#Chapter 41 - Eli and Aldo

Aldo I leaned against the hood of the old Corvette, my gaze fixed on the soft line of trees around the lake as I tried to clear my mind. Lately, my usual distractions—guns, fighting, and cars—weren’t working. My mind kept drifting back to … The slight rasp of a throat clearing dragged me back from whatever cloud I’d been about to drift off to. I turned up the long rear driveway towards the guesthouse to find Eli Bennett staring at his shoes as he kicked an errant stone. Eli Bennett—my son. “Hey, Eli.” I tried to keep my voice light, friendly. Approachable. “Whatcha doing out here?” “I um …” His gaze flickered briefly upwards before returning to the stone at his feet. “I have a question.” The next time he glanced up, I waved him over. Hesitantly, he closed the distance between us to mimic my posture against the car. My smile was genuine. “What’s up?” “Can you help me with something?” He crossed his arms—truly mimicking my posture—and tilted his head up towards me.