In addition to lunch, Dallas now lived for Tuesdays and Thursdays, which were the days that Nathaniel came over to ‘tutor’ him. They usually rushed through their homework so that they could either play games with Rico or go out into the garage where Dallas showed Nathaniel the projects he was working on. Nathaniel was surprised when he saw Dallas’ weight machine, which made Dallas laugh.

“What, did you think all this bulk was natural?” Dallas asked, pointing at his thick arms. “No way dude! Rosalie’s brother-in-law owns a gym a few towns over and he helped me set this up when I started high school. I guess Rosalie said something to her sister about being afraid I’d get beaten up because of our family’s reputation, so Alejo decided to step in, in case I needed to defend myself. If anything, the muscle makes people think twice about messing with me, but I actually enjoy the exercise. It’s a good stress release.”

Nathaniel was flushing with embarrassment, but he grinned.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he said and then his grin faded. “I’m sorry your family doesn’t feel safe in Cooper’s Creek. It’s not right that people say all those bad things about you guys, especially when you’re some of the best people I’ve met!”

“Eh, it stopped bothering me a while ago,” Dallas admitted. “And it’s true that Dad’s pretty relentless when he decides to sue someone. Ruthless, even! He says he’s got to win so that he can collect his paycheck from the other party instead of his client. But he also tries to only accept cases where there’s a clear case that someone’s being screwed over…he says it’s his way of keeping the balance of the world.”

Nathaniel nodded. “I’ve never met your dad, but I saw him once when he came to the church to talk to my father about something. My father wasn’t very happy after the visit, even though they were both polite to each other.”

“Well, don’t worry about accidentally running into Dad here,” Dallas replied. “He works late and doesn’t always make it home in time for dinner. He IS always there to put Rico to bed - they have this whole bedtime ritual - but I doubt you’ll see Dad while you’re here.”

“I’m not worried,” Nathaniel said.

But the next Tuesday when Rob Carpenter did unexpectedly arrive home early, Nathaniel definitely looked nervous. He and Dallas were playing cards with Rico in the living room when they heard the front door close and a loud voice declared, “Damn, it’s good to be home!”

Rico’s face lit up. “Daddy!”

The little boy abandoned his cards and ran to greet his father. Nathaniel shot Dallas a strained look, as if he’d been caught trespassing. Dallas did his best to give him a reassuring smile, although the truth was he was a little nervous too. Rob Carpenter had a low opinion of Reverend Westerson (the reason for which he never elaborated at home) and Dallas didn’t want his dad to decide Nathaniel was never welcome again.

“It’s alright, he knows you’re here,” he told Nathaniel. “I’ll introduce you to him.”

They stood up just as Robert Carpenter, Esq. walked into the living room, dragging Rico along with one of his legs. Dallas inherited most of his looks from his father: they both had dark brown hair and hazel eyes along with a tall, bulky frame. But while most of Dallas’ bulk was from muscle, Rob’s was definitely softer around the middle. Still, judging from the way he rough-housed with the giggling Rico, he had more than enough energy to contend with a five-year-old.

“ ‘Evening gentlemen,” Rob said when he spotted the two teens. “Dallas…Nathaniel.”

He fixed Nathaniel with a keen stare and Dallas saw Nathaniel visibly flinch. Rob must’ve noticed it too, because his gaze softened and he held out his hand to him.

“I’m Dallas’ father,” he said. “Rosalie told me you have a tendency to be polite, so please just call me ‘Rob’. It’s a pleasure to meet my son’s best friend.”

Nathaniel blushed as he shook the proffered hand.

“Did Dallas really say I’m his best friend?” he asked.

Dallas blushed too. He’d only told his father that he considered Nathaniel his friend, but it was true – Nathaniel WAS his best friend.

Rob grinned. “If you have any doubt, I think Dallas’ red face is more than enough evidence to prove it.”

Nathaniel looked at Dallas, which only made his face feel more hot. Nathaniel smiled beautifully.

“He’s my best friend too,” he said softly.

Dallas had to will himself not to pull Nathaniel into his arms and embrace him. Fortunately, Rico chose that moment to let go of his dad’s leg and he popped up between them.

“What about me? Am I your friend?” he demanded of Nathaniel.

“Yes Rico, you’re my friend too,” Nathaniel replied, and he ruffled Rico’s hair the same way that Dallas and Rosalie did.

Rob watched all this with a smile. “Well, carry on with your game boys – I’m off to kiss my wife.”

Rico made a face and dragged the other two back to the interrupted card game. Dallas kept glancing over at Nathaniel to make sure he was alright, but all of his friend’s earlier nervousness was gone. Nathaniel didn’t even seem bothered when Rob returned to the living room a few minutes later (now dressed in casual clothes) and addressed him again.

“Nathaniel, Rosalie made lasagna for dinner tonight,” he announced. “Would you be interested in joining us?”

For a moment Nathaniel’s face lit up with hope and excitement, but then he seemed to shrink down.

“I…I’d like to,” he said. “But I think my parents are expecting me home for dinner tonight.”

Rob nodded. “How about I call your father and tell him about the invitation?”

An expression of dread came over Nathaniel’s face.

“That’s really not necessary sir,” he said quickly. “I don’t want to impose…”

“Nathaniel,” Rob said patiently. “If you want to stay, I’ll arrange it. I can be charming when I need to be. Where do you think Rico gets it from? We’d love to have you a little longer tonight…you’re not imposing at all. If anything, it’s us imposing ourselves on you.”

Nathaniel glanced over at Dallas, who smiled at him. Slowly, he gave a weak smile in return and nodded at Rob.

“Please sir,” he said. “That would be really nice of you.”

“Nice nothing!” Rob declared, grinning. “I haven’t talked to the Reverend in an age – it’ll be a delight!”

He walked over to the landline phone they kept in the hall and they heard him dialing. All three boys crouched at the door, eavesdropping on Rob’s conversation with Reverend Westerson. Dallas’ father grinned and winked at them before he began speaking in a jovial voice.

“Hello, am I speaking with Reverend Westerson?” he said into the receiver. “Ah, good evening Reverend! This is Rob Carpenter…No, nothing’s wrong….Yes, Nathaniel is still here. In fact, he’s been so helpful to Dallas that my wife and I wanted to invite him to have dinner with our family tonight. He said he’d have to check with you, but we’d really like to show him our appreciation for all of his hard work these last few weeks. He’s a real credit to you, sir…Yes, he’s right here. Should I put him on?...OK, here he is.”

Rob pulled away from the phone and held it out to Nathaniel with an encouraging smile. Nathaniel came over and took it, his brow furrowing as he put the receiver to his ear.

“It’s me, Father,” he said. “Yes, they did invite me to dinner. Mrs. Carpenter made lasagna…I wouldn’t mind staying, it smells very good and they seem very grateful to have me…No, he only asked me if I wanted dinner…OK…OK…Yes Father, I understand…I will ask.”

Then he held the phone down for a minute.

“He says I can stay, but only if you give me a ride back home,” he informed Dallas’ father. “Both of my parents are going to be busy with church groups tonight and they won’t be able to pick me up.”

Rob nodded and gestured for the phone. Nathaniel instantly handed it over.

“Hello, Reverend?” Rob said into the phone. “Yes, of course we’ll give him a ride…Back by 8? Yes, I think we can manage that. I’ll personally drive him…Thank you sir…Yes, you have a good evening too. Good night.”

With that, he hung up the phone and beamed at Nathaniel.

“Well?” he asked, as if waiting for applause. “How did I do?”

Nathaniel grinned. “Perfect, sir. I can see where Rico gets it from.”

Rob laughed. “An excellent answer. Now go wash your hands – it’s dinnertime!”