Chapter 3
As Ty pulls up to the trailer, he notices Caleb's truck parked outside. Walking in, he immediately sees Caleb sitting at the table drinking a beer. Caleb says, as he holds up the bottle, "Hey brother...don't worry, this isn't the last one. I brought more." Ty responds stoically, "What are you doing here, Caleb? I didn't think you would be back for a few more days." Caleb replies, "I just figured it was time to get back. It's kinda late. Where have you been?" Now Obviously irritated, Ty abruptly replies, "What are you…My mother?" Caleb answers, "Whoa...attitude! Don't bite my head off...What's eating you?" Ty replies, "Nothing...nothing's eating me. Listen, I'm sorry okay...I'm just a bit tired is all." Caleb says, "It sounds like more than that. I know you too well Ty, so tell me, what's going on?" Ty takes a beer from the fridge, opens it, and takes a seat at the table across from Caleb.
Ty's explanation for his sudden mood swing didn't satisfy Caleb's curiousity and he's not going to drop the subject until he finds out what's bothering him. After a few beers, Ty finally begins to explain..."
"...Wow! That sucks man. So what did Amy have to say about it?" Ty answers, "Nothing...I mean, I didn't say anything about it to her and I would appreciate it if you didn't either." Caleb replies, "You have my word on it. So, what do you plan to do now?" Ty replies, "Nothing...I'm just going to go on with my plan...work and school...all that stuff." Caleb asks, "And Amy?" Ty replies, "We'll see...I mean, she could have said something, but she didn't. So, I don't know." Caleb responds, "Yeah...I know what you mean. Anyway, whatever you decided to do, you have my full support. Now, let's put a dent in those beers I brought."
...
"I'm heading into town this morning, grandpa. I needed to go by the diner, but if there's anything you need, let me know and I'll pick it up for you." Jack replies, "No, there's nothing, Lou, but I think you're going into town for some other reason...maybe to see Ty?" Lou replies, "What makes you think that?" Jack responds, "Because I know you. I saw how you were looking at Ty last night at the dinner table. There's something going on, so tell me...what is it?" Lou replies, "Well, I was thinking of going by the clinic to see him. Didn't you notice it last night...how he seemed a little distant…you know, outta sorts." Jack responds, "Yeah, I guess you're right. He did seem not to be himself. This doesn't have anything to do with him asking Amy to marry him does it?" Lou replies, "Maybe...I'm just worried that something is bothering him and you know...curious what it might be." Jack says, "Let it be Lou. I'm sure it's nothing. Amy just got back, so if there's something going on, which I doubt, then just let them work it out on their own."
For one of the few times, Lou decides to follow Jack's advice and chooses not to speak to Ty. Instead, she decides she'll continue to quiz Amy whenever the opportunity arises to see if everything is okay with the two of them, particularly Ty.
...
"So, Amy...it's been over a week now since you've been back. How's everything between you and Ty?" Amy replies, "Okay I guess." Lou asks, "You guess? What does that mean?" Amy answers, "I mean everything seems fine. It's just that we don't seem to talk or see each other as often as we use to. It's like he always has an excuse to cut our dates short and then there's the romantic thing...you know." Lou responds, "Oh...OH! That's not good! Have you said anything to him about it?" Amy replies, "I was just hoping that he would get over whatever it is that is bothering him, but..." Lou interrupts, "No buts...you need to talk to him about it and find out what's going on." Amy responds, "I was thinking the same thing. It's been going on too long. Ty's in Calgary for the rest of the week, staying with one of his classmates. He needs to schedule the classes he wants and see about fast tracking." Lou replies, "So he's going to do that?" Amy answers, "Yeah, I think he is. I'm just afraid though that it'll cut into what little time we already spend together."
Lou asks, "Didn't you two talk about that?" Amy replies, "We did a little, but it seemed like it was going to end in an argument, so I dropped it." Lou asks, "An argument?" Amy replies, "Yeah...he said it was his decision to make. Then he reminded me about something I said to him after I decided to go on the Dark Horse tour about limiting or tying each other down. I didn't think the conversation was going to end well, so I just let it go." Lou comments, "Well, if you think about it, you didn't bother to discuss accepting Renard's offer with Ty before agreeing to go. It probably bothered him a lot, so can you really blame him for bringing it up?" Amy replies, "You're right, I didn't. I was so excited about it after that audition that it never occurred to me to talk to Ty about it first. Besides, I didn't think he would mind anyway. He's always supported everything I wanted to do." Lou replies, "Yeah, he has...whether he liked it or not." Amy asks, "What do you mean by that?" Lou replies, "It's just that it seems you sometimes take him for granted...that's all."
Amy pauses in thought and then says, "You think that might be what's been bothering him? Dad did bring up going on that European tour over dinner and I was wavering. After that Ty didn't seem to be himself. Maybe he was waiting for me to say something to him about it." Lou's not sure that's really the issue with Ty, but agrees, suggesting that Amy speak to him as soon as possible."
...
Sitting at the dinner table, Jack asks, "So Amy, have you heard from Ty yet? Did he get the classes he wanted?" Amy replies, "No, I haven't heard anything. He's suppose to be back tomorrow, so I'll find out then."
Tim walks into the house and says, "Am I late for dinner?" Jack responds, "How can someone be late if they weren't invited?" Everyone at the table chuckles as Tim takes a seat." Lou offers, "I'll get you a plate dad." Tim replies, "Thanks Lou. So, Amy honey, you've decided to go on tour again right?" Jack glares across the table at Tim as he set his knife and fork down. In response, Tim says, "And here we go." Jack replies, "Yeah, here we go...just leave it alone, Tim! There's no rush." Amy responds, "I haven't given it any thought just yet, dad. I have other things on my mind right now." Tim asks, "Like what? I hope you're planning on another clinic." Amy replies, "I'd rather not talk about it right now." Tim says, "It's something you should be thinking about then. So, where's Ty? I thought he would be here? He shows up to more dinners than I do, but then I guess he has to save on his grocery bill considering how little he makes working part time at the clinic."
Amy glares over at her dad and says, "He's working hard at the clinic and school to get his degree. On top of all that he comes around and helps out here too, when he can. Why can't you understand that!" Jack adds, "Amy's right...he's working much harder than we ever did at his age. So unless you have something constructive to say, I suggest you drop it!" Tim replies, "I know all that and it was just a little constructive criticism. That's all. Listen honey, all I meant was that he should do that fast tracking thing he talked about and get his degree as soon as possible." Amy replies, "He's up in Calgary right now, at the university looking into it." Tim responds, "Good...I hope you're lighting a fire under him to get it done." Jack asks, "Why does everything have to be at full speed with you?" Tim replies, "You gotta push, Jack...push, push, push." That's what we did."
Realizing that Jack is becoming increasingly irritated by Tim's topic of conversation, Lou speaks up before Jack can respond and says, "Okay dad, I think you made you're point, so I suggest we talk about something else." Tim replies, "Fine."
Tim then addresses everyone at the table saying, "Okay then, I'll bet no one can guess who I just saw in town." Jack rolls his eyes and asks, "Okay Tim, you have our attention, so just spit it out, who did you see?"...