Well, holy moly, me oh my

 

The world hadn't changed. Everyone was still wearing masks. However, Josh was happy to see his friends. Honestly, Slater was the last person he ever expected and of course, there was Omaha pushing Josh out of the hospital in a wheelchair and Minnie holding his hand.

Not that it was a ten o'clock TV segment. Still, there was plenty he knew cheering him on and he could barely breathe in all the happiness. Naturally, he looked around dazed and confused. It was a good thing he was wearing a mask too.

Later, at home, there was Omaha and Slater gathered around. "Definitely, still the three amigos," Omaha said with a broad smile, giving him the fist bump.

All Josh could do was muster up a nod. Slater was the kid he'd always been.

"What have you two been up to?" Josh wanted to know. Minnie was busy in the kitchen. Honestly, he couldn't wait to have her sitting next to him on the couch and his arm around her, watching shows only the baby girls liked.

"Not a lot," Omaha said he was still working, even if a lot of it was from home.

"I got on at the grocery store," Slater told him he was in the meat department. He mentioned he'd been driving a truck.

"But..what about Jess?" Josh couldn't help but wince.

"I'm sure she's busy," Slater almost smiled in response. Finally, he mentioned the divorce. "I'm sure..she's OK."

"But why?" Josh wanted to know as if maybe he was too helpless to do anything anymore. 

"Oh, that's too big of a question to answer," Slater's toothy grin gave way to a somber look. "She wanted it..so.."

"I'm sorry man.."

"You know, what a big kid I am," Slater was practically teary-eyed. "Guess she decided she was tired of raising me."

Naturally, Josh wanted to know when it happened and why hadn't he told him sooner. Slater only cleared his throat and said he better help with the dishes. Minnie needed a break, he said as he got Omaha to help him.

Finally, Minnie arrived and Josh knew it was no time to dwell on Slater. She sat next to him, and he could feel her hesitation, but then she put her arms around him and hugged him close. Finally, he felt he was home.