Forever Yours: How it all Began

Chapter 32

It's Thanksgiving day, and my apartment is filled with the mouth watering aroma of all the food my mom and I prepared. Jaxon had already called me to let me know that his plans to join us later in the evening had changed. A few of his friends flew in from California and he'd be spending time with them. They were all staying at Jaxon's house and would have dinner at his mom's house. I was ok with that because I could give my parents my undivided attention.

I got up early, took a shower and got myself together so that I could cook breakfast and start a pot of coffee for dad and chai tea for me and mom. Soon my parents were up and dressed. We sat at the table together. 

Before eating, my dad said a prayer of thanksgiving. Once we were done with breakfast, I washed the dishes and cleaned the table. I didn't want my parents to do anything but relax. When I was done cleaning up, I went into the living room and sat on the couch between them. My dad found a station that had some old western movies that he and mom like to watch.

"Baby girl, Jaxon seems to really care for you." My dad said.

I told him that Jaxon expressed his feelings for me early on, but I was still trying to hang on to Andre. I told my parents that Jaxon never disregarded my relationship with Andre and we became good friends. I have to say I really respect Jaxon for not pushing himself on me. We talked a little while longer before I told my parents I was going to my room to take a nap. When I got to my room, my phone was vibrating. I picked it up to see who was texting me. It was Andre.

Andre: Hello beautiful. How are you doing?
Me: I'm fine. How are you doing?
Andre: I'm good. Are you going to watch the game?
Me: You know I'll be watching my favorite team and my favorite player.
Andre: Did you come home?
Me: No, my parents came to Huntsville.
Andre: Ok. Well, enjoy your day. The coach is about to come in so we'll talk later.
Me: Ok. Play hard and have a good game.

I placed my phone back on the nightstand and got under the covers. A nap was calling my name.

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I woke up to my mom calling my name. Checking the time, I see that I slept longer than I'd planned. It's now two o'clock in the afternoon and the Cowboys game starts at three. I got up and went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth again.

My parents were now watching Sanford and Son. I sat between them and asked what time they wanted to eat dinner because I had planned on taking them to see The Galaxy of Lights that will be displayed at the Botanical Gardens.  Mom said we could eat now because she wanted us to be done so we could watch the game. Darah also told me about a neighborhood in south Huntsville that has Christmas light displays. If we have time after going to the Botanical Gardens, we'd go check out the lights at that neighborhood, but if not, we would go the day after.

Dinner was delicious! I believe I ate too much. My little stomach was so tight and I felt miserable. I laid on the couch across my mom's lap. She rubbed my stomach while we watched the game. It felt so good. My mom always knows what to do to make me feel better.

After the game had gone off, it was now dusk dark which is the perfect time to go see the Galaxy of Lights. I grabbed my purse and cell phone as we headed out of the apartment. We all got in the car and were on our way to see the lights. The Botanical Gardens was about a fifteen minute drive from my apartment.

Once we arrived, I paid for entry. The attendant told us to tune into the radio station to listen to Christmas music while looking at the lights. The Galaxy of Lights is a two and a half mile long trail with holiday lights featuring larger than life animated light displays on both sides of the trail. I was in awe of all the displays. There were also art displays from students of the local schools. We really enjoyed seeing the different displays of lights.

After the course ended, I took my parents to see the Space and Rocket Center. According to the travel guide, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is a museum operated by the government of Alabama, showcasing rockets, achievements and artifacts of the U.S. space program. The rocket can be seen from miles away. My parents and I may come back to do a tour. It seems like it would be something fun for us to do. I had already planned to take them to Rainbow Stables so we could ride horses.

It was getting late, so we made our way back to my apartment. When I pulled up to my complex, I saw Jaxon's SUV parked next to my parking space. After I parked, my parents and I got out of the car and made our way to my apartment. Jaxon and his friends got out of his vehicle.

"Tee, did you miss me?" Yelled Eric who is one of Jaxon's friends.

They all ran and hugged me one at a time.

"Yes I missed you Eric." I said while laughing at the guys.

"What about the rest of us?" Whined Jaxon.

"I missed all of you, especially this big baby." I said while pointing to Jaxon.

He ran over and hugged me. I unlocked the door, but like always, Jaxon stopped me so he could walk through. He came back with the thumbs up. We all walked inside after the ok. I asked the guys if they were hungry. You would think they were still growing boys, because they acted like they were starving. I knew they had eaten earlier at Jaxon's parent's house. My mom said she would freshen up and come back to heat up the food so everyone could dive in for seconds. A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Jaxon went to the door, it was Isaac and Darah. It made my heart happy to have my crew hang out with me and meet my parents. We all ate seconds and had dessert. My mom baked chocolate cake, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, and pecan pie.

After we all got our bellies full, we played a few games of spades. Me and my mom shut the house down. Nobody could beat us. My dad said me and mom like to be partners because we cheat well together. Everybody laughed at my dad. My mom told him he was just a sore loser. After everyone left, I cleaned the kitchen, dining room and living room. Mom and I were going Black Friday shopping which meant I only had a few hours to sleep. Thanksgiving day was a wonderful day.