Just friends

Chapter 12- Just Family

Harper

I wake up to see Alex is already gone and I'm guessing her Dad already came to pick her up. I turn to my phone and see Alex sent me a message.

From Alex:
"Tell your family again that I'm so thankful they had me over. My Dad came to pick me up and everything is ok so far!! I will update you if something happens<3"

At least she sent me a text letting me know she's ok. I have to leave early tomorrow morning and yes it's very soon after Thanksgiving but it's because I have work the night I leave. The owner/my boss is very.... let's just say this in the nicest way.... a fucking bitch. It gets busy around holidays and all she cares about is money flow, understandable but a pain in my ass because I have to drive 15 hours within a couple days.

It's around 9am till I head downstairs and see my brother is the only one up. Our family is made up of long and heavy sleepers. My brother is sitting in the living room watching TV and I head into the kitchen and decide to make some breakfast for everyone. My grandma made an amazing meal and I wanted to thank her.

My grandma actually taught me to cook. She made me a cook book as a graduation present of all of our favorite meals, deserts and all sorts of other dishes. I don't know what I'd do without her, she's the glue to our family and the one that keeps us together.

"Can I help?" Landon requests.

"Landon you can't cook, I don't want you ruining the food." I mocked.

Landon rolls his eyes, "I've gotten better! You'll see if you let me helppp." He says.

"Last time I came to visit you, you couldn't even cook ramen noodles in the microwave so no I'm not going to let you help." I snap.

"Alright fine. Your loss though because if you had my help in the kitchen the food would be even more amazing." Landon snarls.

I stick my tongue out at him as he walks away and I continue to cook eggs, bacon, pancakes and make a pot of coffee. My family also lives on coffee, they are 10% water and 90% coffee and I wouldn't be surprised if it runs through our blood stream too.

Everyone finally wakes up and starts heading downstairs for breakfast. I honestly love cooking for people, I can put my love into food or whatever the reference is.

"Oh sweetheart you didn't have to do this! I was planning on making breakfast for everybody." My grandma says.

"You are exhausted and we're planning the whole meal last night for 2 days. Sit down and relax for once, I don't mind." I plead.

She sits down and we all enjoy breakfast and the little time we have together. My Aunt Callie and Uncle Simon leave today and have to be at the airport by 4. Sometimes I wish I could have a relationship like them, they've been together for 16 years and still haven't gotten married. I believe they are soulmates and I always wonder why they haven't decided to get married but they say every time that why should they label themselves married? They love each other and that's all that matters.

It's a big commitment for 16 years but they are perfect for each other. My Aunt is full of sunshine and puts my Uncle's happiness before hers which honestly surprises me because my Uncle is grumpy half the time and so serious but I've only seen him smile when they are together.

We all spend the day trying to be happy knowing that my Dad isn't here. It's been hard recently for my grams being the only one to stick by his side. I stepped out of his chaos years ago.

He hasn't been the same since he let his disorder take over him.

FLASHBACK STORY**

It started when I had just turned 9 and school just ended. My Dad came to pick my brother and I up and he was late. When we got in the car he told us to close our eyes and count to our favorite number, Landon and I gave each other a confused look. This wasn't like our dad, he was goofy and fun and we didn't have many moments where he was this serious.