I'll wait for you

Chapter 8: Life's A Rollercoaster

It was 7 am and Dorothy was up getting breakfast started for the family. She went to the garden to pick fresh fruit and cooked all of their favorites: eggs, bacon, waffles, diced potatoes, sausage, fresh squeezed orange juice, and biscuits. The aroma of the food filled the house, waking Michelle up from her sleep. Michelle walked into the kitchen and saw her father Otis sitting at the table, drinking coffee and reading his newspaper.

"Good morning, Daddy," Michelle greeted him.

Otis put his paper down and said, "Good morning, sweetheart. Did you get plenty of rest?"

"Yes, I got the best sleep I've had in a long time. The only reason I'm up is that the smell of the food woke me up. It has me hungry," Michelle replied cheerfully.

"I'm ready to eat myself. Your mama is in there moving like a sloth," Otis remarked.

"Since I'm moving so slow, come in here and help me, Otis," Dorothy chimed in.

Otis lifted his paper back up, pretending to be busy. "I'll just be patient and wait. You got it, baby."

Michelle laughed at her daddy's actions and asked her mother, "Mama, do you want me to help you?"

"Yes. Can you set the table and get the jelly and ketchup out?" Dorothy replied.

Michelle went to the refrigerator to retrieve the items her mother had asked for and let her know there was no ketchup and only a little bit of jelly left.

Dorothy fussed at Otis, "I thought you went to the grocery store the other day."

Otis started rubbing his head, "I knew there was something I forgot to do. I'm sorry, baby."

Michelle volunteered, "Don't worry about it, mama. I'll go get it.

Dorothy was pleased and said, "Thank you, baby. How about you wake Jasmine up and take the four-wheeler to Corner market? They will have it. You can show Jasmine around town. By the time y'all make it back, I'll be done cooking."

Michelle went to wake Jasmine up, and they both got ready to go to the store. They hopped on the four-wheeler, and Michelle took Jasmine on a longer route to the store. Jasmine was amazed by some of the things she saw while riding around town. She had never seen people driving tractors on the main roads before, and this was her first time being this close to a lake.

Finally, Michelle and Jasmine arrived at the store. Michelle went inside to get what they needed, while Jasmine stayed outside on the four-wheeler. Suddenly, Jasmine felt someone tap on her shoulder. When she turned around to see who it was, she saw a short guy in overalls, with big glasses, and a big afro standing next to her. Jasmine was caught by surprise, "Oh hey. I'm Jasmine, What's your name?"

I'm Paul," the young teen said. "Nice to meet you. Did you just move down here? I've never seen you around before."

Jasmine shook her head. "No, I'm from Chattanooga. My mom and I are just visiting my grandparents down here."

Paul was curious. "Who are your grandparents?"

Jasmine replied, "Otis and Dorothy Stevens."

Paul was shocked. "Mr. Otis is your grandfather? I didn't know that. Your grandfather is a good man. We love Mr. Otis."

Jasmine was proud to hear someone speak so highly about her grandfather. "Yes, that's my PawPaw."

Paul asked, "Well, we're about to start a game of kickball, and we're short a player. Do you want to play?"

Jasmine was confused. She had never heard of kickball. "What is that?

Paul was trying to explain the game of Kickball to Jasmine when he realized that she had never heard of it before. He asked her what kind of activities they do in the city, to which she responded that they go to arcades, skating rinks, bowling alleys, mini golf courses, laser tag arenas, and paintball fields. Jasmine then asked Paul if they have anything like that around their area and he replied that they don't, but they do have a Peach Festival tonight.