The Tremendous Turmoil of Indigo

Chapter 16

"It's too hot for all that." Harrison said, disagreeing with Tate's suggestion of planning a trip to hike to the Lighthouse in Palo Duro Canyon for Indigo's birthday. "Y'all asses will fall out and need to be airlifted out. And I'm going to tell Melanie Lawson I told y'all not to do it."

"I second that." Xavier agreed.

"You might be right." Tte said

"Might?" Harrison questioned. "Didn't you get sunburned last time with your shenanigans, light skin."

Tate remembered the ailment. He wasn't able to wear a shirt or lay on his back for three days and he flinched from the smallest touch to his skin. Be it Indigo or water. He hadn't planned on falling asleep under the sun but the audiobook sent him into slumber.

"Y'all need to plan the outdoorsy adventures for October through January because May to August ain't the time to catch a heat stroke."

"You can't catch a heat stroke." Xavier clarified.

Harrison shrugged, "Anyways, it's your time." He gestured to Tate.

Tate coated the tip of the pole-stick with chalk, lined the stick up to the red ball and sent it rolling down the pool table to knock a green ball into the left corner pocket. It was game night. One of the traditions that held strong over the years after the many changes to everyone's lives. This week it was being hosted at Larsen's. Downstairs there was a riveting game of Trivial Pursuit happening between Indigo, Saxon, Hazel, Stella & James, the kids, and even Cooper and his dad stuck around for the fun. Tate, Harrison, and Xavier however were upstairs in the gameroom. Tate always ushered them upstairs since very few people in the house knew how to play billiards. Indigo didn't understand the rules fully and the girls weren't tall enough or had the coordination to maneuver the sticks without hitting each other or tripping someone. Plus, they lost interest quickly.

"New plan." Tate started as Xavier sidled to the table for his turn. "Camping at Dahlia ranch. We can barbecue. Indigo's favorite. Ride the horses and relax by the campfire and if it gets too outdoorsy there's the estate and guest houses for refuge."

"Now, you being smart." Harrison informed.

"Shut the fuck up. I'm always brilliant."

"Five dollars for the jar." Thyme said skipping into the room, her favorite mode of transportation besides her skateboard. "Daddy, can I tell you something without your snitching?"

Snitching. To snitch. It was becoming her new favorite word and an annoyance to him. At least it wasn't Damn anymore. All it took was Indigo hissing out the word after stubbing her toe when the girl was six, which was the reason they had a swear jar to begin with.

"Ladybug, you can tell me anything." Tate affirmed. "What is it?"

Thyme glanced at her nephew then gestured for her dad to kneel down and once he did she whispered in his ear, "Mama's crying in the kitchen. She said she was fine but she looked sad."

Tate stood up and took in his daughter's concerned expression, "I'll handle it. Don't worry."

He stroked her cheek and his words gave her the reassurance she needed. Her smile returned and she gave him an abrupt hug before skipping back out.

"What's that about it?" Xavier asked.

"I'm going to check on something." Tate informed ignoring the question. "Play without me. I'll be back."

This was the third instance of her crying in a week; the first in Zane's nursery and the second time he heard her crying in the bathroom during her nightly soak before bed. His frustration amplified and he was going to find out what was going on with his wife.