Growing Up A Graham

Chapter 3

Destin:

I smiled to myself as I read the flirty text Royalty just sent to me. I never thought I'd be able to pull older girls but she definitely wants it. Quickly replying back, I then tossed my phone on my bed and made my way downstairs to talk to dad.

Since early this morning, him and Uncle 40 have been in the studio working on something, which is a bit strange because they just got back from recording in Atlanta. I knocked on the door a few time before getting a "come in" response.

Dad was in the booth with his eyes locked on his blackberry phone so he didn't notice me.

"What's up kid?" Uncle 40 motioned me over

"Not much, just wanted to speak with dad," I shrugged before taking a seat next to him

"He should be finishing up in a minute, how's school going?"

"Good, I have a marching band expedition tonight. You guys are coming right?"

"Hm, this is the first that I'm hearing about this but yeah we'll be there."

"What's going on Destin?" Dad questioned as he walked out of the booth

"Nothing really, just wanted to come down here to remind you about the expedition tonight."

"Oh yeah, that's for uh... Choir, right?"

Choir? Really? I've only been playing the snare drum since like 5th grade.

"It's for marching band dad... I'm rank leader this year, we've talked about this a few times," I furrowed my eyebrows

How could he not remember?

"Right, right," he mumbled as he typed away on his phone

I don't know why I even try with him anymore. I thought having something music related as a hobby would bring us closer together. I guess I was wrong though. Standing up, I straightened out my shirt before walking out of our in home studio. Looking to my right, I noticed mom in the kitchen so I figured I'd ask to see if she was at least coming.

"Hey mom, you know how I have an expedition tonight, right?"

"Mhm, at 7:30," she placed a bowl of soup and a sprite can on a tray, "Shouldn't you be getting ready? After I take this up to Brayden I'm going to change so we can get going."

"Ok, I'm headed upstairs so I'll take Brayden his food and I'll check to see if Evelyn wants to come too."

"Well that's very nice of you," she smiled

"It's the least I could do for such a great mom."

"D'aww, I love you graham cracker," she pulled me into a hug

As much as I cringe at that nickname, I couldn't help but to think back to all of our memories shared together. It's been a very long time since I've spent time with her, and now that I think about it... This is the first time we've hugged in months to even a year.

It seems as if my dad is never going to come around but that's ok. I have my mom and even though I haven't been the most respectful, I'm going to change that.

"I love you too. Mama bear."

___________

Evelyn:

I added a few more touches to my new masterpiece before taking a step back and looking at the completed creation.

It was a small portrait of the beautiful woman I was named after. Although she passed away before I was born, through my paintings she feels very near. Pulling out my phone, I snapped a quick picture of it and sent it off to mom and dad. She replied almost immediately telling me how amazing it was while dad just left me on read. Maybe he wants to complement it in person.