Faded Away

|FIFTEEN|

Sunday.

Luke comes home for two weeks tomorrow. I could say I was happy to finally have him home but that would be an understatement. I was beyond happy, ecstatic even.

I was up at dawn and decided to get a head start on cleaning before the boys woke up. I threw on shorts and a t shirt then put on some music as I got to work.

The boys were up around 9:30 so I started on breakfast. Til helped me cook while Bo and Tate played with their match box cars in the living room. Breakfast was finally ready so I served up the plates and we all gathered at the table then joined hands to say grace.

"Okay who's turn is it today?" I asked.

"Yours." The boys said with mischievous smiles plastered on their faces. I knew it really wasn't but I went ahead anyway.

"I thank you Lord for this meal and these three wonderful boys who have welcomed me so graciously into their home and family. I also thank you for their amazing father and uncle who is living out his dream each and everyday. Please continue to bless us and provide us with guidance in our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen."

"Amen." The three bright eyed boys repeated in unison.

"You added extra to the prayer today." Til said, quietly. 

"I know. It felt necessary. And he's coming home tomorrow so it made it even better." I smiled. Til grinned and fist bumped me before shoving a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

I cleared the table and everyone's dishes after we had finished eating. I filled up the sink with soapy water and the dishes to start washing them. I grabbed a clean dish towel out of the drawer when Til offered to wash the dishes for me. I thanked him then headed upstairs to change since I decided that I'd take the boys out for something fun today. I put on black shorts, a blue tank top and a pair of Converse on before grabbing my sunglasses along with my purse and cellphone.

Once downstairs, I noticed Til had done more than wash the dishes. He had dried then put them away, wiped down the stove and countertops as well as swept the kitchen floor.

"Bo, Tate! Go put on your shoes and grab a hat or some sunglasses." I said. They quickly forgot about their cars and barreled up the stairs.

"Where are we going?" Til asked as I picked up the boys' mess.

"Wherever y'all want. It doesn't matter." I put the cars back in the bin then pulled twenty dollars out of my purse and handed it to Til. He looked at me wide eyed and didn't know whether or not he should take it.

"What's this for?"

"For helping me cook breakfast then cleaning up the kitchen by yourself afterwards. Save it. Don't tell Bo, Tate, or Luke okay? It's our little secret." I smiled as he pulled out a billfold from the pocket his shorts and neatly placed it inside. Bo and Tate came running back down the stairs a few moments later.

Once we all got settled in the truck, I drove to the gas station to fill up the tank and get snacks for the four of us.

"Alright, where to?" I said, as I pulled out on to the road once more. Bo and Tate merely shrugged so I turned to look at Til.

"Could we, um.. Well you see, one of my buddies' dad does drag racing and he's actually racing today. Do you think we could go watch the races?" Til asked nervously.

"Yeah, I think it would be fun! Don't you think boys?" I said turning my attention to the two in the backseat. They agreed with excitement so I had Til give me directions on how to get to the dragway.