Our Sandbox

sixteen - piper

The Howard's house smells like cinnamon and turkey. 

And it's perfect. 

It's Thanksgiving, and the entire Howard family is racing around the house like wild animals. Little cousins playing tag on the steps, the Nolan and his uncle playing football on the lawn. All the women are huddled in the kitchen, aprons tied around their waists and their hair up in buns. 

It looks like a scene from a 1960s sitcom, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it. The classic charm of the buzzing house is alive, and I feel right at home, cozy and warm. 

"Piper? Could you come help put some things in the fridge?" Mrs. H calls from the kitchen.

I eagerly wander over to the busy kitchen, my hair already in a bun. 

"At your service, m'am." I say, giving her a half-hearted salute. 

She chuckles and rolls her eyes playfully. She turns back to the counter, picking up a pan, and handing it to me carefully. 

"Here." She says, and I gulp. The pan is about as long as my wing-span. 

You got this, Piper. All you have to do is stick it in the fridge. 

"Alright." I say nervously, taking it into my hands. The smell of warm mashed potatoes wafts up my nose and I inhale deeply. Mrs. H has always been an amazing chef. 

I waddle over to their massive fridge in the corner of the kitchen, the massive steel doors looking terribly ominous. 

I take a deep breath and maneuver my arms, attempting to open one of the huge doors. 

"Here, let me help." 

I jump slightly at the sound of Nolan's whisper, as he gently moves me to the side and open the door. 

"Such a gentleman." I tease, and swiftly slide the pan onto one of the many shelves stacked high with Tupperware and other assorted foods. 

I turn around, stretching my arms slightly. Nolan is slightly sweaty, his dress shirt unbuttoned revealing a tight undershirt. 

"You look like a suburban husband." I giggle, fixing his shirt buttons in place for him. 

"Just what I was going for." He says, his voice low. It's probably so husky because he's been running around for about an hour with his uncles and older cousins. 

Nolan always had a huge family, something I was always extremely jealous of. It had always been my mom and I ever since the divorce, and Jerry had only just come into our lives with Jack. 

I sigh slightly, thinking of Jack's pudgy little face. He's the one I miss the most. 

I finish buttoning Nolan's shirt, and when I look up at his face, he has a sort of glint in his eye. 

"You alright?" I ask. 

"Yeah," He replies throatily, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. "Fine."

"You look beautiful, by the way." He says with his usual smile. I blush, looking down at my maroon collared dress with pale heels. With the added height, I gain a little more on him, but he still towers over me.

"Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself."

There's a charged moment between us, but it is broken by the ringing of the doorbell. 

"I'll get it!" Nolan shouts to his mom, just like he would always do as a child. He grabs my hand and races towards the door like a kid, swinging it open.