New Friend in the Winter

Envious Dinner

I looked at the time. It was already 20 minutes past the end of my shift. I had been working with the Crowley's cow so much I had actually lost track of time! That didn't happen very often, but the Crowley's were an amazing family and had a wonderful farm. Their animals were well taken care of. The only problem with today's animal was it had caught a hint of pneumonia and wasn't acting right at all. They brought it in just in time. The old heifer definitely needed a few shots and some caring for. I gave the Mr. Crowley a bag of needles that contained medicine in it and sent them and their cow on their way.

I headed off to my office and got my jacket then took off on my way home. I decided that since sheriff Boyd just got off duty I would speed and take the short way home. I cranked up my old Neon X-Terra and headed off towards the house. I had a lot to do and not nearly enough time to get it all done. I needed to take a shower, bathe and dress Christian then help my mom get the table set. It wasn't enough time to do it all. I was going to have to take my own shower and bathe Christian with me.

Once I pulled into the drive I noticed that Skylar's car was there. Great, now We had even more guest for dinner! Oh well. I didn't mind considering that she was my best friend and played a huge part in Christians life. I swerved into the drive and shut off my car leaping from it and bursting through the door.

"Howdy sweetheart!" my mom smiled at me.

"Howdy mamma!" I hugged her. Over her shoulder I saw Christian sitting in my dads lap. He was bathed and dressed!

"Mamamama!" Christian slid off his papa's lap and waddled over to me.

"Hey baby boy!" I picked him up and kissed him.

"How was work?" Skylar smiled with her arms crossed. Yep she was ticked off about something. That was the only time she smiled and crossed her arms at the same time.

"Busy as always. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go take a shower." I put Christian down. "Thank ya'll for bathing the baby and getting him ready for tonight!"

As I opened my door I could hear Skylar's foot steps coming down the hall. I knew that I was about to be griped out for some unknown reason. I remember when we were kids we would always gripe each other out just because we were having a bad day. It was probably another one of those. I set my bag down on my dresser then went into my bathroom. I turned on the shower and that was when I heard my door close. Here it comes in 3... 2... 1...

"Adalayde! You could have told me you and Nick were seeing each other!" Skylar leaned on the bathroom door.

"Because I just started seeing him a few days ago!" I said. "Will you please turn so I can get in the shower?!"

"You could have told me!" Skylar turned around until I got into the shower then sat on the toilet.

"I can't help that I have a job, a child, and needs that have to be met Skylar!" I said.

"You didn't have to take Christian if it was going to be sooo hard on you!" Skylar began getting smart.

"I DID THAT FOR YOU SKYLAR LYNN AND I'M GLAD THAT I DID EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY SO SHUT UP!" I snapped at her a little harder than I probably should have because she started sounding cracky.

"I - I just don't want to loose my best friend and nephew." Skylar pleaded.

"Skylar you know I wouldn't let that happen."

"I'm just so afraid that will happen without notice!" she was flat out crying now. "I'M SORRY!"

"Skylar it's okay!" I said

"No it's not! I just griped you our for no reason! That's not fair to you!" she was bawling now.

"I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped out of the shower still soaked and was attacked by a bawling Skylar. She wrapped her arms around my neck and cried and cried. I stood still shocked for a minute then finally came to my senses and hugged her back. Even though all I had on was a towel she and I hugged for a good 5 minutes before she calmed down and finally stepped out of the bathroom so I could get dressed. We then went into the living room where Christian was playing airplane with Nick in the floor. I smiled. When I glanced over my shoulder I could see Skylar lagging behind so I smiled and locked arms with her. Together we went into the kitchen to help my mom with dinner while the boys played and goofed off.