Selene's New Moon

Chapter 22: Mr Adams

It took a little while, but Dwyer and Aiden did eventually calm down.  Kenji and Aiden both napped on and off during our trip, but I was too engaged in watching the scenery as we drove to sleep at all myself.   It was very relaxing, especially with the music playing low and all the guys quiet.   We had driven for what seemed forever and the sun was starting to set when we followed Owen and Felix off of the highway.   We then drove for a while longer through a town and then into the middle of nowhere.  By the time we were pulling up to a lone house,  I was hungry again and more than a little tired.

  The house had a rustic feel to it and was a little on the small side.  It was in need of some touch ups too.   The drive leading up to it was very old and practically gravel in some places.   Both of our cars pull off and park in the yard next to a really old looking and brown, 2 door car.  I am surprised at how stiff I feel as I try to get out of the car.  I notice the guys are all moving really slowly too, so I guess I am not the only one.  When I finally pull my body out, I go up on my toes and stretch my arms up above my head in an effort to stretch my whole body all at once.   Loud popping sounds have me looking over at Aiden, who is twisting his body.  The sounds are coming from his back and it makes me cringe a little.   He sighs in relief though.  He sees me watching him and winks at me.  I give a little smile back. 

  The boys all start walking to the front door of the little house and I follow along behind Aiden.  Kenji waits for me to pass ahead of him and then follows behind me.  Now that I am walking, I feel a pressing need for a lady's room....  Owen has reached the door first.  A man opens the door and then lets us all in.  We wind up kind of bottle necking in the entryway  and I bounce a little from one foot to the other, in a little wee wee dance.   Owen and the unknown man are exchanging pleasantries, but I guess my little dance has not gone unnoticed. 

  "Before we go any further Mr. Adams,  can you point us in the direction of your bathroom?  It has been a long drive."    Owen asks.

  I am still not able to see the man, but I hear that his voice is gruff and aged when he answers, "course,  it's  straight down this hall, first door on the right." 

  I find myself being pushed up through the guys gently, and then Owen is guiding me down a hall with his hand on my back.   The relief I feel when I am able to do my business is great and I try to finish up at quickly as possible, knowing that everyone else probably needs to use the room as much as I did. 

  When I step out of the room, Felix takes my place but I notice Aiden and Dwyer are both missing now.  Kenji sees me looking around .

  "They went to use the bushes," he says in answer to my unasked question.  It stumps me for a moment, but it doesn't take too long to figure it out.  Everybody gets a chance to freshen up and I hear noises coming from the kitchen that I expect is Mr. Adams.   I can also smell something rich and meaty.  It reminds me again that I am hungry and my tummy growls. I find myself heading towards the heavenly smell.  I stop when I see an older man whom I assume is Mr. Adams.  He is wearing a pair of worn jeans , socks, and a flannel shirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows.   His brown hair is a little shaggy and has a lot of gray in it.  There is also a lot of gray in his short beard.  My eyes go to the large pot that he is currently stirring.

  "Well hello little angel."  The gruff voice startles me and reminds me that I am in a stranger's house. 

  "I bet y'all are hungry.  Help me with the bowls will ya.  They are in that cabinet there," he says and then points at a cabinet.  I can hear the guys talking and moving about.  I think some of the guys are bringing in  our bags now.  Felix and Owen are close by and I can see them both from the kitchen.   I look back at Mr. Adams who is watching me  curiously, and then to the cabinet.  I decide to go for it and slowly walk to the cabinet.  I pull out a bunch of mismatched bowls.  Owen walks into the kitchen, passing by me closely.  I hear the clattering of silverware.  Soon we are all packed into the small kitchen and boys are grabbing spoons and bowls.  I find out that the simmering pot is filled with chili.  Mr. Adams had also prepared shredded cheese, onions and sour cream for topping.  There is also corn bread.  I fill my bowl and grab a slice of bread.  I am not sure where to go now though-  the kitchen is chaos with all of these guys in it.  I am not stuck for long-  Owen catches my elbow and nudges me to a chair at the small table next to Mr. Adams.   A glass of water is then placed in front of me.  I glance up nervously at Mr. Adams and  he winks at me as he fills his mouth with a spoonful of chili.  A moment later Owen sits in a chair next to me.  I look around and see that some of the guys are leaning against the counters with their bowls in hand, and I can see the others are in the living room seated there.  I dig into my bowl, now more comfortable because Owen is beside me, and then close my eyes as I get my first taste of the wonderful chili.  I immediately go in for a second bite and then a third.  Before I know it my bowl is empty.