Finding Home in Redemption

Chapter Eight

I woke up and immediately got to work. 6:00 A.M. came early, and I had much to do before lunch. Turkey? Check. Potatoes? Check. Boxed stuffing? Check. The list went on and on. The front door opened and I heard Aaron and Dog come back inside. I was staring at the largest turkey I'd ever seen when he walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning!" I said. He seemed so rested and happy. His long hair was messy and free of a hair tie, and his clothes were wrinkled. He looked adorable. "You want coffee?"

"Morning, coffee sounds great," he replied.

"I want one too, cupcake," Pop yelled from down the hall, making his voice sound sweet and girly. I rolled my eyes, got two more cups down, and poured their coffee for them.

"Happy Thanksgiving kids," Pop said when he walked in. He walked over to pat me on the head and take his cup out of my hand.

"You're not all that much older than Aaron you know?" Pop cocked an eyebrow in question.

"How old are you, Aaron?" he asked.

"Thirty-two."

"Thirty-two? That's a relief. It's hard to tell under all that hair."

"Pop!" I was so embarrassed.

"What? I didn't mean to sound rude, Bentley. I don't care what his hair looks like."

"Well, it sounded mean to me!" I said, my voice going an octave higher. I looked over to see Aaron's amused expression.

"What's so funny?" I asked him.

"I'm just enjoying the show." Aaron and Pop laughed and drank coffee as if nothing had happened, and I decided men were stupid. I got back to work and started pulling the innards out of the turkey.

"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Jerry called and said he needs me to come in and approve a few things this morning." Pop said walking out of the kitchen.

"What? It's only 6:30 A.M., why on earth is he at work on Thanksgiving, especially this early?" I asked, confused.

"Oh yeah, I forgot what time it was," he said to himself. "Uh, he called last night. I'll be back in about an hour."

I followed him to his room, carrying the innards with me, and pushed the door open when he tried to shut it.

"Why are you leaving?" I asked. I couldn't believe he was about to blow me off on my favorite holiday.

"Why do you look like you're about to cry?" he asked when he turned to look at me. "I was just trying to give you some alone time with your friend. That's all."

"But I don't want you to leave. I mean, I appreciate the offer, but Aaron and I get plenty of alone time."

"That's disturbing. I'd like to pretend you didn't say that."

"Well, Pop, we have the walk to and from work together, and every day we eat breakfast, sometimes even dinner, together."

"I have heartburn," he said, grabbing his chest like he was in pain.

"You," I said, pointing my finger at him, "were about to leave us alone!"

"Yeah, but I wasn't going anywhere! I was going to be spying through the window!"

"Oh, come on, Pop!" I started laughing so hard my stomach started to hurt. By the time I calmed down enough to look at my father, tears were running down my cheeks. "That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

"It's not stupid. It's tactful," he replied with a smile. "I guess we better get back in there. He's probably wondering what's happening."

"No, I would say he probably heard every word, and he's decided to run away." To my surprise, Aaron was still in the kitchen, and an even bigger surprise was, all the peeled potatoes he had stacked beside him.