Finding Home in Redemption

Chapter Sixteen

I had my phone alarm set to vibrate early on Christmas morning. I wanted to get an early start making the blueberry pie I had hidden. I wasn't the greatest cook, but I would try my best.

I thought about the night before and wondered how he'd be feeling today. I didn't want to bring it up and have him get upset with me, so I decided I wouldn't talk about it. If he had a concern or if he was in pain, he was capable of asking for help.

By the time Aaron emerged from his bedroom I was putting the pie into the oven.

"Happy Birthday, Beautiful," he said walking up behind me and placing a kiss on the top of my head.

"You remembered?"

"Of course I did. I couldn't forget something like that."

"I'm glad I get to spend the day with you," I said.

"I figured your dad would want to see you today. It's Christmas and your birthday, so it's a pretty special day."

"Yeah it is, but we're together almost every single day, so it's not a big deal, and plus, he already gave me my gifts. He'll probably call later though."

"You should invite him over for lunch or something. I bet he'd like that."

"Okay, I'll go call him." I made my way toward my bedroom when my phone started ringing. I saw it was Pop when I glanced at the screen, so I quickly answered.

"Merry Christmas, old man!" I chirped.

"Happy Birthday, squirt."

"Thanks! Do you want to come over for lunch today?" I asked.

"Uh," he paused. "Actually Bentley, I have some plans today. I only made them because we already had our thing at the house."

"What possible plans could you have on Christmas?"

"This is kind of awkward," he said taking a deep breath. "One of our customers lives far away from her family. We got to talking the other day when she was getting her car worked on and I slightly asked her to go to dinner with me."

"You slightly asked her to dinner?" I asked. I couldn't stop the smile that was forming on my face.

"More than slightly I guess, I asked her out, and she said she'd love to. Her closest family is a son that lives in Georgia, so I felt really bad for her."

"Is she hot?" I asked.

"Obviously," he answered, and I laughed.

"There it is."

"Shut up. Listen, I wanted to call you and say Happy Birthday, but I've got to get going. I need to shave and crap."

"You're so charming. I hope you have a nice time, for real though, Pop. I love you."

"I love you, too. I'll let you know how it goes."

"You better."

I hung up the phone and sat down on my bed. My father was going on a date. He hadn't dated the entire time I was growing up, and I was appreciative that I didn't have to watch women come in and out of our lives. No matter how I felt, I just wanted him to be happy. He, more than anyone, deserved it.

"Was that your dad?" Aaron asked from the doorway of my room.

"Yeah, he has plans tonight."

"Who makes plans on Christmas?" he asked.

"I know, right?" I laughed. "He has a date. I guess the lady doesn't have a lot of family around here."

"I see," Aaron smiled. "I'm surprised women aren't too scared of him to show interest."