Sweet Maple Pines

Chapter Four: Family Reunion

"Morris! You've grown!" She mashes her hand against her chest in a dramatic gesture.

"You've grown too?" I say awkwardly at loss of words. My mom is here. Of all places her home town. Where her and Dad shared their first kiss. Where dad proposed. Sweet Maple Pines. Now we are all here together!

I smile. Excitement forces my heart to beat faster.

"I can't believe your here!" I exclaim hugging my mom. She hugs back smelling like pie crust and outdoors.

"Oh my! Grace is this him!" My mom pulls away from the hug turning to a big woman in a green flare dress. Her cheeks are flushed from the heat.

"Yes this is Morris." My mother places a hand on my head wiping away imaginary tears.

The woman lets out a ecstatic  scream similar to Beccas earlier. The mob of girls around my Dad twist their heads around looking like curious owls.

"Grace?" Dad parts the crowd looking at mom.

I  only know the chemistry that can go on between the two of them. Like a rekindled flame.

"Paul"

Surprisingly, Mom throws her arms around dad kissing him roughly.

"Ok?" I grimace. That was quick.

"Alright you two robin birds!" A curvy beautiful blonde with sapphire blue eyes steps out our house. She bounces down the porch steps stopping in front of everybody.

"Dortha!" Someone gushes. Dortha waves politely at the silent awaiting crowd.

Mom finally breaks away from dad who smiles looking dazed.

"We have arranged- well I did- your house to the best of our- meaning me- abilities!" Dortha giggles " I'm Dortha"

On cue the crowd claps. Mom joins in. The most happiest of them all. I copy with less enthusiasm.

"I welcome our newcomers with beating wings of a bird taking flight!" Dortha reveals all her white teeth " Please make them feel ahome!"

The crowd lets out cheers.

"We have!" Becca shouts along with a few others.

Dortha shakes her head at her.

"Whatcha wearing!" Dortha exclaims suddenly. Becca closes her mouth looking cautiously around.

"Whatcha mean?" Becca returns.

Dortha looks at me and my father. Her expression goes from overly happy to mortified.

"Whatcha wearing?!" Dortha exclaims again. This time directed toward me.

"Clothes?" I shrug.

"Oh! No! I see we clearly don't know!"

The crowd shakes their head at us. I rub my nose. Something I do when nervous. Or annoyed.

"Go easy ,Dortha. They are new."
Someone tells Dortha.

Mom nods.

The crowd copies.

"Okay... I'm sorry but clearly we need to tell you guys the dress code here."

Dress code? Are you freaking kidding me? Am I back at my old school? I rub my nose more harshly

"Button or collar shirts. Khakis and dress pants. Exceptions if you insist  are jeans and plain color t shirts no logos." Dortha inhales deeply " You see   here in ,Sweet Maple Pines, we are a original and classy community."

The crowd buzzes with agreement.
I can't do this. What's  this town's problem? Everybody is on some jacked up-

"And no profanity" Dortha grins glancing at me as if she could read my mind.

"And Becca" Dortha places a manicured hand on her face " You know better! I have asked One thousand times! Told  You one million times to get your act together! You are a lady and you will dress according to one!" Dortha bites

Becca unfazed. Fakes a yawn and strolls off.

Dortha burns holes in her retreating form before turning to us. Her smiles returns.

"Enjoy your stay"

Just like that the crowd dispersed. I stand amazed and shock at the insanity level here. Dress code. Obsession of pies. Odd acting people. As much as it pains me to say moms even changed too. I don't recognize her barely.

Dad doesn't seem to notice anything wrong. He chuckles holding mom in his arms before stepping away and telling her they can't move too fast and to take things slow. Mom frowns shaking her head and laughing.

"What?! Paul, I'm sorry but I'm taken."
Mom giggles.

"But you kissed me?" Dad stutters.

"A welcome kiss! Don't put too much thought into it" Mom laughs before swiping his nose playfully and gracefully leaving.

Dads jaw hangs open. His face twisted up in confusion. I'm just as confused. She kissed him and it looked more than a welcome. More like a invite.

"She's just playing hard to get?" I try.

Dad glares at me.

"What?"

"Whatever" He grunts heading inside.

I let out a deep breath tasking myself with unloading the car before dawn.

A/N

I hope everybody has enjoyed this book so far! So much is to come in this story! I hope your prepared! Also don't be timid to tell me how much you like it. Click the star and leave a positive or negative comment. Either are helpful.