Sister On The Ranch

Chapter 5 Rooster's Birthday

The next morning, after we had been working for a solid 3 hours-we took a break about 8:30-my mom pulled up in her white pick up truck. I said, "Mom? What are you doing over here so early? It's 8:30 a.m."
She said, "On this day, at this exact time, well give or take, exactly 35 years ago, on May 26, 1983, my oldest baby was born."
She ran up to Rooster, smiled and said, "Happy Birthday Jameson."
Rooster said, "Thanks mom."
I said, "Dang you're old... I'm kidding, happy birthday brother."
Rooster said, "Thanks knuckle head."
Colt said, "Yeah happy birthday Roost."
Rooster said, "Thanks idiot."
My mom said, "Where's your dad?"
I said, "Feeding the pigs."
Rooster said, "Which reminds me, I should probably go and help him."
Rooster walked off, and my mom came over to Colt and I. When Rooster was out of earshot, I said, "Well that was convenient."
Colt said, "Stop using big words, you're such a nerd."
I said, "Says the guy who played dungeons and dragons in high school."
Colt said, "Hey! Dungeons and Dragons is a cool game."
I said, "Uh huh, you just keep telling yourself that."
My mom said, "Hey! Enough. Now listen, we are throwing Rooster a surprise party at the bar tonight at 7:30, so make sure y'all get him down there ON TIME."
Colt and I saluted her, and I said, "Yes ma'am."
My mom said, "I picked up the cake from Mrs. Docherty's Cakes down the street yesterday, and the big keg of beer should be here by this afternoon. Everything is set up, and all of his friends-"
She looked at me with her eyes emphasizing every word as she spoke it, "will be there, so don't tell him and screw this up guys."
I said, "Wow, aren't you sweet? Love you too mom."
My mom said, "Hey, I am sweet, and I love you both too, just don't tell him."
We nodded, and in the back of the barn, Someone yelled, "I said have you ever seen the movie footloose not have you ever eaten fruit loops!!!"
We laughed. My dad has terrible hearing. My mom said, "And on that note, I'm going to go do some finishing touches on everything before your father comes in here telling me which fruit loop he likes best."
I said, "They all taste the same."
My mom said, "Try telling him that. 'No Maggie they all taste like different fruits. That's why their different colors!' They're for children for goodness sakes, it's a branding tactic. Bye guys. See ya later."
We laughed, I said, "Bye mom."
Just as she left, Rooster and Dad walked in, Rooster rolling his eyes and dad giving him a lecture on how fruit loops taste different from one another. I sighed. Colt said, "Hey dad. Hey Rooster, we need to go till the back garden."
Rooster said, "Thank you! Anything to get away from this 'fruity' conversation."
Rooster walked over to Colt, who was laughing, and Colt put his arm on Rooster as they walked out back. I looked at my dad and we shook our heads, I smirked at him. Tonight was gonna be fun.

Later that evening......
We got to the front of the bar, and dad let us out while he went and hunted for a parking spot. Surprisingly, Rooster didn't even notice that it was fuller than usual, well that or he just didn't give a crap. Either way he didn't say anything about it to make heads or tales of what he was actually thinking, but that's probably for the best because I don't wanna know. As my dad pulled away, Rooster walked up to the front of the bar, and opened the door. All of sudden, everyone yelled, "SURPRISE!!!"
Rooster jumped a little, 😂 he wasn't expecting that..which was the point of course. He said, "Wow, thanks guys." He turned around and hugged Colt and I. After he hugged us, I looked around the bar to see if I knew anyone, and at the back table close to the dart board and restrooms was...Austin. I felt my face heat up as I saw him. I thought to myself, "This is my chance to apologize and talk to him."
I took a deep breath and walked over to where he was sitting.....hope this goes well.