Bonded by the Blues | A Sander Sides Book

Chapter 20 - The Morning After

YAY! We're finally at the next day! I thought the night would never end. 

--Logan--

I had asked my father if I could borrow his car for the day, and fortunately he did not mind. It was a Mini Minor, quite the relic, but in excellent condition. Antique cars were his passion, but not mine, a fact which saddened him greatly. However, we had many shared interests; topics which we could debate on for hours.

The morning air was crisp and clean after the heavy rains of last night. It was slightly colder than usual, so I added a plaid muffler, checkered beret and woollen sweater to my usual ensemble. I am sure Patton would have some quirky comments to make on my appearance, and truth be told I found myself anticipating what he would come up with.

I got in the car, and neatly placed a package of sandwiches on the passenger seat, then realised that would be where Patton would sit, so I transferred it to the back. I rarely had passengers, and never ones I had to feed. I admit I was hardly the best chef, but the results were satisfactory.

I had dithered long enough. I brought the engine to life and was soon maintaining a steady speed well below the speed limit. Couldn't be too careful on these roads. I had already been on this route when I dropped him off last evening, but I was extra careful to set the route on my GPS as well.

The road soon took me out of the city and down a tree lined road. Patton lived quite a distance away from major roads, as his grandfather had a quiet little farm that survived on producing the tastiest jam for miles around. I wonder if he was happy or sad that he was leaving his grandfather behind so soon, as he had arrived there only three weeks ago, just in time for the start of the academic year. His parents lived on the other side of the country, so he must be quite lonely in the middle of nowhere. And he seemed a liked a chap who wants a lot of friends. Well my house was much closer to the university and the city.

My house. I still could not believe that this was happening. After years of sharing a large empty house with only my father and Mrs. Duma for company, I had been well-tended for but left mostly to my own devices. I was confident I could do well enough on my own. But inviting someone else to share it with me? And someone I had just met? I did not even consider asking the couple of friends I had in high school, even though I knew one of them was searching for a place. I had made the conscious decision to distance myself from them, hoping to find ones at more my intellectual wave length at university. And I had made friends with the silliest person I had ever come across.

Why had I asked Patton to stay with me? That goes against all reason. I was still ruminating on this quandary as I turned into the narrow gravel path lined on one side with grape vines and the other with a small orchard of orange and apple trees. I lowered the windows, revelling in the chill of the fresh natural air. I soon stopped at a rickety wooden gate, surprised Patton was not already there. I had specifically told him of the time I would be here, and I was in fact a minute early. I knew he had a tendency for tardiness, so I decided to give him a few more minutes. I sent him a reminder text to be on the safe side.

The car was too stuffy and cramped with such a vibrant world outside, so I killed the engine and stepped out in the mellow morning sun. I was out of my element, but there was a peaceful charm to the rustic setting around me. A tiny cottage stood under a big leafy tree at the end of a neat flower bordered path. It was as if it was right out of a wonder tale. I leant against bonnet, scratching my left hand, hoping Patton would hurry up before the unfamiliarity of the situation made me uneasy.

The clump of boots shook me from my pondering, and a weather beaten elderly man rounded the corner, pail in hand a dog at his heels. He stopped at the sight of me, and I should add that the car did look out of place here.