Grabbing Hold (The Motorcycle Kid #1)

59. Way Back Home

I'm back, potatoes! Did ya miss me?

(Yes, I'm trying to save face because I'm fighting off another round of depression. I'll be okay, don't worry, and writing is helping. Update: I'm feeling better and I love BTS, Seventeen and GOT7 with all my heart.)

Anyway, I guess you can say the hiatus is pretty much over. I've tried to write a couple advance chapters so I can post at my pace without the pressure to write - I have a lot more free time now that I'm on vacation - and so that I won't have to be rushing to roll out updates during the Christmas holiday because my birthday follows soon after, and I'd like to relax myself :-)

That said, ignore the plot holes from the last chapter and enjoy this one! 

The Friday morning of Ryder's departure was an early one. He made his way downstairs, yawning loudly as he rubbed his eyes with the corner of his t-shirt. His nose was immediately greeted with the delicious aroma of what he now knew as a full breakfast - fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, sausage, homemade blueberry pancakes, fresh fruit, juice and freshly blended coffee. His mouth watered.

Such feasts were few and far between - Miss Tulesa was adamant on cooking it up only once a week, but they were always worth the wait. As predicted, the kitchen was buzzing with activity, Will and Felicity at the stove, Jonathan pouring out the coffee, Dorothy cutting apples into small chunks to drop into a bowl already holding chunks of orange, strawberry and watermelon.

"Morning," he greeted them cheerfully, half-sleepy, half-salivating from the aroma of the room. His aunt Felicity frowned.

"Why are you so cheerful, you brat? Have you no remorse for the fact that you're leaving me behind in a matter of hours?!"

Ryder let out a laugh. "Sorry, it just smells really good and I mean to savour every bit of it," he tried and failed to explain himself. "Don't make this any harder for me."

"Tsk, come eat," his grandmother told them both, shaking her head. The little brood of humans made their way to their various spots around the dining table, taking dishes and plates as they did so. Ryder rubbed his hands together at the prospect of what would likely be his last feast for a very long time.

"Not so fast," Miss Tulesa chided him and Will, who were seconds away from a mouthful of breakfast. "Let's pray. Felice, will you?"

Felicity nodded, extending both hands on either side of herself. Jonathan took her left, Ryder her right. His other hand was in Dorothy's grip, whose in turn was on Miss Tulesa's left and so on and so forth. Once all six of them were linked, Felicity cleared her throat.

"Dear Lord, thank you for giving us life to see another day in this world. Thank you for health, and strength and most importantly, for family." She squeezed Ryder's hand. "Thank you for bringing Ryder home to us, thank you for blessing us with the chance to have this incredible young man in our lives."

Ryder hummed shyly.

"Today, as he leaves, we pray Your peace and guidance will go before him as he goes back to an uncertain situation in Chicago. Give him courage, Lord, so he will not fear the unknown. Make him strong, and make him successful. Don't let this Ryder return to the Ryder we met two months ago."

"Damn right," the twins said in sync, making their nephew chuckle.

"Bless the food and the hands that prepared it, and take us on our journey and return us home safely. In Jesus' name, amen."

"Amen."

The amens echoed throughout the room, before Miss Tulesa clapped her hands, grabbing her knife and fork. "Alright, people, let's eat! We're on a tight schedule!"