Late Nights and 99 proof

Chapter Twelve- NARRATOR

Holidays with the Danky's

Narrator’s POV:

Christmas vacation rolled around quickly and before they knew it, Richard, Jeff, and Ryan were all piled up in the back of Ryan’s father's pickup truck on their way to the Danky's residence. "You boys will have to go along without me this year, I'm not feeling up to it." Ryan Sr. coughed and gave his best try at a smile. "Tell Michael and Nancy I'll see them for the New Year's Eve party."

Ryan didn't think anything of his father's excused absence to the party, he just figured he'd be back to feeling normal in no time. His father rarely got sick, and if he did, it never lasted over two days. He'd never call out of work for it or miss a chance to drink and cut loose.

The boys all spilled out of the truck together and grabbed their backpacks from the trunk. "Come on in, boys, we're just about to eat lunch" Nancy yells from the porch. She was wearing a soft purple dress and a large bow tied behind her back.

Richard was impressed. He didn't think people so sophisticated would live on a farm with actual animals, but he was still impressed. It was a gorgeous farmhouse.

Live chicken ran about in their side yard and their German Shepherd named Fin pranced in their front yard.

After the tour of the entire farm and home, Richard and Jeff learned that Fin was the only outside dog. There were two dogs that lived inside the home—Max, and Grey. Grey was Micheal's dog and was with him every step he took. Max was the kitchen table dog that lived to be an opportunist. Richard thought it was strange that the hounds were allowed to sniff around while they ate, it made him uncomfortable.

"Max, please go away and let us eat in peace" Nancy says with no authority. Micheal eats on the couch with his blackberry and Grey at his side. "Max, stop begging!" Micheal steps in, without a glance. His voice echoes throughout the house and the dog finally does as he's told. Bowing his head, he leaves from the under the table.

"Roast beef is Ana's favorite." Nancy collects our empty plates at the sink. "For dinner, I'm making Ryan's favorite, baked chicken and rice." She smiles and her red lip-gloss spreads wide looking for Ryan's approval. "Glazed with my homemade gravy."

"You don't have to do that!" Ryan didn't want Nancy to go through all the trouble. After all, his only reason for attending the annual holiday gathering was to accompany her daughter in her bedroom late nights while everyone else was asleep. He didn't think his traditions with Ana were anything to be accoladed for.

"Don't be silly. We're a family, you know that. Now, if you boys would like, I can make your favorites too?" Nancy carefully places the dishes on the designated rack into the dishwasher. "Any requests?" She dries her hands on the hand towel hanging from her apron.

Jeff rocks from the balls of his feet to his heels with his hands pushed into his pockets, deep in thought. "Shrimp Alfredo pasta, garlic bread, and steamed broccoli." He reveals his dish and Richard suddenly feels small. He doesn't know what his favorite food is. His mother had never asked. He just remembers eating whatever his mother felt like making that night, and they surely never had lunch.

"I think I can do that!" Nancy cheers. "Richard, how about you?"

"I don't know," Richard admits. "No one has ever asked me that before."

"That's okay. If you think of something later let me know." Nancy hangs her orange apron on the hook near the pantry. "Now go!" She fans them away playfully. "I have a ton of cleaning to do,"

Ryan guides them up the staircase and to the guest room they would all share. Richard and Jeff play paper, scissors, rock for the top bunk and Ryan collapses on his single full-sized bed, chuckling at the two of them bickering. "Stop being so predictable!" Jeff complains, and Richard gives up, unpacking his things at the bottom bunk.