Reach For The Stars

chpt 18

Just as expected Paul Baker came back that morning. Richie had left in the middle of the night, leaving his blankets neatly folded on the pillow he was using.

Sitting at the table the picture perfect family, the Bakers sit all eating, even Kelsey had a small bowl of yogurt, with chopped fruit. The two boys in the family had bacon, eggs, and a pile of toast. "Kelsey, I was thinking we all can go to the parade in an hour. How does that sound?" The man's eyes gaze up to her, the girl smiles and nods.

"Sounds perfect to me, it should be fun!" She speaks excited, taking a small spoonful of her yogurt.

"Yay I love the parade!" James exclaims, clapping his hands, as he takes his last bite.

"Yup, your mom loved it too. Loved getting everyone dressed up," Their father spoke happily, remembering the time.

"Don't worry dad, I'll make sure we both make mom proud," the teenage girl giggles, and she highfives her brother.

"I know you will Keke, well looks like Jay is done. Go get ready, and we'll leave when we're all ready," Her dad says with a smile, as he leaves his spot on the chair, taking his plate to the dishes.

After putting away the food, Kelsey and her brother began getting ready for the days festivities. First she had put the blue eyed boy in a white tank top with the American flag on it.

"I wanna wear shorts!" The boy protested, pointing to his pants drawer.

"What else would I put you in Little man," she remarked, getting out a pair of plain jean shorts, slipping the boy into it.

"Okay hat boyo?" Ahe asks looking through his baseball caps.

"Yeah, the Tiger one!" He hisses like a tiger, using his fingers to mimic fangs. She laughs, as she gently put the cap on the boy. Finishing the look, with his black sunglasses their dad had bought him about a month ago.

"Dad Jay is ready, I'm getting ready now!" She announces, leaving her brother's room, before slipping into her own.

"Thanks Keke!" He calls back from his room before walking into his youngest's room.

The girl lets out a long sigh as soon the door is closed. Quickly her hand makes contact with her cheek, snapping her smile back on to her face.

She dresses in a soft baby blue paisley skirt, paired with a white bohemian off the shoulder shirt, that hugged her midsection, and stopped right before her belly button. Slipping on a pair of red converse, and slipping a red bandanna in her hair. She did a twirl in the mirror looking over the outfit. The skirt flared upwards, but nothing was able to be seen besides her red matching compression short shorts.

A knock came from her door, "Ready Keke?" Her dad's deep voice comes through the white door separating the two humans. Walking she opens the door, giving a small twirl.

"What ya' think dad?" She asks in a happy voice.

"Beautiful just like your mom," he pulls the girl in, kissing her head.

For a moment a wave of nostalgia comes washing over the girl. The feeling of a loving father, as he embraced her. The familiar feeling that she felt before her mother's accident. "Well we should get going, come on kids!" He cheered going through their front door and to his car.

The kids laugh, running after their father, Kelsey stopping to lock the door behind the three. Taking their respective seats in the car. Kelsey sitting beside her father who was in a good mood that day. James taking a seat in his carseat in the back behind the girl's chair.

The short drive was quickly over as they made it to the main, center street in the small town. The road was already blocked off, and the small smile were looking for a parking spot. After pullung into the Police Station where her father worked. They left the car, the kid's holding hands, as they walked to find their signature spot.

Right under a large building, family friends gathered around. "Paul you made it just in time!" Mr. Bowers called beckoning the family over.

"Butch, you not in it this year?" Her father asked as they came to a stop. James was sitting down beside some friends, as Kelsey was looking around trying to see if she would recognize anyone.

"Naw, thought I should let the fresh meat take care of all the horse shit this year!" He jokes, referring to the mazeof actual shit from the horses they'd have to go through, every year.

"Hah, that's why I stopped long ago, my friend," her father rebuttals, as they begin to sit on some chairs that were laid out by the Policeforce before.

"That girl of your's got a boyfriend yet? After Victor I could've sworn she'd be taken the next week," Butch spoke motioning to the girl who was playing with her brither, and a little girl who was also a Policeman's child.

The father gazed to his daughter a soft smile coming over his face as he watches the girl interact. "Naw not yet, she wants to focus on her grades, cheerleading, and family of course," He informs what he assumed the girl's plan was.

"Ahh good girl you got there,-" Butch remarks waving a beer the girls way, before taking a sip. "Meanwhile all Henry does is fuck around town. God she's a year younger than him, and she has so much potential compared to my shitty excuse for a son," the man groans.

"You know this whole summer all he's done is fuck around, doing absolutely nothing," the grumpy father groans shaking head. By now the parade had started, the kids along with Kelsey were out in the streets. The kids collecting candy, and Kelsey was making sure none of the kids get hurt.

"Wow, I'm sorry Butch maybe it's just teenage rebelliousness you know. I'm sure he'll grow out of it," Mr. Baker spoke watching the parade go by.

"Yeah god I pray, what about Kelsey and James?" The dark haired man inquired.

"Ahh, Kalsey you know has been a homebody. She's been taking care of the house, and her brother. When she has freetime she trains, you know got to be in pivotal shape for the try outs next month-" Bowers nodded understanding the vitle roll football palys in the Baker family. "She does have a delivering job for Mrs. Rockwell, nothing too bad just dropping some goods off around town," he informed also taking gulps of his beer.

"Ahh," Butch Bowers voice sounds exasperated. "You got a good pair of kids," he shakes his head "If only Henry had anything like thoes two," he points to the two childern.

Kelsey had the young girl on her shoulders, holding her brother on her hip. Both kids were hoping to get more attention to get more candy.

Their father sighs, before shaking his head, "They're not exactly a dream, it took a while to know their place. I still have to remind that girl sometimes," he sighs, shaking his head.

"Ahh well, that's with any kid, but I'm sure you let them not forget it!" Butch laughs, hitting the other man on his forearm. They both laugh, and continue to laugh as the parade continues eventually coming to a halt.