Family Reunion

Bonding With Dad

      The next morning, I wake up at 6 in the morning and go to rinse off in the shower and change into running shorts and a sports bra. I go to the mirror to put my hair up and then decide to change into a tank top. 'He might not appreciate me wearing a bra.' I head downstairs into the kitchen to see Adam running up stairs. I see my father making us something to eat. "Did Adam eat already?" I ask taking a bite of the breakfast sandwich. "Yeah he ate when you were in the bathroom." "Oh sorry." "Not a big deal he usually eats first anyway." Adam comes down after about 20 minutes and we decide to head out. 

      We jog to the park which is about a mile or so away. We take a break to drink and i see a group of boys playing basketball looking at us. "Yo,Adam. Is that you?" One guy yelled out. Adam looks over to dad. "Go. But be back by dinner tonight." Father says. "I will. Thanks enjoy the rest of your run." Adam says has he jogs off to his buddies. "So ready to go." "Yeah lets run." We make small talk here and there as we run. We run for another mile and see a bench, taking a break to drink. "So you use to run competitively?" Father asks me as i get a drink. "Yeah." "Were you good?" "I was the best at my old school never once got less than top three i usually got 1st or 2nd tho." "Damn." "Yep" "Why did you stop again?" "My friend and i got in an accident and the doctor told me i had a serious injury that i wasn't gonna run at a professional level anymore." "What happened?" He asked curiously. I wanted to say 'None of your business' But Willman's voice in the back of my head said 'Try'. So i took a deep breathe.

       "Rebecca who was  my friend was helping me look for my mother and it was dark and the roads were wet. The driver on the other side of the road swerved into our lane and she dodged them and flipped her truck." I take a deep breathe holding the tears in. "She died before the ambulance got there. I woke up in the hospital to seeing and meeting Willman trying to contact my mother with no help. I asked the nurse why i couldn't feel my legs and she went onto the whole medical reasons but all i heard was not being able to walk. It took 4 months or so of physical therapy and the help of Kevin and Cory for me to walk normal again. Then a year later i was able to jog and run just have to limit myself. Which was hard." I say with a sigh. "I'm sorry I didn't know. I would have been there if i knew." He said putting his hand on mine trying to comfort me. I shrug him off. "Lets start running again old man." "Who are you calling old man." "You." We get off the bench and start running back towards where we left Adam.

      We walked back home talking about work and school. "So. How are you liking school?" He asked. "I guess its okay i just miss my friends." "Well have you made any friends here yet?" "Nope. I don't really like meeting new people and opening up. As you can properly tell." He nods. "But I've met some of Beth's friends and they let me sit with them at lunch. But its not the same as it was back home." "Thats understandable. So how long have you been with Kevin?" "We started officially dating when i left. But we've been a couple i guess for a couple of months." "Wow." "Yeah. It was awkward when Willman found out he was trying to scare Kevin even tho he loves him." "He was just looking out for you." "Yeah. I know. But I could have done worse for a first boyfriend." He nods and then we change the subject to work and make small talk until we reach the house.

      I enter the house running up the stairs to shower and change and call Kevin and Cory. "Hey guys." "Hey" I get from both of them. "So i went running with my dad this morning." "Really thats great." Cory jumps in "How was it." Kevin spoke. "Fine i told him about the accident the therapy and running."  "So are you guys good?" "No. But Willman wanted me to try so this is me trying." "Well thats understandable." "Yeah so whats going on there." They went off telling me the school drama and Cory and his relationship with Cammie.

      Steve's POV

      We get home and she runs to her room to shower and all that as i walk into the living room to see my wife smiling at Carrie and Curtis. "Hey honey how was your run?" She asked as she sees me enter the room. "Good but i'm gonna take a quick shower." "Okay I want to talk after?" "Is everything okay?" "Yeah" I nod and go upstairs to shower and change into normal jeans a t-shirt. My wife enters the room. "So what did you want to talk about?" I ask. "Was the run good?" "Yeah she talked to me about the accident she actually opened up a little." I say with a smile. "Thats great honey." Her smile doesn't reach her eyes. "What is it?" "Michelle's funeral is next weekend." "Oh. Does Alexis know yet." "Not yet but i don't know how to tell her." "We can tell her after dinner or now." I suggest. We decide after dinner.

      Lexi's POV 

       During dinner Kathy and my father were acting weird. After about 15 minutes of awkward silence i put my fork down with a slight noise. They all looked at me. "What happened? Why are you two acting so weird?" I state looking between Kathy and my father. He spoke up. "We have to tell you something and i don't know how to tell you." He says looking at me with sympathy. "Well what is it?" I ask annoyed. "Its about your mothers funeral." "What about it?" I ask coldly. "Its next weekend." Kathy jumps in. "Oh. That soon."  "I'm sorry Alexis." "Why. Its not your fault i guess i thought it would be longer before i had to deal with it. I guess i was wrong. Can i be excused?" I say holding back the tears till I'm upstairs in my room. "Yeah. Goodnight." "Night." I ran upstairs.