All About Timing

Chapter Fourteen

I curled my toes as I felt the coolness of the grass between my toes, the hot Texas sun was shinning through the trees but that I never stopped me from coming to lay in my favorite spot.

I looked up, noticing all the familiar bird houses and bird feeders I had put up over the years.

That's when it dawned on me that I was at my childhood home.

I sat up and looked around the terrain, the barn wasn't far from where the tree was and even the house still looked the same.

To my left, sat my favorite pair of American Flag boots and I reached over noticing that my name was written on the bottom.

Toy Story was my favorite movie growing up.

I slipped them on and began walking towards the barn, this dream felt too realistic.

As I approached the barn, I noticed that the doors were wide open and I could hear that amazing deep voice.

"Her daddy gave her, her first pony. Then taught her to ride, she climbed high in that saddle. Fell I don't know how many," his voice boomed.

Daddy stood there in his boot cut jeans, work boots, and flannel looking at me with a wide smile.

"Don't just stand there Mija, go get the chicken feed. You told me you would take care of them if we bought them."

I did what I was told and grab the feed, before throwing it into the chicken coop. I went in and looked for any eggs, putting them in the bucket.

I put the bucket to the side, standing there still staring at my dad who continued to sing.

"He taught her a lesson that she learned, maybe a little too well. Cowgirls don't cry," he stopped before turning to me and releasing a small laugh.

"You took that too literal, you're allow to cry ya know," he told me. His beard had grown out a bit but his hair was neatly shaved. His smile warmed my heart like it always did and I found myself just staring at him.

"Well don't just stand there, come give your Pops a hug," he exclaimed holding out his arms.

I slowly walks towards him and reached out to him, that's when I hit his chest causing me to feel a swarm of emotions as he embraced me. I let out a sob as I held onto him afraid he would disappear.

Taking a deep breath, I smelt the familiar musky gain soap scent that was always my dads smell.

That's when I felt a figure wrap around my legs and I looked down, feeling my knees buckle as I brought the small figure into my arms.

"Angelica," I mumbled taking her into my arms.

"Sissy, hi," she excitedly told me. Touching my face lightly before leaning over, kissing my cheek.

She ran her hand over the eyebrow that had a scar from a bad night with my biological mom before smiling softly at me.

"You don't belong here," she mumbled seriously causing my eyebrows to furrow.

"Not yet Angelica, why don't we show Sissy inside and get her some cornbread," my dad told her before squeezing my shoulder and walking past me.

I carried Angelica in my arms, not wanting to let go of her yet and walked to the house.

"Boots off before we go in," Angelica reminded me as I set her down. I slipped out my boots and helped her with hers before entering the familiar house.