Someday I'll Make It All Up To You

Chapter 4

John and I made it back to the Harper Ranch, and no one was home yet. He said they were all at work. He brought me in the house, and told me to make myself at home while he went and tried to find some gas cans.

The house was small, but nice. The kitchen was at the front of the house, with a table behind it, I assume the dining table, with the living room behind that. The house was very rustic, with wood everywhere. It was like a cabin, but with flat wood instead of logs. The living space had a couch and a couple chairs, with a coffee table in the middle and a large, stone fireplace. I sat myself on the couch and zoned out. I was not expecting to land myself somewhere like this on my journey to California.

I heard the door swing open, expecting it to be John, but instead it was a younger guy, about my age. He had blonde hair that covered his forehead and blue eyes. He was wearing a white, long sleeve cotton shirt, and beat up blue jeans. He had a confused look on his face. I suppose he didn't expect to see a random stranger sitting in his living room when he got back from work.

"Who the hell are you?" He questioned, ready to come after me. I put my hands up in defense.

"My name is Tyler Johnson, and am not here to bring any harm, John Harper found me in my truck on the side of the road and offered some help."

He didn't say anything, just rolled his eyes and ran back to the door. I heard him yell "Grandpa!" but couldn't tell what else he said. So he must be the grandson.

"Yes yes he's right, I brought him back here after seeing him on the side of the highway. Poor boy ran out of gas." I heard John as he was coming back in with his grandson.

"Tyler, allow me to formally introduce my grandson, Aaron Miller." Aaron looked a lot less stressed than when he first saw me.

"Nice to meet you." I stood up and reached my hand out.

"Sorry for the rude welcome, I thought you were just some town crazy and my Grandpa here doesn't always lock the doors." Crazy. Can't say anyone has ever thought of me as crazy before.

"I assume you are staying for dinner?" Aaron asked me and then turned to John.

"Yes, unfortunately I don't have extra gas cans here and it's too late to get any filled in town. I'm sorry son but you will have to stay here for the night."

"That's ok. As long as I'm not intruding." I shrugged.

"Nonsense!" John exclaimed. "I'll make sure everyone else knows you aren't some random kid. We haven't had any new visitors in a while, it'll be fun."

"I'll keep you company until everyone gets here." Aaron put his arm around me. He warmed up fast.

"Perfect, I've got to finish up some of my work outside, the girls should be getting home soon." John headed out and Aaron and I made ourselves comfortable in the living room.

"Sooo, you from around here?" Aaron asked. He was leaning back with his legs up on the coffee table and his hands behind his head.

"No, I'm actually from Wisconsin, I was on my way to California to meet up with a friend."

"Ohhh that sounds so fun! Do you do anything, like a job?" I didn't really know what to tell him.

"Kinda. I'm an amateur musician, and I hope to get some sort of success with that before my time is up." My dad was always down on me for wanting that to be my career and even nice people didn't really know what to say to that. It was like they knew that was impossible, but unlike my father they had a filter.

"Hey man, that's pretty cool, not everyone can do it. Best of luck to you." How could he be so relaxed now when no more than ten minutes ago he was ready to take me out?