by A. L. Martin
“Can I get you something to drink? I just made a fresh pitcher of lemonade.” Hunter’s dad smile.
“That sounds really good. I’d love a glass. Thank you.”
His dad turned to walk back through the archway and straight ahead to what must be the kitchen. I turned around to smile at Hunter, and he had this pitiful look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered, moving closer to him.
He didn’t say anything, but his grey eyes told me enough with their sadness.
“Hunter, your house and where you go to school doesn’t matter to me. I love your house. And your dad is so super sweet. I see where you get your sweetness from. It’s a good quality.” I leaned up to give him a quick kiss before his dad came back in.
“Well, are you going to invite her to sit down, or are you going to have her stand there the whole time?” his dad said, walking back in with a tray of glasses filled with ice and lemonade.
He sat the lemonade down on the coffee table in front of the sectional, then grabbed himself a glass and sat down in the chair next to the couch. Hunter escorted me over to the couch, handing me a glass, then taking one for himself. We sat there talking and sipping on our lemonades. I felt more at home in the short time here than I’d ever felt in my Dad’s house. About thirty minutes later, his dad left us to go in the kitchen to start dinner. I sat there looking around at all the pictures of Hunter throughout the years, the dreaded school pictures mixed in with baseball and a few football pictures.
“Yeah, Dad went a little crazy with the pictures growing up.” He sighed.
“No. I think they are wonderful. The only pictures Dad takes of us are professionally done. They lack emotion.”
We continued to sit on the couch, talking. Then, a familiar smell filled the living room awakening memories that I hadn’t thought about in years. “What is that smell? It smells so good,” I said, inhaling deeply.
“Dad is making his famous fried chicken. I hope that is okay. He asked me what he should make for dinner today.”
“I haven’t smelled chicken like this since I was a little girl at my Grandma’s house.” I smiled. I got up and motioned toward the kitchen. The closer I got, the stronger I smelled the aroma of the chicken frying.
“Do you need any help?” I asked, watching him lower two more pieces of chicken into the cast iron skillet.
“No, but you can keep me company while I finish cooking.” He looked over at me and smiled. “I hope fried chicken is okay for dinner.”
“It’s perfect. The minute I smelled it; old memories of my Grandma Carter frying chicken came flooding back. I remember sitting there in her yellow kitchen at the table while she stood at the stove frying chicken for Sunday dinner. I wasn’t allowed to get too close to the stove because of the hot oil, so she would sit me at the table where I could see everything she did.”
“Well, I’m glad I was able to bring back a good memory for you,” he said, turning back around to keep an eye on the chicken. “We are also having corn on the cob and mashed potatoes.”
We sat at the kitchen table eating and enjoying stories his Dad told us. Dinner was absolutely amazing, and the company was even better. I helped Hunter do the dishes afterward, while his dad stayed and talked to us. I found myself a little envious of the relationship Hunter had with his dad. I wished I had a relationship with mine, instead of him always telling me to watch how I act out in public and who I’m with while out. Then, I realized a lecture was waiting for me at home this weekend when he finds out I broke up with his beloved Lucas.
I dried the last dish and sat it down on the table. I put the towel back on the handle of the oven, then turned around to face Hunter’s dad sitting at the far end of the table out of our way.
“Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Mr. Brooks.”
“Please, call me Trevor. And it was a joy having you over for dinner. I hope you will be back over again soon.” He smiled.
“You will have to keep on Hunter about bringing me over more. I had such a great time. Again, thank you. I should get going. I have some homework waiting for me at home. It was nice to meet you, Trevor.”
“It was a pleasure, my dear. Glad you enjoyed spending time with us.”
Hunter took my hand and led me out of the kitchen, and once we were outside on the porch, he quickly pulled me closer to him, kissing me. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you this whole time. I wish you didn’t have to go home right away.”
“Me too, but I have homework due tomorrow and Wednesday. Besides, I’m sure I will see you tomorrow.”
Hunter drove me home, then walked me up to the door and held me for a few minutes before kissing me. “I will see you tomorrow.” He flashed me one of his perfect smiles.
“I can’t wait. Night, Hunter.” I stood there watching him walk back to his truck and pull out of my Mom’s driveway, then down the road to where I couldn’t see him anymore.
I opened the front door to find Mom smiling at me from her favorite seat. Jules was laying on the couch. I leaned on the door, closing it slowly.
“You had a good time?” Mom smiled.
“I had an amazing time. His dad is so nice. He made us dinner, and it was delicious.”
“What did you have for dinner that was delicious?” she asked, putting her book down.
“He made fried chicken in a cast iron skillet, just like Grandma Carter did when I was little. I hadn’t thought about that in forever, but the minute I smelled the chicken, that memory came flooding in. He fixed corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes with it.”
“Wow. Sounds delicious. I miss your grandma’s fried chicken. Oh, it was so good,” Mom said, closing her eyes.
“I’m going to get me something to drink, then I’m going to go upstairs and get started on my homework.” I gave her a hug, then started walking toward the kitchen.
“I’m glad you had a great time. It’s nice to see you happy again. I could tell the last few months that you weren’t happy with Lucas anymore. Just be careful and don’t rush into another relationship.”
“Mom, he’s different than Lucas.”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt. And, I don’t mean by him.”
****
I was awake before my alarm went off the next morning. I tossed and turned most of the night thinking about what Mom said to me when I got home from Hunter’s. I knew exactly who she was talking about. She knew him better than any of us, and the kind of person he could turn into if he didn’t get his way. I grabbed my other pillow and flung it over my face, screaming into my pillow. I lifted the pillow off my head when my alarm started chiming. I quickly turned it off, but continued to lay there for a little bit longer, staring up at my white ceiling. I forced myself out of bed, sending my phone flying to the floor when I flipped the covers back. I caught a glimpse of the dark circles that made a home under my eyes in the vanity mirror when I bent down to pick up my phone. I let out a heavy sigh at the sight of myself in the mirror. I sat my phone on my nightstand, and headed to the bathroom to get a quick shower so I would have enough time to try and fix the dark circles.
****
“Good morning, Londyn,” Mom said, her back to me, pouring me and Jules some orange juice.
“Morning.”
Mom turned around and stared at me for a few minutes, watching me make my way over to the kitchen table. “Are you feeling okay, Londyn?”
“I know I look bad. I feel fine. I didn’t sleep good last night. I keep thinking about Dad and the disapproval he’s going to show over Hunter. Why does Dad have to be such an ass when it comes to if people have money or not?”
“I don’t know, but for some reason, he does. He didn’t used to be like that when we were younger. He was a totally different guy back when we were younger. Then, something in him changed a few years before we got divorced.” She sighed, placing the glasses of juice on the table.
I didn’t want to push the subject, but I was curious as to what kind of guy he was when sh
e met him years ago, before money turned him into the man he was today.
I sat there eating my Belgian waffle covered with strawberries and whipped topping, waiting for Jules to come down and eat her breakfast. She came down about ten minutes later, barely having enough time to eat half of her breakfast before I told her we needed to leave for school.
Jules took off towards Asher when she saw him after I parked the car around my normal spot. I took off up toward the school, when I could faintly hear Sam off in the distance call my name. I stopped, turning around to see Sam trying to run after me without actually running.
“Sorry, Sam. I didn’t see you when I parked my car.”
“It’s okay. So, how did it go last night after school?” She winked.
“I met Hunter’s dad last night. He was so nice. He fixed us dinner, then sat and talked us while I helped Hunter with the dishes. I had such a great time yesterday I felt more at home there than I do at Dad’s house most of the time.”
“That’s great, Londyn! You deserve someone like Hunter. I don’t want to bring you down, but what are you going to do about your Dad? You know he’s not going to approve of Hunter. Do you really want to go through that battle?”
“Hunter isn’t like Lucas, and he makes me happy. Surely, my Dad will give in when he sees how happy Hunter makes me.” I thought saying the words out loud would help me believe them more. I knew deep down that my happiness wasn’t a matter of priority to my father. I glanced over at Sam, who had a sorrowful look on her face that she tried to mask with a smile. She was never a good liar, even when we were younger. She was always the first one to cave and let it slip that we were lying.
We kept walking down the hall toward my locker, where I could see Gavin waiting in his usual spot. I knew he would want to know how things went last night too. I was a little more than ten feet away when Gavin started yelling question at me over everyone’s head passing by in the hall.
“Do you mind?” I said, trying not to laugh at him.
“Mind what?” He looked at me. “Well, how was it last night? What was his Dad like? Give me some details!”
“Details about what?” I laughed, looking over at Sam as she covered her mouth with her binder, trying to hide her giggles.
“You’re impossible!” he snapped, the frustration exuding out of his mouth.
Chapter 11
The next couple of days flew by between school and seeing Hunter. The best part of the day was seeing Hunter in the evening. He spent Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening with us because he Dad had to work late. Mom wanted to make sure he got something good to eat, and she knew I wanted him to stay for dinner. Thursday evening, we had more than just Hunter over for dinner. Jules invited Asher, and I invited Gavin over during school. I didn’t even have to bother asking Mom about Gavin because she already considered him part of the family. That night, we used the table in the dining room for the third time since Mom’s been in the house. Mom made spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, and salad. We sat around eating, laughing, and having fun. I was happier than I had been in a long time but sad too. My happiness was about to come to a screeching halt the minute I was to leave to go back to my Dad’s house.
****
The last bell rang Friday afternoon, and kids started running out of the classrooms, most usually by-passed their lockers, and went straight out the doors to their vehicles. I learned years ago to take my time and let the rush of kids die down before even trying to make my way to my locker. By the time I got my stuff gathered up, the hall was not as crowded, lowering the risk of being knocked into the wall.
I could see Hunter leaning against my car, looking down at his phone. He finally looked up when I reached the halfway mark between the school and my car, smiling at me. He put his phone in his pocket, and started walking toward me. No one else mattered as I made my way toward Hunter. I couldn’t even tell you who was walking or even drove past me in the parking lot. He scooped me up in his arms, hugging me so tight I couldn’t breathe. His eyes scanned the parking lot real quick, then lifted me up a few inches higher. “I’ve been waiting all day for this,” he whispered before kissing me.
“I missed you too,” I whispered in his ear.
“Let’s go drop your car off at your house. I have a surprise for you.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“I will show you after we drop your car off at your Mom’s house,” he said leading me back to my car and opening the driver side door for me. “I will be right behind you.”
He closed the door for me. I watched him walk back over to his SUV and get in. I pulled out of the school parking lot, looking in the rearview mirror to make sure Hunter was behind me. Every few miles, I found myself checking to make sure he was still following me to my mom’s house. I pulled in beside my mom’s vehicle, and gathered up my things to take inside.
“Mom, you here?” I yelled, looking in the living room to find her chair empty.
“I’m upstairs, putting towels away in the closet.”
I left my purse on the table across from the front door, and went upstairs to put my book bag in my room.
“Mom, I’m going to go out with Hunter. He’s got a surprise for me.” I smiled.
“I take it your sister is with Asher?” She peeked her head around the closet door. “I don’t know how I feel about her being with him. He puts me in the mind of your father.” She shivered in disgust.”
“I don’t think it will last. I can’t see her liking him for that long. You know how she is, always changing her mind about the boys she likes. I give it a couple weeks, maybe a month or two. So, are you okay with me going with Hunter?” I said, turning to go to my room.
“Sure. I take it you won’t be home for dinner tonight?”
“Probably not.”
I sat my book bag down beside my closet door, and sat down at my vanity to freshen up my makeup. To my surprise, it still looked pretty good. I put a little more powder on my nose to hide the shine, and lip gloss. I brushed my hair, then got up, yelling bye to Mom as I rushed past her. I opened the door, turning around to get my purse that I was about to forget. Hunter was sitting in his truck, looking down the road when he noticed I was staring at him from the porch. A warm smile spread across his face while he watched me walk down the steps and around to the passenger side.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, climbing up into the seat.
“It’s a surprise. But one you are going to love. Fasten your seatbelt, please,” he said, backing out of the driveway.
“You aren’t going to tell me, are you?”
“Nope. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
I didn’t like surprises, but I was enjoying being alone with Hunter.
He tried to distract me by talking, so I wouldn’t notice the direction he was driving. Little did he know that I was paying close attention to his driving. “You really aren’t going to tell me anything are you?” I turned to look at him. He kept looking straight ahead at the road, then smirked, shaking his head no. I reached down to get my phone out of my purse that was sitting on the floor board next to my left foot. There were no messages from Gavin or Sam. I texted each of them to see if by any chance they knew where Hunter could be taking me, but they were completely clueless like me. About thirty minutes later, I managed to figure out where he was taking me. I recognized the old abandoned gas station we were about to pass on the left. When I was little, we used to stop there and get drinks before going to the park that was down the road. I remembered Dad would take me in there and let me get a bottle of orange soda to put in the cooler for later during our picnic lunch.
“You okay, Londyn?” Hunter glanced over at me as we sped past the gas station.
“Huh? Yeah. You’re taking me to the park down the road, aren’t you?” I smiled.
“Yeah. How did you find out?” He looked down briefly at my phone in my hand.
“I recognized the abandoned gas station we just past. My Dad used to stop
there and get me orange soda.” I smiled again.
“Must be a good memory, by the look and smile on your face.”
“It’s a great memory.”
“Well, I hope today will be another great memory,” he said, turning right through the park entrance. I started looking out the passenger window at the people enjoying the beautiful Friday afternoon. Families playing, couples cuddling under the shaded trees, sipping on what looked like to be wine. The sun was peeking through the tops of the green trees. I was expecting Hunter to pull into the parking lot, but he kept driving.
“Aren’t we going to stop here?” I asked, still looking out the window.
“No. It’s too crowded here.” He kept driving, past the main part of the park. He pulled into another parking lot about a mile away. There were maybe six cars in the great big parking lot. He got out, walking around the front of the truck to the passenger back door. He grabbed a blanket and basket. I went to open the door, but he already had his hand on the door handle, opening it up for me. I placed my purse in the back on the floor board where no one could see it through the tinted windows. I was halfway out of the truck when I remembered I left my phone in my purse.
“What are you doing, Londyn?” Hunter asked.
“I have to get my phone. I want to get some pictures of us together.” I smiled, hopping down out of the truck.
He hit the lock before closing the door behind me. He reached down and took my hand as we started walking down the road. At this point, I didn’t care where he was leading me. We walked down the road far enough that when I turned back around I couldn’t see his truck anymore. I was about to ask him where exactly we were walking when off in the distance I could see this beautiful late surrounded by trees, wildflowers, and a huge weeping willow tree. There wasn’t another person around. We were all alone. Hunter sat the basket down, and spread the blanket out on the ground under the weeping willow tree. The leaves weren’t even close to the ground, so we were still able to sit under it and see the pretty flowers along the bed of the water. The sun danced along the small ripples as the wind blew across the water. In that moment, I realized this was worth the battle I was about to fight against my father.
