by Rushell Ann
Chapter 4
Dinner nightmares
I changed into some tan corduroy pants and a pink tee shirt with a zip up hoody and my hiking boots.
My normal attire.
“Wow you are such a fashion queen, aren’t you.” Sully chuckled.
“Hey, I like being comfortable, and I like to make my own holes in my pants, they cost less that way. Thank you very much,” I said as I grabbed my messenger bag and put the items in them that we found in the chest today. We were just about to leave my room.
“Oh, wait,” I said as I ran back over to my bed and fetched my letter from under my mattress.
I didn't want to leave the letter, not that I thought my dad would look for it.
We went downstairs and said goodbye to Dad and went out to the car.
“So, how about I drive?” Sully said.
“Um, No! I would like to get there in one piece if it’s all the same to you,” I said as I opened the driver’s door.
"Plus, it was my birthday gift," I stuck my tongue at her.
“Great, it’s going to take us a week to get to the other side of town,” Sully said as she opened her door.
Saska jumped in the front.
“Ok, look here mutt, I will not share this seat with you, your too big, now if you don’t want to see where your heaven is you’ll jump in the back before I get mad,” Sully said as she put her hands on her hips.
Saska let out a howl and jumped in the back.
“Well at least your dog knows who's boss,” Sully said as she shut the door.
“I wouldn’t test his tolerance, Sully, his teeth are bigger than yours,” I giggled as I started the car.
“It looks like your Dad installed a nice system, do you mind if we listen to some rock,” Sully said as she was already turning the station.
“I don’t mind. Just don’t blow the windows out before I get a chance to drive it,” I said as I pulled out of the garage.
We test drove the Camero while listening to Three Days Grace, it’s not my favorite but I do enjoy a few of the songs.
Sam’s house isn’t very far away so it only took us a few minutes, which means I didn’t get a chance to really see what the car could do. Well I’m sure I’ll have my chance soon.
I wasn’t looking forward to going inside Logan’s house, I’ve spent as much time in his house as my own.
“Jayden, let’s not stay to long, I hate being around emotional people. I’m not trying to be harsh, but I just can’t deal with too much drama.” Sully said. I understood where so was coming from. Logan's Mom could be a lot on a good day.
“Ok, I understand, there will probably be quite a few people there anyway, so if we say hello and sneak out, Sam won’t notice,” I said as I pulled up in front of Logan’s house.
Logan’s house is an older home in an established neighborhood. It’s white colonial style with the pillars on either side of the front door. Logan always loved to keep the lawn mowed and manicure the garden. Last summer we planted some tulips and lilacs by the front door. They bloomed so beautiful this year. I couldn’t stop staring at the flowers, until Sully grabbed my arm.
“Jayden, snap out of it, what’s your deal?” she said.
“I’m ok, let’s go.” I opened the door and Saska jumped over the seat and out on my side.
Saska was at the door before I was, which really made me start to wonder about this dog.
Sully rang the bell, but I wasn’t ready yet. I hadn’t seen Logan’s mom since the day after Logan’s drowning.
Sam answered the door. “Hi Jayden honey, how are you?” she asked and put her arms out to give me a hug.
“I’m ok, how are you?” I asked searching her face for signs of a break down.
“I’m getting by, it’s been hard, but I’ve had a full house since that day so it’s kept my mind off of Logan,” she said as she put her arm around both of us, ushering us into the house.
“Sam, I’m so sorry, I can’t imagine how hard it’s been,” I said as I followed her into the house.
The house was packed with people and food. I knew most of the people here, but crowds always made me jumpy.
“Sully, I want to thank you for being there for Jayden, I know how close you three were,” Sam said as she offered us a drink. We both shook our heads.
I noticed she didn't even flinch when a dog walked into her house with us.
“Sam, I wanted to talk to you about something, I hope that it’s not a bad time,” I said as I sat down on the stairs in the hall.
“No dear, you ask me whatever you like,” she said.
“At the funeral today, a guy named Blake Hamilton showed up and was talking to me…well he said that he was Logan’s brother,” I said as I was shocked that Sam didn’t show any reaction at all.
“Yes, Blake is Logan’s brother,” Sam said as she turned to say bye to someone that was leaving.
“Are you girls hungry, there is so much food, please help yourselves. I have to go fill some of the trays, if you’ll excuse me,” she said.
“Wait, Sam I wanted……” I tried to finish my sentence but she was already gone.
“Ok, well that went well, so what do you want to do now?” Sully asked me.
Saska ran past me up the stairs and I turned on instinct and followed him, he went into Logan’s room.
Saska went and leaped onto Logan’s bed and laid down.
“Well I guess you feel comfortable here don’t ya boy,” I said as I went and sat next to him, stroking his soft fur. He liked the petting so much that he rolled over on his back and started fishing back and forth.
Weird.
Being in Logan’s room was making it hard for me to breath. The room smelled of him so much that I couldn’t help but close my eyes and take a deep breath. The woods, that what he smelled like, fresh cut wood. I laid down on his bed and started thinking about him. I'd spent as much time in his room as he had in mine.
“I think your laying on my coat,” A boys voice said.
“Uhh what,” I said. I sat up and standing in front of me was Blake.
“My coat, your laying on my coat,” he said as he pointed to the bed.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said as I stood up and handed him his coat, trying to brush off the dog fur that had managed to layer his coat.
“So I think we got off on the wrong foot. I want to be friends and I think my news of being Logan’s brother threw you for a loop,” he said as he put on his black pea coat, which now looked a gray color.
I couldn't help it.
I busted out laughing, uncontrollably with tears running down my face.
"What's funny?" he asked me with a frown.
I got myself under control, or tried to anyway.
"Sorry, it's just been a strange couple of days. I'm not laughing at you exactly," I wiped the tears from my face.
"Saska, let's go. Off the bed,"
He just laid there.
“Saska, get off the bed, please?” I asked. He jumped down.
“So that dog seems to be with you all the time,” he asked.
“Yeah he is, so what,” I said as I started to look around Logan’s room.
“I was just making an observation,” he said.
“So, who didn’t invite me to the party?” Sully asked as she stood in the bedroom doorway.
“Hi Sully, you remember Blake from last night,” I said.
“Sure do, it was a good thing that you followed Jayden or we might be going to two funerals today,” Sully said.
“About last night, do you know those two guys, what was that all about?” Blake asked.
“I have no idea what that was about, I think they were just bad guys, but I’m really lucky that you showed up, or I would be dead. I can’t thank you enough for saving me,” I said as I picked up a picture on Logan’s desk. It was a picture of him and I at a picnic last summer.
“Your dog seems to be ok, even though it looked like he got shot last night.�
�� Blake stated as he raised one of his eyebrows.
“It just grazed him, he was lucky for a mutt,” Sully said.
Saska growled softly.
“I don’t think he likes you calling him a mutt Sully.
“So Sam tells me that you are going off to college in a few weeks,” Blake said.
“Well I’m not sure what’s happening right now,” I didn't feel comfortable with telling this strange guy about my plans.
Sully looked at me and mouthed something. I couldn’t tell what it was.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I haven’t eaten yet,” he said as he left the room.
I waited until he was almost down the stairs.
“What were you trying to tell me?” I asked her.
“Why are you not being honest with him, he seems like a really nice guy and he might be able to help,” Sully said.
“My mother told me not to trust people, and him throwing it out there that he’s Logan’s half brother just doesn’t sit right with me,” I said.
“Hey Jayden, you need to let that go, no one can control who their family is and it’s not Blake’s fault,” she said as she went over and started opening one of the dresser drawers. "Imagine what it feels like to find out that you have a sibling that you never knew about, let alone one that dies right after finding him. Yesh, why am I the one having to tell you to be compassionate?"
“Sully, what are you doing, get out of there….that’s Logan’s personal space,” I said as I hurried over and started to shut the drawer.
“It’s not likes it’s a big deal, he’s dead Jayden,” Sully said as she walked over and sat on the bed.
“Sully….do you have to talk like that,” Jayden asked.
“Oh…so sorry…he’s passed away onto peaceful plains. Is that better?” Sully asked as she crossed her arms glaring at me.
“I feel weird enough being in his room, I don’t want to go through his things, what if he’s watching,” Jayden said.
“You mean like in ghosts,” Sully laughed. “You're not serious are you Jayden,” Sully asked.
“With what’s been happening already, I wouldn’t be surprised,” I said as I was almost done closing the drawer when something caught my eye. I opened the drawer again and pushed the clothes a side. There sat an envelope with my name on it.
“Jayden, I thought you said I couldn’t look through his drawers, what would you call what you are doing?” Sully asked and she came and stood next to me.
“Sully, this envelope has my name on it,” I said as I pulled it out from under the clothes.
“Gnarly, another letter from the dead,” Sully said as she rubbed her hands together.
“He didn’t write it from the dead, he must have written it before he died,” I said.
“So, are you going to open it?” Sully asked.
“Open what?” Sam asked.
Sam had come into the room without us noticing, she must have floated in, because the hardwoods in this house creak before you even think about stepping on them.
As I turned around I kept my hand behind my back so that she couldn’t see the envelope.
“Oh, well, um, Sully and I were just talking about Logan. Sam, I wanted to talk to you about something. I know you are really busy with a house full of guests, but it’s important,” I said.
“Sure Jayden, I’m sorry, I’ve been ignoring you haven’t I…..Please have a seat and we’ll talk,” she said as she motioned for me to sit on Logan’s bed.
Sam sat next to the dog and I sat on the other side of him. Sully remained standing leaning on the dresser.
“So, what would you like to talk to me about, I’m all ears,” Sam said as she stroked Saska.
She didn't seem like a mother grieving, but who am I to say how someone should feel in a time like this. It just was a little too cavalier for me.
“You and my mother were friends right?” I asked.
“Yes we were friends?” She stated.
“Well I was wondering if she ever talked about her parents with you? My Grandparents,” I asked.
“Well, why do you want to know about your grandparents….now. Why after all this time do you want to find them now?” She asked.
“Find them… so her grandparents are still alive!” Sully jumped in and said.
“Well…yes they are still alive. I’m not sure that your mother wanted you to know them, or she would have brought you into their world,” Sam said.
Into their world?
Strange.
“Do you know where they are at….I really need to find them?” I asked.
“Jayden, I would stay away from your grandparents….it’s something your mother would have wanted you to do. Like you said, we were friends,” she said as she stood. Obviously not interested in talking about this anymore.
“Well my mother isn’t alive anymore, and they are my family….so are you going to help me or not?” I asked with anger in my voice and if my eyes could kill they would. How dare she not tell me about my own family. She sat for several moments staring at me, contemplating telling me. I could see it working behind her eyes.
"I'll tell you. Your grandmothers last name is McCormick, I’m sure that you could find them by looking them up…or asking anyone in town once you get there, I’m sure that everyone knows who they are. It's a small town, Ocean Park. Now if you ladies will excuse me I have guests that I need to see to.” She walked out.
I just sat there, I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Well that's a start.” Sully said.
I had so many questions, but I guess they wouldn't come from Logan's Mom.
“Well now we have what we need, what do you want to do now?” Sully asked as she came and sat next to me on the bed.
“Well I want to go talk to my grandparents, I wonder why they never came to try and find me after mom died. I know I’m sounded completely paranoid but did you see they way that Sam was with Saska? They’ve never had pets in this house, but she was so comfortable with a dog in her house,” I said.
“She’s not telling us something,” Sully said.
“I agree, she's hiding something, but now is not a good time to confront her,” I said as I got up off the bed.
“Are you going to open that envelope?” Sully asked.
“Not right now, I want to get out of here,” Jayden said.
We left Logan’s bedroom and made our way downstairs to the front door with Blake leaning against the wall like he was waiting for us.
“Are you ladies leaving so soon?” Blake asked.
“Yes, we need to get ready for a trip. I hope that all goes well with you Blake, and I’m sorry that you had to lose your brother when you didn’t get a chance to know him. He was a wonderful person and you would have loved to know him,” I said as I opened the front door. I meant what I said. Logan would have loved to get to know his brother.
“I’m sure your right Jayden, but I’m glad that I get the chance to meet you at least,” he said as he held the door for Sully and I.
We walked out the door with Saska following. I felt bad for blowing him off, but all of these things were really starting to make me paranoid and not want to trust anyone.
We were almost to my car when Sully grabbed me hard by my arm and stopped me.
“Don’t move Jayden,” Sully said as she started to move closer to me.
There were three large dogs moving towards us with their teeth bared and deep growls coming from them that would scare the toughest person. They looked more like wolves, like Saska. The front one was dark gray and the two that flanked either side of him were gray and white mix.
Saska jumped out in front of us and got into the defense position. His hackles were tall and spiky….clearly up. His growl was just as fierce, it made me feel better that we had one of those on our side. I didn't know what a dog bite felt like and I didn't want to start now.
“Sully, what do we do, Saska can’t protect us from all of them,” I said as I couldn�
�t think straight, the fear was so strong I just froze, not sure what to do.
The car was about 15 feet away, but it was behind where the dogs were gathered. I didn’t think we could make it.
“I don’t know, but I’m not getting bit by a dog….that would really suck. Don’t you have to get like a tetanus shot or something?” Sully said as she held my arm tighter.
The dogs were circling us.
“Saska, you get over here, I don’t want you getting hurt. Come here,” I said.
It didn’t do any good, he just moved closer to the three dogs. Within a second the closest dog took a leap that I would of sworn was not in the boundaries of dog and landed on Saska. They rolled around on the ground for what felt like an eternity, but then it just stopped and all three dogs ran away.
“Are you guys ok?” Blake asked as he came running up behind us.
“We’re ok, that was really freaky,” I said still holding onto Sully.
“Ok scaredy cat, you can let me go, your holding on so tight I think I’ve lost feeling in my arm,” Sully said as she pulled free of my grasp.
“Why did they just leave like that?” I asked my voice shaky with every word.
“I must have scared them off, as soon as I opened the door and started running towards you they just took off,” Blake said scanning the street.
Saska came walking up to me, he looked ok, but it could have been a lot worse.
“Are you ok Saska, let me look at you,” I said as I checked him out.
“It looks like you have a little scratch or two, but you're ok….thank you so much, you are the best dog anyone could have. So like are you my guardian angel or what?” I asked him as I pulled him real close to give him a hug.
“You seem to have the worst luck lately Jayden,” Blake said.
“I guess lately I do…….thank you for coming out. I wasn’t sure what Sully and I were going to do. Saska couldn’t have taken all three of them,” I said.
“Jayden are you sure it’s a good idea that we go so far away from home right now, all of these weird things is really starting to freak me out,” Sully said.
“If you don’t mind me asking, where are you guys going?” Blake asked.
“It really isn’t any of your business. Plus I want to leave, they could come back,” I said.
“Ok, I just thought I could help you if you needed it, but if that’s the way you want to be I’ll just leave,” Blake said as he turned to go back into the house.
“Jayden,” Sully whispered.
“Blake…wait….I’m sorry, I’ve been on edge lately, I didn’t mean it like that,” I said.
Blake turned around and I ran up to him.
“I found out where my grandparents live and I was going to go find them, I’ve never seen them before,” I said as I put my hand on his arm.
“That’s exciting, where do they live?” Blake asked.
“Somewhere outside of Long Beach….I was going to go let my Dad know that we were going to take a couple of weeks and head out there, but with these last two days, things are getting very dangerous,” I said.
“I could go with you, if you want. I don’t have anything going on right now,” Blake said.
I looked at Sully and she gave me the o.k. grin. She just flowed from one thing to other, not much every ruffles her feathers. I admired her.
“That might be a good idea…we’re going to go back to my house and get our stuff together and talk to my Dad. Do you want us to pick you up on our way out of town?” I asked him.
“Actually I’ll just meet you at your house…I’ll see you in a while,” Blake said.
Sully, Saska and I got back in my car and drove to my house. Sully and I didn’t talk much on the way. Things were getting strange and scary and neither of us knew why.
“Jayden, I just have to run home and get my things, I’ll leave a note for my cousin. She won’t mind since she’s still gone on her trip anyway,” Sully said as she got out of the car.
“I hope my Dad is ok with this, he’s so protective sometimes,” I said.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine with it, just don’t mention the dog attack, which might make him flip his lid,” Sully said as she walked away.
“Yeah, ok, I’ll see you in a few Sully,” I waved by and went into the house and started to pass dad who was in his study on his computer.
“Hi Dad,” I said as I walked in to his study.
“Hi Jayden, how was Sam, is she holding up ok?” he asked.
“Yes, she seems to be, she doesn’t have time to think about Logan when she has all those people in her house. Sam told me where Mom’s parents live. I need to ask you if you mind if I go see them?” I asked my dad as I sat down in the wing chair.
My Dad sat back in his chair with his hands behind his head. “Honey, if you want to go and find them…that's up to you. Just hope for the best but expect the worst. Your Mother wrote her parents off a long time ago, so there might be bitter feelings that have nothing to do with you, that might be dropped right in your lap,” Dad said.
“I’m going with little hope, but I really feel like I need to do this,” I said.
“Why are you so stuck on finding them, did your mothers letter say something that you're not telling me, Jayden,” Dad said.
“Dad, I really don’t want to talk about it right now, maybe when I get back, ok,” I said knowing that he wasn’t going to let it go. My dad doesn’t like secrets, and this one just seems to want to come to the surface.
“Just keep in mind that their problems aren't your problems. Don't let them pull you into old family history. Jayden, about that letter, I gave you that letter and I respected your mother’s wishes not to open it, but over the last few days, things just don’t seem right and I have a feeling that your mother’s letter has something to do with it.” My dad said as he stood up and came around his desk and sat on the edge in front of me.
“Ok dad, but you're not going to like it….Mom asked me in her letter not to show it to you. She didn’t really say much, but that was one of her requests. I’m sorry Dad, but I want to honor Mom and I have to do what she asks,” I said as I stood up and went and wrapped my arms tight around him. He felt stiff at first and then molded right in there and hugged me back with a fierce hold. He pulled me slightly away and looked down at me and asked, “Why would your Mother hide something from me, that doesn’t make any sense? We were always so honest with each other.”
He looked sad, I was hoping that her letter wouldn’t come up, but I couldn’t keep lying to him, it hurt me too much.
“Dad I know Mom didn’t intend to hurt you, in her letter she wanted you to know how much she misses you and loves you,” I said.
“Did she really say that?” Dad asked.
“Come on Dad, you and Mom were two love birds that made everyone sick with envy,” I said.
“I know, it’s just hard without her, I miss her every day. Sometimes my chest gets tight and I think I’m not going to be able to breathe.” Dad admitted.
“Dad, I miss her too,” I said as I gave him a hug.
“You be careful Jayden, I don’t know what I would do if I lost you too. You’re all I have left in this world,” he said as he squeezed me tighter.
“I can’t breathe Dad,” I gasped.
“Oh sorry, ok well, go get ready, so it’s just you and Sully going?” He asked.
“Umm no, it’s me Sully, Saska and Blake,” I said as I started to leave the study.
“Blake, who’s Blake?” He growled.
Great, I knew this was going to come up. How do I explain this, and how is Dad going to feel about a guy going with us.
“Blake is Logan’s half brother, I just found out at his funeral. He offered to go, and he seems like a really nice guy,” I said.
“Jayden, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ve told you about boys and what they are like. Plus you just met him, we know nothing about his family,” he said.
“Dad, Sully’s goin
g with me and Saska too. Saska wouldn’t let anyone hurt me; he seems to be my personal protector. It will be ok Dad,” I said.
I could tell by the look on his face that he didn't like this, not one bit. It was there to try and stop me but he was trying to let me go slowly.
Very slowly.
“Ok, but I want you to call me every day to make sure you’re alright,” Dad said.
“Everyday Dad!" I screeched.
"Every day, is NOT happening Dad," I firmly told him.
He just stared at me, with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against his desk.
"Seriously! Come on Dad, how about every other day?" I asked.
No matter how crazy I made my face, he still just stared at me with a blank look on his face.
"Fine. Fine. I will try my hardest, but I might get busy and forget. So don't flip out when that happens,” I said exasperated.
"Every day Jayden or you're not going!" he said with finality as I walked away. I knew he meant it. At this point, it was pointless to argue with him.
I went up to my room and packed for about a week, I really didn’t have any idea how long we would be gone. I made sure I packed warm clothes, since it is the ocean weather and can be little unpredictable, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Who knows if they still live there, or if they do, would they really want to know who I am. I grabbed a few of my zip up hoodies and few warm sweaters. I would rather layer up and be on the safe side. While I packed, I kept thinking about what we found in my Mom’s chest and what it all meant, I still needed to read those letters from my grandmother to my Mother. I finished up packing when my cell phone rang.
“Hello” I said, but I knew it was going to be Sully.
“Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I’m packed and on my way,” she said.
“I’ll make some dinner for both of us if you haven’t eaten yet,” I said knowing if we were to eat anything healthy if would have to be me cooking. Sully could mess up a box of macaroni and cheese.
“That would groovy, I’m famished. I couldn’t eat at Logan’s house,” she said.
“I understand me either. Ok, come on over and I should have something put together by the time you get here,” I said.
She hung up and I grabbed my bag and started downstairs.
(Whining) I looked behind me and Saska was sitting next to my bed whining.
“What’s wrong? I haven’t forget about you, I’ll make you something when we get downstairs. Or do you want dog food, it’s been so busy I haven’t had a chance to go get anything from the store,” I said as I walked up to him and squatted down and stroked his chest.
“Come on let’s go, we need to get going soon,” I said as I started back towards the door.
I turned around and he was still sitting there.
“Ok, what’s the deal; you have been a great dog until this moment, what seems to be the problem?” I asked him.
He jumped onto my bed and laid down.
“Are you tired…or what, you don’t want to leave right now, is that it.?” I asked him, thinking that he would be able to tell me what was wrong.
I turned around and thought if I start to leave maybe be will follow. As I started towards the door he barked at me.
“Ok, now you know that I don’t understand dog talk, so I have no idea what the problem is,” I said.
He jumped off the bed and went and started to drag my bag back to my closet.
“So you don’t want me to go is that it,” I said.
He barked again.
“I have to go, you can come with me too, I suppose that I could ask my Dad to watch over you while I’m gone,” I said as I stared at him.
“I have no idea where you came from or why you are still with me, but I have to go on this trip. Come if you want, but I’m going,” I said as I went over and picked up my bag and walked out of my room.
I could hear him walking behind me. I just hope that bringing him along doesn’t cause me more of a problem.
I stopped and he walked up beside me.
“If you can understand me like I think you do, I have to find out what my Mom’s letter meant and why those two guys tried to kill me and the dog attacks,” I said has I bend down and kissed him on his nose.
He licked my face.
“Dog breath, just wanted I wanted,” I said as I wiped my face off. “I’m going to take that as a yes you’ll go with me,” I said.
On the way to the kitchen I stopped by Dad’s study and asked him if he wanted me to make a plate for him. He declined, saying that he had eaten earlier and he was going out in a while.
In the kitchen I found a casserole that my Dad had made a few days ago, he loves to cook; we always have something in the fridge to heat up. I dished up two plates knowing that Sully would scarf down whatever I put in front of her. She never gets to eat home cooked meals, with her cousin traveling all the time.
I had just pulled the first plate out of the microwave when I heard a tapping coming from the backslider.
I walked over and Blake was standing in my back yard with a smile.
“Hi Blake, you have come to the front door,” I said as I stepped aside to let him by.
“I thought it might be better not to have to talk to your Dad right now. He’s probably not very happy that his little girl is going on a trip with a boy he doesn’t know,” he said while looking around.
“I’m not his little girl anymore, but I understand what you’re saying. He did confront me about you, but he let it go. He knows that I’ve had a rough week so he’s not pushing it. My Dad is pretty easy going as long as I’m honest with him,” I said.
“It’s nice that you have that kind of relationship with your Dad,” he said.
“Would you like some dinner, I was just warming up some for Sully and I,” I said as I went back around the breakfast bar to grab another plate.
“If you’re sure you have enough, I ate a little at Elvina’s, but every time I tried to put a bite in my mouth someone came up and would start asking me questions, so I really didn’t get much down,” he said as he sat down at the breakfast bar.
“I have enough; my Dad doesn’t know how to make for two, especially when it comes to casseroles. Can I get you something to drink as well, we have soda, or juice…” I said as I opened the fridge to get the casserole.
“I would love a glass of water, thank you,” he said with that smile.
He really is very handsome in that mysterious way. His eyes are a dark brown with dark brows and lashes. He has one of the most welcoming smiles, it’s the kind of smile that makes you want to open up to him and tell him everything.
“I’m really glad that you are going, thinks have been so strange lately and the more of us there are the stronger is makes me feel,” I said.
I gave him a warm plate of my Dad’s chicken casserole and a glass of water. I was just putting down Sully’s dinner when she popped into the kitchen.
“What’s smells so good, chief?” Sully asked.
“Chicken casserole. What would you like to drink?” I asked her as she sat down next to Blake.
“I’ll take one of those cold beers I saw in the fridge,” Sully smiles at me.
“Hello Sully, did I miss your 21st birthday?” Dad sad as he came into the kitchen.
“No, but I thought it sounded good with the casserole. I’ll take some water too Jayden,” Sully said.
“So, this must be Blake.” My Dad said as he came and stood next to me in the kitchen.
“Hi Mr. St.Claire, yes I’m Blake, it’s nice to finally meet you,” he stood up and offered is hand to my Dad.
“So I hear that you are going to Ilwaco with my daughter and Sully. I want you to be aware that my daughter has taken plenty of self defense classes, her pepper spray and a tazer.” Dad said.
“Dad, I’m sure that there won’t be any need for that, plus it’s not a very nice welcome is it,” I said as I started to eat my dinner.
"It’s ok Jayden, if I had a daughter I would probably feel the same way. I will look out for your daughter and treat her with the utmost respect,” Blake said.
“You see that you do, or you might see a side of me that hasn’t come out in many years,” he said as he took a drink from his glass of I water I had poured him.
“Ok, ok, thanks Dad for putting the fear of god into my friend. I’m sure that he appreciates that,” I said and I frowned at him.
Dad finished eating his plate and left us alone, but not before he told to make sure that I checked with him before I left.
“Your Dad is very protective of you isn’t he,” Sully said.
“He’s just worried about me, I’m all he has left,” I said.
While Sully and Blake were finishing their food I searched the fridge wondering what I was going to feed Saska.
“So Saska, what are you in the mood for…I’m not really sure what I have that you might like. Do you want to try some of this casserole, it’s pretty good.” I looked down at Saska and he gave me a quite bark.
I dished some up and put it down for him, he seemed content with what I gave him. I wonder how he would fair on our road trip, he seems to listen to me very well, but sometimes he has a mind of his own.
When we all finished eating, we grabbed our things, said goodbye to my Dad and loaded up my car.
