Sam stays quiet, for a few minutes, or miles, if you prefer. Then again, he doesn't talk that much normally, so this isn't anything new. Still, I can barely stand the silence. His face is turned to the window, gazing into the hazy morning light as we drive down the highway. I can't help but think that I've hurt him someway.
I finally can't take it anymore and turn on the radio. The electrical system should be primed enough so there won't be any problems. In a second, I hear the distinctive twang of country music blaring out. I'm not sure, but I think it might be Blake Shelton.
"What's that?" Sam asks, finally looking at me again.
"Sorry. I forgot that a country music station starts overriding the signal once we get to the Parkway. I think it has illegally boosted its power, a little. I only started to pick up this far west a year or so ago. Let me change it. There's a free trial on satellite going on. We'll be able to pick something better up no matter where we go."
I switch bands. Adrianna Grande replaces Blake. At least I can stand her, not that much out of place from what I should have been listening to.
"Free trial. Is that why we aren't flying? Are you so cheap that you can't even get an extra plan ticket?" Sam began to whine, voice cracking even worse.
"Actually, I have a medical condition that prevent me from flying. At least for long periods of time."
"So, you're afraid to fly. Big deal. You could work around, uh, it," Sam yawned. He continued even after he finished speaking. His mouth stays open for almost half a minute.
"No. My head could explode."
"What?! What is with you? Your head won't explode," Sam stared at me in disbelief, before he yawned again.
"Well, not literally. It started back in college, my first spring break. Rick, Will, and I were going to fly down to Daytona to meet up with Pete, and some of our high school friends. It would be the first time we saw him since he transferred. It was also my first time in a plane. Everything started out okay. I was a little scared, but not really. Both Rick and Will had flown many times, so they assured me.
"A few minutes into the flight, my head started to hurt. I had had a cold the last week, so I just thought I was still recovering. No big deal. The headache got worse, fast. By the time we were halfway to Florida, I could barely hold my head up. The pain was so bad, I had to keep my eyes shut. The pain was right behind them. This is when Will, the pre-med student, asked the flight attendant for something to ease for the pain. He got me an aspirin, which I took immediately.
"It barely worked. The pain eased a little, but I still could barely keep my eyes open. Just before we landed, I got a nosebleed, both nostrils at once. Sure, I've had nosebleeds before, but not both sides at once. I started to get scared. There wasn't much blood, but still. The bleeding stopped, mostly, after I got off the plane. Strangely enough, it was Rick who suggested I go to the hospital after we got our bags. I balked, but they ganged up on me.
"The taxi dropped me off at the ER, while the others went to the hotel. Now, this was on a Saturday night. The ER was packed. Apparently, there had been some sort of major traffic accident. I waited almost two hours before anyone saw me. By this time, the nosebleed had ended and my headache had mostly stopped. Still, the doctors suggested we run multiple tests, as some of the worst case scenarios were pretty fatal.
"The simple tasks took no time at all. However, the CT scan had a long wait. It wasn't until Sunday morning that I got in. The technician stared to joke with me while the very long scan processed. I've met quite a few radiological techs over the years, and every single one of them, men and women, all seem to have this quirky sense of humor. Always joking during the procedure. I am just lying there, trying not to move. It's stupid.
"Late Sunday night, still hadn't been to the hotel and no one came asking about me, I got the results from the scan. They needed to run another test, as they said they may have spotted something, but they weren't going to tell me without some more proof. Sometime after midnight, I got more scans taken of my head. Same wise-cracking tech. Why?
"Cut to the chase. Late Monday evening, the doctors finally came to see me with the results. When I was younger, I had multiple ear and sinus infections. It got so bad, I needed tubes in my ears to help drain excess fluids. However, I developed a complication mid-surgery. My mother had the operation halted before the tubes could be placed.
"Apparently, scar tissue had formed. Normally, it just caused my sinuses to take longer to drain. However, when I got into the pressurized cabin of the plane, my sinuses began to swell. Since they were already fairly full from my cold, they exerted pressure in my head. The scar tissue prevented them from draining fast enough, hence the headache. The pressure caused a few smaller blood vessels to burst, hence the nosebleed. I was lucky the flight hadn't been longer, otherwise the aspirin could have led to a larger nosebleed. Or worst, my sinuses could have swelled so much, they might have burst. My head wouldn't have exploded, per se, but there could have been considerable damage.
"The hospital wanted to admit me for an immediate operation, but I refused. I din't have them time, and my insurance might not have covered it. I was still getting used to the plan my mother foisted once when I started college. Anyway, I was let out. It was early Tuesday morning.
"None of my friends came to see me. Rick have met this girl, and the two quickly hit it off, especially after they found out they were both in Lexington. This was how Rick met his future wife, by the way. The guys were having so much fun, that they had forgotten about me. It was the first time they had abandoned me. I told them what happened, hoping to get some fun in, when Pete reminded me that I wouldn't be able to fly back home. I was going to have to ride a bus. Meaning I would have to leave by the next day to get back to school on time.
"I gave Pete my plane ticket, and he helped get a bus ticket. I left Tuesday night. They got to stay until Friday morning. I never got the operation to cure my condition. I just thought it would be easier to never fly again. I'm sorry I forgot to mention this to you, but it won't be too long before we get there. Trust me."
Sam is asleep, his head against the window. It doesn't look like he's been asleep too long. Maybe he heard most of my story. I hum a few bars of Rhianna before I turn to one of the news stations. We're almost at the West Virginia border.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Dada: Chapter 7b
"You live near one of your oldest friends and didn't even know? How could you not?" Sam asked, his voice steady but still quiet.
I slowly get onto the a the main road, getting ready to cross onto the feeder to New Circle.
"Long story. It actually starts in grade school. My best friend was Larry Meadows; he lived just down the road. Only boy my age nearby. We were close, even though he was an athlete and I was kind of a nerd. I was always taller than him, though. Usually an inch or so, but about three in fifth grade. Strangely enough, I was always one of the tallest boys in class. Until eighth grade. That's when the other boys starting to catch up and surpass me. I was stuck at 5' 1" the entire year, but I was still taller than Larry.
"At Christmas break, I was still an inch taller than him. When we came back, he was a half inch taller than me. And he didn't stop growing. He became the star player on the basketball team, almost overnight. By spring break, he was 5' 10", tallest in class. Taller than most of the teachers, even. By the end of the year, he was 6' 1", a foot taller than me! Near that last day of school, I overheard him talking to another guy about how Larry was going to a different high school so he would be on a better team. Larry never even hinted that we wasn't going to high school with me, or moving. He was afraid to hurt my feelings, but this was worse. Larry and his folks moved a week after school let out. A new family moved in a few weeks later. They had a son near my age, but I didn't meet him. I moped inside the entire summer. I only saw Larry once more, when his school played mine. He was listed as 6' 5", but I doubt he was much over 6' 4". Their team won, by twenty or so. Don't really remember how Larry did. No idea if he played in college. Pretty sure he's not playing pro."
I get onto New Circle, after the longest light. I'm rarely out this early, so I don't know how the pattern sets up.
"Anyway, I go to school for freshman orientation. The senior showing me around, Jim Greenwood, he tells me things I would never have figured out on my own about high school. He had gone to another feeder school, so I Neve had seen him before. He noticed that I wasn't hanging out anyone in particular, so at the end of the day, he took me to meet his brother. Will was starting school too, but he looked nothing like his brother. Black hair to Jim's brown. Skinny to Jim's heavier frame. Jim was a little taller, but Will carried it better. Will was with his best friend, Rick Morris. The two were almost twin, they looked so alike, but only from a distance. Rick was slightly taller and heavier, with lighter black/brown hair. They were with Pete Dentry, the kid who had moved into Larry's old place. He had dark blond hair, muscles. About 6' 1", tallest one there. Apparently, Jim paired Pete up with his brother earlier. I was scared, and I didn't think..."
Sam was trying to stifle a laugh, but failing miserably. I hadn't seem him like this before.
"What's so funny?"
"Your friends' names. Jimmy, Willie, Dick, and Peter," Sam said in a fit mixed in with giggles. "Don't tell me you never noticed?"
"They preferred Jim, Will, Rick, and Pete. Anyway, I had every class with the three of them, and saw Jim almost daily. Those three guys were my best friends by the end of the first week of school, and we were all but inseparable those four years. We always had at least one class together, and had one of us in every other, even though we had different interests. We even got into UK together. Will and I were going to share a dorm, with Pete and Rick next door. It would have been perfect."
I turn onto Interstate 64. Traffic was still fairly light. I wait a second before I continue my story. The next part is always hard for me.
"Near the end of that first semester, Pete's dad had a mild heart attack. Nothing major, but Pete felt he needed to be closer to home. He transferred to a community college over the break. At the start of our sophomore year, Rick began to put us off to be with his girlfriend from Transylvania."
"Transylvania? What was she, a vampire?" Sam had to gasp. Most outsiders kind of do.
"Transylvania University. Private school in Lexington. First one founded west of the Appalachians. Fairly prestigious. Anyway, he declared he was going into pre-law. He began to hang out almost exclusively with his law buddies after that. He even changed dorm rooms.
"At the start of junior year, Will says he was applying to a med school in Virginia, the same one his brother went to. Don't get me wrong. Jim was the big brother I always wanted, but Will was the smart one. He could have gotten in anywhere, but his first choice was a small school almost in the middle of nowhere. He was even thinking of transferring early. He didn't, but it still stung. I moved off campus for the second semester. Didn't really get to see Rick or Will during our last year there.
"In fact, until last summer, I hadn't heard anything from any of them. I kind of cared, but I didn't know for sure. Rick had actually moved in a few weeks before I finally saw him. I don't really pay attention to the neighbors. From him, I found out what happened to them, even connected a little.
The three have them had managed to keep in touch for the last six years, but they didn't know where to find me.
"Pete became a chem teacher at the new consolidated school that replaced our old high school. He's also the vice-principal. He's finishing up his PhD. He got married and divorced the year after he graduated. However, he went to Vegas this March and married an English teacher at the school. I never thought he would go into teaching, or impulsively marrying someone.
"Will is now a psychiatrist at the university hospital where he graduated. He's working with his brother who is an ear, nose, and throat guy. Will is married with a little boy, while Jim has twin toddler boys and a little girl. I didn't think he would like Virginia so much to stay there.
"Rick is now a junior associate at his father-in-law's firm. He married his college sweetheart, who also works there, when she's not on maternity leave. They have a little girl, and a boy on the way. Rick was always into journalism, I never got how he went into law. I mean, he father is a sheriff's deputy, but he never seemed interested insect things.
"Then there's me. Had to take an extra semester just to graduate. Messed up applying to grad school so bad, that I never got in. My last girlfriend broke up with me last December, and I haven't dated since. Oh, and I almost got fired from my job yesterday, the one I can barely stand. I wanted to write, and here I am doing nothing with my life. Not knowing what to do with it and ..."
"I don't mean to interrupt your interesting story and all," Sam silently interrupted, "but when are we getting to the airport? We just passed a sign saying we are headed towards Ashland and Huntington, WV. I might not be familiar with here, but I don't think we are going the right way."
"Ah, I guess I forgot to tell you. We aren't flying to New York. We're driving."
I slowly get onto the a the main road, getting ready to cross onto the feeder to New Circle.
"Long story. It actually starts in grade school. My best friend was Larry Meadows; he lived just down the road. Only boy my age nearby. We were close, even though he was an athlete and I was kind of a nerd. I was always taller than him, though. Usually an inch or so, but about three in fifth grade. Strangely enough, I was always one of the tallest boys in class. Until eighth grade. That's when the other boys starting to catch up and surpass me. I was stuck at 5' 1" the entire year, but I was still taller than Larry.
"At Christmas break, I was still an inch taller than him. When we came back, he was a half inch taller than me. And he didn't stop growing. He became the star player on the basketball team, almost overnight. By spring break, he was 5' 10", tallest in class. Taller than most of the teachers, even. By the end of the year, he was 6' 1", a foot taller than me! Near that last day of school, I overheard him talking to another guy about how Larry was going to a different high school so he would be on a better team. Larry never even hinted that we wasn't going to high school with me, or moving. He was afraid to hurt my feelings, but this was worse. Larry and his folks moved a week after school let out. A new family moved in a few weeks later. They had a son near my age, but I didn't meet him. I moped inside the entire summer. I only saw Larry once more, when his school played mine. He was listed as 6' 5", but I doubt he was much over 6' 4". Their team won, by twenty or so. Don't really remember how Larry did. No idea if he played in college. Pretty sure he's not playing pro."
I get onto New Circle, after the longest light. I'm rarely out this early, so I don't know how the pattern sets up.
"Anyway, I go to school for freshman orientation. The senior showing me around, Jim Greenwood, he tells me things I would never have figured out on my own about high school. He had gone to another feeder school, so I Neve had seen him before. He noticed that I wasn't hanging out anyone in particular, so at the end of the day, he took me to meet his brother. Will was starting school too, but he looked nothing like his brother. Black hair to Jim's brown. Skinny to Jim's heavier frame. Jim was a little taller, but Will carried it better. Will was with his best friend, Rick Morris. The two were almost twin, they looked so alike, but only from a distance. Rick was slightly taller and heavier, with lighter black/brown hair. They were with Pete Dentry, the kid who had moved into Larry's old place. He had dark blond hair, muscles. About 6' 1", tallest one there. Apparently, Jim paired Pete up with his brother earlier. I was scared, and I didn't think..."
Sam was trying to stifle a laugh, but failing miserably. I hadn't seem him like this before.
"What's so funny?"
"Your friends' names. Jimmy, Willie, Dick, and Peter," Sam said in a fit mixed in with giggles. "Don't tell me you never noticed?"
"They preferred Jim, Will, Rick, and Pete. Anyway, I had every class with the three of them, and saw Jim almost daily. Those three guys were my best friends by the end of the first week of school, and we were all but inseparable those four years. We always had at least one class together, and had one of us in every other, even though we had different interests. We even got into UK together. Will and I were going to share a dorm, with Pete and Rick next door. It would have been perfect."
I turn onto Interstate 64. Traffic was still fairly light. I wait a second before I continue my story. The next part is always hard for me.
"Near the end of that first semester, Pete's dad had a mild heart attack. Nothing major, but Pete felt he needed to be closer to home. He transferred to a community college over the break. At the start of our sophomore year, Rick began to put us off to be with his girlfriend from Transylvania."
"Transylvania? What was she, a vampire?" Sam had to gasp. Most outsiders kind of do.
"Transylvania University. Private school in Lexington. First one founded west of the Appalachians. Fairly prestigious. Anyway, he declared he was going into pre-law. He began to hang out almost exclusively with his law buddies after that. He even changed dorm rooms.
"At the start of junior year, Will says he was applying to a med school in Virginia, the same one his brother went to. Don't get me wrong. Jim was the big brother I always wanted, but Will was the smart one. He could have gotten in anywhere, but his first choice was a small school almost in the middle of nowhere. He was even thinking of transferring early. He didn't, but it still stung. I moved off campus for the second semester. Didn't really get to see Rick or Will during our last year there.
"In fact, until last summer, I hadn't heard anything from any of them. I kind of cared, but I didn't know for sure. Rick had actually moved in a few weeks before I finally saw him. I don't really pay attention to the neighbors. From him, I found out what happened to them, even connected a little.
The three have them had managed to keep in touch for the last six years, but they didn't know where to find me.
"Pete became a chem teacher at the new consolidated school that replaced our old high school. He's also the vice-principal. He's finishing up his PhD. He got married and divorced the year after he graduated. However, he went to Vegas this March and married an English teacher at the school. I never thought he would go into teaching, or impulsively marrying someone.
"Will is now a psychiatrist at the university hospital where he graduated. He's working with his brother who is an ear, nose, and throat guy. Will is married with a little boy, while Jim has twin toddler boys and a little girl. I didn't think he would like Virginia so much to stay there.
"Rick is now a junior associate at his father-in-law's firm. He married his college sweetheart, who also works there, when she's not on maternity leave. They have a little girl, and a boy on the way. Rick was always into journalism, I never got how he went into law. I mean, he father is a sheriff's deputy, but he never seemed interested insect things.
"Then there's me. Had to take an extra semester just to graduate. Messed up applying to grad school so bad, that I never got in. My last girlfriend broke up with me last December, and I haven't dated since. Oh, and I almost got fired from my job yesterday, the one I can barely stand. I wanted to write, and here I am doing nothing with my life. Not knowing what to do with it and ..."
"I don't mean to interrupt your interesting story and all," Sam silently interrupted, "but when are we getting to the airport? We just passed a sign saying we are headed towards Ashland and Huntington, WV. I might not be familiar with here, but I don't think we are going the right way."
"Ah, I guess I forgot to tell you. We aren't flying to New York. We're driving."
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Dada: Chapter 7a
Fortunately, I don't have much to do. He seems. to be better off than I was at his age.
"Are you done packing? We'll need to leave as soon as we can. " I'm bringing in the last of the clean laundry as I'm saying this. It was a light load, all things considered, and didn't take too long.
"Almost. I was just waiting for that," Sam still mostly whispering, probably fearing how his voice would sound when it cracks again.
"You didn't have to have your PJ's washed. They would have lasted a few more days. At least thetas what I do."
I had lent him one of my totes. It would easily hold the few clothes he had, as well as the toiletries he had. The shoes would probably be better in a separate bag, but we cold manage it. I had packed most of my things the night before. Everything would be ready for when we left. Except the garage cans. I might not be able to bring them in, but there might not be a way to prevent it.
After Sam had finished his packing and I had put away the last of the linens, we silently went out to the car with the suitcases. My computer would be last to go.
"Hey Chris! What are doing up so early?" a voice rang out from behind me as I packed the car.
"Oh, hey Rick. I didn't know you go out so early." He was dressed in sweats, obviously going for an early jog.
"Well, I've got to find time somewhere. I've got early meetings starting at 7:30 and lasting through lunch. And with Sandy's pregnancy and Dana running about, I find time when I can." This is when Rick noticed that I wasn't alone. "Who's the kid?"
"Rick, meet Sam, my half-brother. Sam, this is Rick. He lives a few houses down. I need to talk to him for a bit, so go back into the house and make sure everything is turned off, except for the main lights. Okay?"
Sam mumbled an approval, as silently sulked back inside.
"What's going on? I didn't know you had a brother. Dad's side?' Rick asks.
"Yeah. I just found out about him yesterday. Apparently, his parents died and I and being appointed his guardian. We are setting out for New York to finish up the paperwork."
"Wait, the state just left him with you? That's not standard procedure, at least I don't think it is. Are you also the executor of the will, or a beneficiary?" Rick keeps asking.
"I don't know. You're the lawyer, not me. I can feel that something else is going on, but I don't want to press Sam too much. He's been through so much already. Could you look into this for me, or help me find an attorney in New York? I'm going to need some help finding everything out."
"Sure. My specialty is criminal law, but I'll see what I can do. It might not be until the weekend before I find out anything. Busy day, and all. What aren't you telling me?" Rick finally gets to the point.
"I don't know if I am up to taking care of Sam. I'm just so new to this. Sure, I can take care of myself, but I'm getting strong doubts about this. Oh, can you also look after the house while I'm gone? I don't know how long it will take in New York. And take in the cans, too. I don't want to get in trouble for leaving them out too long."
"I'll look after the house, but you can take in your own trash. The trucks are already here."
I turn around and see the first of the collection vehicles turning onto the street. It might make us a few minutes late, but it's worth it so I can take them in.
"Thanks, Rick. I'll look forward from hearing from you."
"Welcome. Say bye to Sam, and good luck." Sam waves as he turns and jogs back up the street.
I wait a few minutes until the sanitation crew pick everything up and take the cans back inside. With the trash taken care of, the laundry done, and all perishables cleared, it was time to leave. Just one last trip to the bathroom, and we'd be off.
"All lights off. Nothing unnecessary plugged in. Doors locked. Car packed. I think we're ready to go." I needlessly say as we get into the car.
Sam had been quiet since Rick's visit, but out of nowhere, he finally pipes up.
"Who was that?"
"Oh, Rick. Richard Morris. He's a lawyer in moved onto the street last year. Married, with a daughter, and another on the way. He has been a friend of mine since high school, although we have grown apart since then, at least a little."
"What!?" Sam exclaimed.
"Are you done packing? We'll need to leave as soon as we can. " I'm bringing in the last of the clean laundry as I'm saying this. It was a light load, all things considered, and didn't take too long.
"Almost. I was just waiting for that," Sam still mostly whispering, probably fearing how his voice would sound when it cracks again.
"You didn't have to have your PJ's washed. They would have lasted a few more days. At least thetas what I do."
I had lent him one of my totes. It would easily hold the few clothes he had, as well as the toiletries he had. The shoes would probably be better in a separate bag, but we cold manage it. I had packed most of my things the night before. Everything would be ready for when we left. Except the garage cans. I might not be able to bring them in, but there might not be a way to prevent it.
After Sam had finished his packing and I had put away the last of the linens, we silently went out to the car with the suitcases. My computer would be last to go.
"Hey Chris! What are doing up so early?" a voice rang out from behind me as I packed the car.
"Oh, hey Rick. I didn't know you go out so early." He was dressed in sweats, obviously going for an early jog.
"Well, I've got to find time somewhere. I've got early meetings starting at 7:30 and lasting through lunch. And with Sandy's pregnancy and Dana running about, I find time when I can." This is when Rick noticed that I wasn't alone. "Who's the kid?"
"Rick, meet Sam, my half-brother. Sam, this is Rick. He lives a few houses down. I need to talk to him for a bit, so go back into the house and make sure everything is turned off, except for the main lights. Okay?"
Sam mumbled an approval, as silently sulked back inside.
"What's going on? I didn't know you had a brother. Dad's side?' Rick asks.
"Yeah. I just found out about him yesterday. Apparently, his parents died and I and being appointed his guardian. We are setting out for New York to finish up the paperwork."
"Wait, the state just left him with you? That's not standard procedure, at least I don't think it is. Are you also the executor of the will, or a beneficiary?" Rick keeps asking.
"I don't know. You're the lawyer, not me. I can feel that something else is going on, but I don't want to press Sam too much. He's been through so much already. Could you look into this for me, or help me find an attorney in New York? I'm going to need some help finding everything out."
"Sure. My specialty is criminal law, but I'll see what I can do. It might not be until the weekend before I find out anything. Busy day, and all. What aren't you telling me?" Rick finally gets to the point.
"I don't know if I am up to taking care of Sam. I'm just so new to this. Sure, I can take care of myself, but I'm getting strong doubts about this. Oh, can you also look after the house while I'm gone? I don't know how long it will take in New York. And take in the cans, too. I don't want to get in trouble for leaving them out too long."
"I'll look after the house, but you can take in your own trash. The trucks are already here."
I turn around and see the first of the collection vehicles turning onto the street. It might make us a few minutes late, but it's worth it so I can take them in.
"Thanks, Rick. I'll look forward from hearing from you."
"Welcome. Say bye to Sam, and good luck." Sam waves as he turns and jogs back up the street.
I wait a few minutes until the sanitation crew pick everything up and take the cans back inside. With the trash taken care of, the laundry done, and all perishables cleared, it was time to leave. Just one last trip to the bathroom, and we'd be off.
"All lights off. Nothing unnecessary plugged in. Doors locked. Car packed. I think we're ready to go." I needlessly say as we get into the car.
Sam had been quiet since Rick's visit, but out of nowhere, he finally pipes up.
"Who was that?"
"Oh, Rick. Richard Morris. He's a lawyer in moved onto the street last year. Married, with a daughter, and another on the way. He has been a friend of mine since high school, although we have grown apart since then, at least a little."
"What!?" Sam exclaimed.
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Dada: Chapter Seven
"Wake up, sleepy head. We don't have much time, and we have a lot to do. Don't make me have to come in there."
I am banging on my own bedroom door, trying to walk up Sam. I almost sound like me own mother. She would give me much the same when I was his age. Why did I have to bering that up? After yesterday, I should be trying to avoid her, not try to be like her.
"What's wrong?" Sam stammers groggily as he slowly opens the door. "Oh, we have to get ready to go. Have you already cleaned up?"
"Yep. I've been up half-an-hour already. I used the upstairs bathroom. Now, you clean up a bit, change your clothes, and get ready for breakfast. It shouldn't take you too long, considering you showered last night."
"Uh, I usually, uh, you know, use the bathroom in the mornings. It might take me some time," Sam all but whispers, his voice going deeper than usual, again.
"Fine. Just hurry up and try not to clog anything. I'll be making the bed. Just make sure you keep the doors closed."
I'm just glad I didn't have to go in there. Who knows what embarrassing position I could have caught him in. Sam walks into the bedroom side door to the master bath. As soon as I hear the door lock, I rush in to change the sheets on the bed. I already have a new set ready to go on. I will have just enough time for one last wash before we leave. I definitely don't want to have to do all this by the time I, or we, get back. I'd probably forget all about it.
"Don't get your PJs dirty. Just fold them up, and we'll put them in your other things. No sense to wash them after just one night." I yell through the door. I hope he hears me. One less thing to wash. "Just put anything else dirty outside the hall door, and I'll wash it."
I gather up the dirty sheets and find both his PJs and his underwear outside the door. He is not making it easy on me. He is also probably buck naked in there. No time to think about it. I will have just enough time to wash everything.
It takes me less than ten minutes to start the wash. As I walk back into the kitchen, there's Sam only in his jeans, struggling to get a polo over his head.
"Please tell me there aren't any problems in the bathroom. We don't have time to unclog anything."
"No. Everything seems to be okay," Sam says as his head finally pops out through his shirt. He hair is slightly damp. So is his face. I hope he washed up enough.
"Have you done everything? Deodorant, teeth, clean underwear. I don't want you to embarrass yourself once we leave. "
"All done," Sam quietly piped in.
"Fine. I'll start breakfast. It'll be light. I still have some milk and fruit that will go bad if we don't use it today. Sorry, but we only have cereal. If you need more, we'll have to pick something up later."
"That'll be okay." he responds, sullenly.
We barely say a word while we eat. Sam because his voice is changing, and me because I don't feel like talking. I am not morning person. Getting up before five is almost worse on me than it is Sam. I never feel like myself until seven, at least. Maybe if I drank coffee, I would be more of a morning person. Never drank it, never could. My mom made sure that I would ever like the stuff.
After we finish, I send Sam back in to finish his packing while I clean up the few dishes from breakfast. I have the television on to catch some news before we go. Nothing major seemed to have happened overnight. The roads are fairly clear. There's a change of thunderstorms starting by mid-afternoon, but we should be long gone by the time they get here.
The last thing I have to do is take out the trash. Fortunately for me, the garbage pick-up for this street is on Friday mornings. Unfortunately, it is picked up about six, or so. I'm usually still asleep, so I can't be sure. One thing I don't want is having a can full of garbage stinking up the place for a week. I usually place out the cans the night before, but I put it off until now so I could be sure I got everything. I still don't see the pint of mandatory recycling. Forcing people to do something, even for a good cause, is just a problem, not a benefit. I would much more like to do it on my own, rather than have the city force me to sort it out and fining me if I don't do it correctly.
I get my cans out easily enough. I just hope I can find a way to get them back in. That was the last thing I had to do. I packed my suitcase last night. I fixed up the desktop this morning. The laundry is out of the washer and in the dryer. All I have left to do is help Sam pack. And maybe clean up the bathroom a bit. If he is anything like I was at his age, I might have a lot to to. I can't help but dread it.
I am banging on my own bedroom door, trying to walk up Sam. I almost sound like me own mother. She would give me much the same when I was his age. Why did I have to bering that up? After yesterday, I should be trying to avoid her, not try to be like her.
"What's wrong?" Sam stammers groggily as he slowly opens the door. "Oh, we have to get ready to go. Have you already cleaned up?"
"Yep. I've been up half-an-hour already. I used the upstairs bathroom. Now, you clean up a bit, change your clothes, and get ready for breakfast. It shouldn't take you too long, considering you showered last night."
"Uh, I usually, uh, you know, use the bathroom in the mornings. It might take me some time," Sam all but whispers, his voice going deeper than usual, again.
"Fine. Just hurry up and try not to clog anything. I'll be making the bed. Just make sure you keep the doors closed."
I'm just glad I didn't have to go in there. Who knows what embarrassing position I could have caught him in. Sam walks into the bedroom side door to the master bath. As soon as I hear the door lock, I rush in to change the sheets on the bed. I already have a new set ready to go on. I will have just enough time for one last wash before we leave. I definitely don't want to have to do all this by the time I, or we, get back. I'd probably forget all about it.
"Don't get your PJs dirty. Just fold them up, and we'll put them in your other things. No sense to wash them after just one night." I yell through the door. I hope he hears me. One less thing to wash. "Just put anything else dirty outside the hall door, and I'll wash it."
I gather up the dirty sheets and find both his PJs and his underwear outside the door. He is not making it easy on me. He is also probably buck naked in there. No time to think about it. I will have just enough time to wash everything.
It takes me less than ten minutes to start the wash. As I walk back into the kitchen, there's Sam only in his jeans, struggling to get a polo over his head.
"Please tell me there aren't any problems in the bathroom. We don't have time to unclog anything."
"No. Everything seems to be okay," Sam says as his head finally pops out through his shirt. He hair is slightly damp. So is his face. I hope he washed up enough.
"Have you done everything? Deodorant, teeth, clean underwear. I don't want you to embarrass yourself once we leave. "
"All done," Sam quietly piped in.
"Fine. I'll start breakfast. It'll be light. I still have some milk and fruit that will go bad if we don't use it today. Sorry, but we only have cereal. If you need more, we'll have to pick something up later."
"That'll be okay." he responds, sullenly.
We barely say a word while we eat. Sam because his voice is changing, and me because I don't feel like talking. I am not morning person. Getting up before five is almost worse on me than it is Sam. I never feel like myself until seven, at least. Maybe if I drank coffee, I would be more of a morning person. Never drank it, never could. My mom made sure that I would ever like the stuff.
After we finish, I send Sam back in to finish his packing while I clean up the few dishes from breakfast. I have the television on to catch some news before we go. Nothing major seemed to have happened overnight. The roads are fairly clear. There's a change of thunderstorms starting by mid-afternoon, but we should be long gone by the time they get here.
The last thing I have to do is take out the trash. Fortunately for me, the garbage pick-up for this street is on Friday mornings. Unfortunately, it is picked up about six, or so. I'm usually still asleep, so I can't be sure. One thing I don't want is having a can full of garbage stinking up the place for a week. I usually place out the cans the night before, but I put it off until now so I could be sure I got everything. I still don't see the pint of mandatory recycling. Forcing people to do something, even for a good cause, is just a problem, not a benefit. I would much more like to do it on my own, rather than have the city force me to sort it out and fining me if I don't do it correctly.
I get my cans out easily enough. I just hope I can find a way to get them back in. That was the last thing I had to do. I packed my suitcase last night. I fixed up the desktop this morning. The laundry is out of the washer and in the dryer. All I have left to do is help Sam pack. And maybe clean up the bathroom a bit. If he is anything like I was at his age, I might have a lot to to. I can't help but dread it.
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