Pop: Chapter Fourteen

    The drive back is relatively fast.  With school being out for the summer, there isn't too much mid-afternoon traffic to deal with.  I only get stopped just before my block due to a delivery van blocking the street.  Someone is getting a new living room suite.  Normally, I would've been able to pass, but there's a car parked on the other side of the van preventing that.  I least I get to look at a cat lounging in the window of the house next door.  Suddenly, a gray kitten crawls up to the other side of the frame.  It looks nothing like the tabby that it has joined.  The tabby barely pays it any attention, as it just gives the kitten a look and then goes back to resting.

    I sit there for about six minutes before the van finally leaves.  If I had been any earlier, I would have been forced to detour.  A few cars did exactly that while I waited.  I probably should have too.  I guess I just don't want to read my Dad's article.

    I don't see any smoke or fire engines as I drive down my street, so I guess Sam hasn't burned the house down.  Maybe he's gotten over his fit.  Or he remembers that eighteen year olds can be sent to jail.  I pull up to the garage and park, remembering to plug the Camaro in to charge.  I can't wait until I can start fueling this baby up again. I walk to the back door and unlock it.  At least Sam is staying safe.  I don't see any empty bottles, so I guess Jim remembered to take them with him.  I hide my protein bars in one of the cabinets in the laundry room.   One of the lower ones, although Sam might try to look there, but I doubt it.  He barely knows anything about how to work a washing machine.  I think.  I know I tried to teach him, but the one at the manor was a little tricky for both of us.

    Sam is in the living room, almost napping with the television on.  At least his pants are still on.  I've caught him a few times with them down.  He's caught me once or twice, too, but I've been much better at it.  He still forgets to lock the door sometimes.

    "Hey, Sam.  I'm back."

    Sam slowly raises his head and turns to look at me.  His eyes are slightly puffy, probably from the disruption in his sleep.

    "So," Sam registers.

    "We'll be leaving for the dinner a little after five.  I called Dad.  He's taking a detour to Richmond to go to a hotel the college provided for him.  He'll meet us there.  You might want to have a snack before you get ready.  Dinner might be delayed if Dad gets held up, but I don't think there will be any major problems."

    Sam just nods his head and gets up to leave, heading towards the stairs and not the kitchen.  Maybe he had already eaten something just before I got back.  He makes a show of having to bend his head under the door, even though he just barely needs to.  I can't remember, did he have do that last Christmas?  I mean, he might have been tall enough then, but if he's in middle of another growth spurt...

    I head to my bedroom and set up the computer, putting my phone back to charge it as much as a can before leaving.  Addie sent me a message that she and her family flew in without any trouble.  Apparently, they missed the storms entirely, but not by much. I wish I could have helping picking them up, but Addie understood about the signing.  They are staying at a hotel near the center, so commuting won't be an issue, no matter what the weather brings.

    I respond with a simple 'Love you.  See you soon.' and move on to the link to Dad's article.