Twenty-Two

Garrett

Steve got up early Thanksgiving and drove to his house to shower and change. He said he had a few more snacks there he wanted to bring today, so I showered and watched the local news about the big charity run that was a yearly tradition. I was ready to go by the time he knocked on the door, and Teddy immediately ran for it and waited while I opened it.

“Hey, you made good time,” I said and kissed his cheek.

“There’s no traffic. I wish it was this way all the time,” he said.

“What time did you want to go?” We hadn’t eaten yet and I wasn’t sure if we should or if we should wait until we got there.

“Why don’t we go now, then we can stop for a coffee and something to eat before we get there.”

“That sounds perfect, you know I’m always up for coffee and a snack,” I said. He was nervous and I hoped it wasn’t because I was going. His family sounded nice, but I remembered his story about that one Christmas that had ruined it all for him. It was so easy as a kid to blow something out of proportion, but it was also easy to be hurt so bad you never forgot it. I didn’t want Steve to be hurt anymore or to put time into hating anything, so I hoped he would find some peace with it eventually.

“Did you want to take Teddy?” he asked.

“He’s fine. I’ll pick him up later when I go to my parents’.”

“Okay, let’s make sure we have everything.” We used a box that I had in my recycle bin to pack everything to make it easier. “We really sort of made a lot,” I said not sure if that was really okay or not.

“Don’t worry, it’ll get eaten,” Steve said and picked it up. “Ready?”

“Yes, I can’t wait to have that coffee,” I said. The busy week had hit me and now that I knew I wasn’t going to work for a couple of days, my mind and body were ready for a break. After saying goodbye to Teddy and making sure he had food and water, we were ready to leave.

“Me too,” he said. We walked over to his car and loaded everything in. He was strung tight, but I wasn’t sure what I could do to help that, and I hoped the coffee didn’t make it worse.

“Is there anything else we need to get on the way?” I asked.

“I’m not sure, I can send a text though.” He tapped out a message on his phone and got a nearly instant reply. He showed me the message from his sister. “She says to get our butts over there.” Steve grinned when he read it out loud.

“Sounds like we need to get going,” I said finally getting him to laugh and hopefully relieving a little bit of stress.

He started the car and immediately reached across the seat for my hand. We drove to the closest coffee place and both of us ordered the biggest drink they had both with an extra shot of espresso. He ordered a toasted bagel while I got the egg bites. We ate as he drove and had just finished when he pulled into a driveway less than twenty minutes from my house.

It was a ranch-style home, like most of the houses in Sacramento County, and since it was older it had a big yard with a few large trees and a stone-lined walkway that led to the door. Steve pulled in and when he turned off the car, he twisted to look at me and took a deep breath. “I hope you’re ready for this,” he said, and I tried not to gulp down my nerves.

I rubbed my hands together and smiled. “I hope they’re ready, because there is going to be an ass whooping at your parents’ house today, and it’s not going to be my ass being whooped.” Steve’s eyes widened before he laughed so hard his eyes watered.

When he finally got himself under control, he wiped his eyes and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, I needed that.” The two of us got out of his car and he carried everything we’d brought. As soon as we were at the door it was flung open. An older woman stood there holding it, and I knew instantly this was Steve’s mom.

“Stevie, it’s about time you got here. Your dad and Dale are trying to decide what to play first. Hi, you must be Garrett, I’m Cindy Reynolds, Steve’s mom.” She held her hand out but ended up pulling me in for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, ma’am,” I said still trying to catch up to her energy.

“Come in, Steve, put that in the kitchen, we’ll eat in a little bit. Let’s play a few rounds first,” she said and rushed us both in.

Steve looked at me and shrugged. I followed him into the kitchen and made a show of unpacking the box that he could have done himself in about two seconds. “Dad, this is Garrett,” Steve said when we walked over to the table a man was seated at. There were several games stacked on the floor and a few boxes of cards. He stood and put his hand out for me.

“Pleased to meet you, Garrett, I’m Stan. Steve here says you drive for UPS,” he said, wasting no time on pleasantries.

“I do. I’ve been driving for them a few years now,” I said and took a seat at the table with him.

“It’s got to be madness out there now. Especially by the Galleria,” he said and folded his arms on the table.

“Oh, did Steve tell you that’s my route? Yeah, it’s mostly the traffic. I don’t mind having a busy route, but I really could do without all the people who only drive once a year all being out on the same day.” He laughed at that, and I could see Steve in the way his eyes crinkled.

“I bet. I try to avoid that area entirely after October. It’s just too busy.”

“He’s not kidding, if there’s something he needs over there he makes me go.” A younger woman walked into the room from the back of the house, and I thought this must be Steve’s sister. “I’m Dale, nice to finally meet you.”

“Great to meet you too,” I said just as Steve took a seat next to me.

“Who’s turn is it to pick the first game?” Cindy asked and looked between Dale and Stan.

“Let’s let Garrett choose,” Dale said. Stan grinned and waved his hand in my direction telling me to go ahead.

“I choose Boggle,” I said, followed by a collective groan from everyone except Stan. He rubbed his hands together and sat up straight in his chair.

“Bring it, newbie,” he said. Steve groaned but I laughed hard, and got ready to whoop some ass.