HIM
before hanging up.I look up from my phone to see Ernie and Jason on the deck. They are standing with their shirts tucked under their chins and pinching their nipples while they're sticking out their tongues. Those two dorks have been doing shit like this since I was little, which most definitely lightened the mood. I laugh as I hop out of Jason's truck, shaking my head.
Chapter Seven
I feel very much at home inside Ernie and Gladys' house. I used to come here every Sunday for breakfast and a few of Jason's parties when they'd be out of town. Gladys is Ernie's wife, and she is quite the woman. She doesn't take any shit from anyone, and she's hilarious as hell.
This family is my second family. My dad, Ernie, and Gladys spent almost every day together since I was born. Gladys greets me at the door and gives me a huge hug. She tells me to fix myself a plate before I waste away. On the counter in the kitchen is a buffet-style breakfast, just like how I remember. Eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, hash browns, potatoes, and fruit are displayed in foil pans. There is also a pitcher of orange juice at the end of the counter, surrounded by glasses. I scoop up a little bit of everything and pile it on my plate. I head for the table and take a seat.
"Here, Ali," Gladys says as she hands me a large glass of milk. "You still like milk, right?" she asks with a smile.
"Yes, thank you!"
Aww, she remembered that I don't care for orange juice and was once obsessed with milk. My dad would have to buy me a separate gallon because I drank so much of the stuff. I still do drink it a lot but not in such an obsessive way anymore.
I feel I need to discuss the lawyer meeting that my aunt called me about with everyone at the table. I am not sure if this will be bad timing because we have just sat down for breakfast. I do not want to ruin the meal, but I must mention it since it is fresh on my mind.
"My aunt called and said we are meeting with the lawyers tomorrow at one. We need to go over my dad's Will," I spurt out.
Everyone goes quiet and stares straight in my direction. You could hear a pin drop if it weren't for the faint sound of music coming from the kitchen. Gladys looks at me with the most loving eyes. I always loved it whenever she did that. Ernie breaks away from his stare to focus back on his plate before bringing a spoon full of eggs to his mouth.
"We will be there with you tomorrow, Ali," Gladys says as she squeezes my hand.
I give her a light smile, then bring my attention back to my plate.
"Guess who brought Ali home last night?" Jason belts out like a colossal dick.
I kick him from under the table. Now, this is what I call bad timing. Jason is being a prick. Whatever his issues with Luke are, this is not the time for it.
"Luke brought her home. He even drove the mustang."
Ernie looks up at me from his breakfast with the most God awful look on his face. I melt in his expression; I feel like my dad is scolding me. Is he disappointed in me for drinking last night? Having Luke bring me home or that I let him drive my car?
Jason goes off on a tangent about how much he despises Luke. Ernie, without saying a word, stands up from the table. He walks into the kitchen, slamming his plate on the counter, then walks out the door. I give Jason a slight glare to indicate, "why the hell did you say that" then look over to Gladys. Gladys is staring at Jason. He gets up, slamming his chair against the table before stomping out the door. Like father, like son. I can hear Jason as he peels out of the driveway.
What in the sam hell just happened?
"I will give you a ride back to your dad's, Ali. Please finish your breakfast before it gets cold," she says as she starts to clear the table.
I promptly finish my breakfast and help Gladys clean up in the kitchen. I know my way around this kitchen just as well as I do around my dad's. I walk around the house looking at all the pictures. I see a few of Jason and me when we were younger. There are also pictures of my dad and Ernie. I need to consider that I am not the only one who lost my dad that day.
ON THE WAY BACK TO my dad's, Gladys tells me how Luke came along. She said he was passing through one day and had engine trouble with his bike. My dad and Ernie helped him work on it, and in return, Luke helped at the shop to repay them for the parts they bought for his bike. She went on to say that Luke is very reserved, and he does not say much, but he took a liking to my dad almost instantly. He came from California to get away from a life he wasn't proud of.
What kind of life was that? Jason did say he wasn't a good guy.
Gladys continues to say that she would've never known any of this if Luke hadn't confided in my dad. She went on to say that my dad let him stay at his house until his bike was fixed, but he ended up staying longer. That was almost two years ago now.
My dad never told me about Luke, not even once, since we spoke pretty much every day on the phone. He never even mentioned it when I'd come home occasionally, either. Is Luke that bad that my dad had to hide him from me? All of this isn't very clear, and I hope I will learn the