Senior Year Box Set

It also sounded like I should start packing up my stuff for the move if Melanie was moving into my space. I would have to figure out what I wanted to take with me while I shot my films and what would go to the new house. Undoubtedly, some of my stuff would have to go into storage.

I had furniture at both grandmothers’ houses, including the walnut bedroom set, as well as the stuff in my apartment. On top of all that, I also had all my awards and trophies, most of which I’d not had the chance to even unpack, let alone display. The big one was my Academy Award.

It was depressing to realize that when school ended, I really would be leaving home and not coming back. I hoped that someday I would, though. I occasionally dreamed about living on the bluff overlooking the river on my farm. That would be a great place to raise my children.

◊◊◊

When we got home, I ran into the house and found my mom and dad in the living room, watching the rug-rats.

“Daddy’s home!” I announced.

All the little ones looked up and cried out in happiness. I got down on the floor so I was at their level and was swarmed. Scarlet and Ashley followed me into the room shortly after that and were promptly ignored. Before they felt slighted, my mom headed them off.

“They need their Daddy time. Let him wear them out for you. When you get back to your place with them, they’ll forget all about him,” she predicted and took the two moms into the kitchen.

It was overwhelming to listen to five little ones try to tell me about their week. I was shown booboos, which had to be kissed, and was told incomprehensible stories—one-year-olds don’t have the best vocabulary. Of course, I provided love and attention to all five.

At one point, I looked around, only to find my dad and even my trusty hound had abandoned me. Watching five one-year-olds was similar to keeping track of all of Precious’s kittens, but I was up to the task. The one advantage I had with the little ones over herding kittens was that my charges wanted their dad’s attention.

◊◊◊

Chapter 16 – Take Her … Please Monday April 3

When I came back from my morning run, I found my parents and Cassidy in the kitchen. Cassidy was getting a cooking lesson from my dad.

“You add olive oil to your butter for flavor. There’s a myth that adding the olive oil will raise the smoke point of butter. The truth is, they burn at similar temperatures,” Dad shared.

“Cassidy got some good news last week,” I said to interrupt.

“What’s that?” Dad asked her.

Cassidy gave me a look that promised a lot, none of it good. I might want to wait until Manaia arrived before doing this. He might be able to at least slow her down if she decided my life would end today. I gave her a cocky look and smiled. Yes, I was asking for it.

“She got a scholarship offer from USC. A full ride,” I shared.

“Really? That’s great news,” Mom said and turned to me. “It’s too bad my son wasn’t smart enough to pick them.” Then she turned back to Cassidy. “Your dad must be beside himself with joy.”

Cassidy mumbled something.

“What was that?” Mom asked.

“She hasn’t told him,” I interjected. “She thinks it would be a good idea to have him pay her tuition and go to Oklahoma. Maybe someone should explain how expensive college is for parents when they have two children in school. At least Greg has in-state tuition.”

“Is that true?” Mom asked.

Cassidy’s eyebrow twitched. That was all I had to see to decide I wanted to walk to school. I bolted out the back door and almost ran over Manaia.

“I’m taking you to breakfast,” I said as I ran for the car.

Cassidy wasn’t fast enough to catch me.

“Cassidy Hope! You get back in here right now,” Mom said.

“I can’t believe you told your mom on me,” Cassidy yelled before trudging back into the house with my parents.

“What’s that all about?” Manaia asked as we pulled out of the drive.

“Cassidy was about to make a bad decision. My mom is straightening her out,” I said.

“You told on her?” Manaia asked.

That made me feel bad for a moment, but I knew if the shoe were on the other foot, Cassidy would have done the same. I sent Brook a text to tell her the USC matter had been handled. She sent a smiley-face emoji back.

◊◊◊

Before school, Dare spotted me and scampered off. He should have thought that through because we sat next to each other in math class. I wandered in to PE and found Wolf and Tim waiting for me.

“That video had me in stitches. I hope the pretzel was worth it,” I said.

Wolf took a swat at me but wasn’t serious.

“You two can eat shit and die. I bought that pretzel myself.”

Tim shook his head behind Wolf, which made me laugh.

“Get it out of your systems. I’ll give you through class, and then if I hear about it again, I’ll kick both your butts,” Wolf threatened.

“Because he was a guy, did he know how to do it better?” Tim asked.

Let’s agree that I enjoyed lifting that day.