Icing by Ashley Stanton Read Free Book Online Page B

it?  Remember this feeling – it’s all part of it. “
    That was it.  Kyle finished the workout and limped back to 2012.  What the hell happened to the red head?  It was a mystery that’s ending would never be told much less remembered.  He caught a shower and waited for his Dad under the security of his brown and yellow sheets.
    Kyle welcomed his father. He carried a bag of laundry out to the waiting blue sedan.  He was quiet and his Dad let him be this way.  Mr. Caldwell joyfully drove west and tapped away on the steering wheel with his college ring.  Kyle would never forget the joyful knocking as his father listed to bad radio music.  His head felt every sound.  His Dad knew.  He too had experienced what his son was going through.  It was a rite of passage and the lesson was learned.
    ****
    Thanksgiving in Concord was planned to follow the same customs as it had in years before.  Mrs. Wright was in charge, grandparents, Josh, Taryn and Dad in attendance.  Brett was always welcome.  He was not the official boyfriend anymore but he was considered a part of the family, if only by habit.  He passed on dinner this year.  He and Taryn held each other in high esteem and would always share sweet youthful memories.
    The table was perfectly set. A tradition performed the evening before.  They would have a rare pizza night out.  Preparations were underway in the kitchen and dinner on Wednesday could not accommodate them.  It was a lighthearted reunion out for the Wright family.  They had a round of sodas and a couple of large pies, one veggie and one meat.  None were vegetarians but they ordered both for variety.  The meat always disappeared first and the veggie next.
    “T, I see you took my advice. No pregnant belly. Good girl.”
    “Josh – haven’t changed a bit.  You are a healthy teeny bopper with a one track mind.  Keep an eye on this one Dad.”
    “Tell us a story T.  What kind of outrageous stuff did you do? Is your roommate cool? We want details and no lying.  Did you have sex or anything?”
    “Stop Josh.  Like I would share details you – my little brother. No really Dad I have been too busy for shit like that.  I have tons of questions.  Maybe we can go for a run tomorrow before dinner and I could bounce some ideas off of you. I’m really focused on music and I have a lot of stuff to figure out.  O.K?”
    “Sure, Taryn.”
    Before he spoke further Mrs. Wright reminded everyone that dinner was at four sharp.  Television off and phones too.  Everyone was to be showered and wearing appropriate attire.  The Wrights were not among the majority with a dress code at a family dinner. 
    Dinner on Thursday went off without a hitch.  The side dishes were superb.  Taryn liked the stuffing best with extra gravy.  It was great leftover too – she liked it cold. Three different kinds of pie were served; pecan, pumpkin and deep dish apple.  It was nice and comforting despite all of Mrs. Wright’s rules.
    The next morning Taryn and her Dad had time to catch up.  They slept in too late on Thursday morning to go for their scheduled run and subbed in a walk at Walden Pond instead.  Air crisp and warranting a warm jacket they strolled arm and arm down the trail.
    “So Dad, mmmmm, this feels awesome.  I missed you most of all. My RA. Tim listens to me babble and has good feedback but there’s no one like you.”
    “Glad you have Tim.  Is there anything…..well you know?
    “Absolutely not.  No.  He loves women and he’s cute in a way but it’s platonic.  I never had a good male friend.  It’s a good fit.  He looks out for me and the other women on the first floor.”
    “Good. Any ideas about a major?”
    “I think about it a lot Dad.  The classes right now are basic requirements.  I’m doing well – probably going to get about a 3.5.  Don’t really care for human anatomy but it satisfies an E core so I’m glad to get it over with.  I’m taking entry level