Mildred perched in the passenger seat of the truck while we waited in the parking lot for the end of Lenni’s first day of school in Huckleberry Hill.It wasn’t ideal that she was starting a new school near the end of the first semester, but hopefully with the long Thanksgiving weekend coming up and then winter break in a few weeks, it would ease her transition.
“So, how’re the new digs?”Dad asked, his voice clear and robust through the truck’s Bluetooth speaker.
“Pretty good,” I said with a laugh.
“You never did tell us why you quit your job,” Mom said.
“My boss was a jerk,” I said.“And this new family is wonderful.”
“Who is it?”Dad asked.“Your texts were vague.”
“Poet’s fiancé’s brother,” I explained.“He has an eleven-year-old daughter he didn’t know about until a few days ago.I’m waiting to pick her up from school, actually.”
“No kidding,” Dad murmured.
“Seems like good fortune that you were in town already,” Mom said.“I’m so glad Hadley and the baby are okay.”
“Me too,” I said.“That was a scare and a half.”
“And how’s everyone else?”Dad asked.
“Good.Busy.I’ve only been here a few days, but I’ve hardly seen my friends.I kinda hoped ...”
“That it would be just like when the four of you were sharing the apartment in Manhattan?”Mom finished for me.
“Exactly.But Idaho style.”I sighed.“It was naive, I guess.They really do have their own lives.Building houses, growing babies, opening bookstores.”
Mom squealed.“You promise to take a video and send it to us?That’s so exciting for Poet.”
“Yeah, it is.And yes, I’ll send you some pics and videos when she finally opens the store.What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?”
“The usual.”
“Ah, the band of travelers stopping off at your place?”
“You know it,” Dad said.“We’re making two turkeys this year.We’ve got a big crowd showing up.”
I smiled even though they couldn’t see me.My parents were collectors of people.They made friends wherever they went.Through the years, they road tripped and saw crevices of the United States most people had never even heard of.
“What are you doing for the holiday?”Mom asked.
“Not sure yet,” I admitted.“No one’s mentioned anything about it, but I imagine Muddy’s going to make a big to-do of it at The Ridge.”
“Remember that first year in the city, you and the girls attempted to make dinner, and the turkey was still raw?”Dad asked with a laugh.“It was a good thing we drove down with our bird.”
“That was fun.I miss you guys.”
“We miss you too,” Mom said.“But we’re so proud of you, Wyn.”
My throat thickened.“Proud of me?What for?”
“You left home,” Dad said.“You moved to Manhattan.You figured things out.”
“I’m still figuring things out,” I murmured.
The final school bell rang.
“Listen, school just let out.Lenni will be here any second.”
