Declaration of Crows by R.A. Lingenfelter

Author:R.A. Lingenfelter [Lingenfelter, R.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stories2Life
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

“Mom, let me do this. You still aren’t one-hundred percent.”

“Nonsense. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and you are home. I’m going to make it as wonderful as I always have.”

I stared at the woman before me. She still had dark circles under her eyes and the blue wasn’t quite as sparkly, but her smile was genuine and her determination was strong. I admired her love for her favorite holiday.

I began washing and peeling potatoes, my own tenacity to help her prepare the spread she always provided.

“How are my two favorite ladies today?”

I turned to stare at my father. He was rarely warm and fuzzy with me, reserving that for Mom, but for the past couple of days since the ‘incident’, he was kinder to me. I still wasn’t used to it.

“We are fine. Dinner will be at one so make sure the chores are done. Is Ken still coming to help you?”

He kissed Mom on the cheek. “Yes, he’s coming to help.”

“And did you invite him to supper?”

He chuckled. “Yes, just like I do every year.”

She shook her head and glanced out of the window again. “Such a shame his parents couldn’t treat him any better. I never understood how drugs could be more important than your own flesh and bone,” she glanced over at me. “It’s a testament in itself that he never got caught up in that poison. He’s a good man.”

I rolled my eyes at her, tired of her trying to convince me that I was making the right decision. I hadn’t told her yet that I was still planning on going back to college; back to Boston.

Dad grabbed a muffin from the table and poured a cup of coffee. “Leave her be, Regina.”

Keeping my mouth shut, I stared at my father again, who winked at me when he saw my gaze. Who was this man?

“I’m off to check on Butterbelle. She seems to be doing better today.”

Turning towards him, I wiped my hands on the kitchen towel thrown over my shoulder. “Can you check on Ginger for me? She was a little stiff yesterday when we were out doing chores.”

“Yep. Actually, I’m thinking of turning Butterbelle out with her. They can retire peacefully together.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Phillip, I need to talk with you before you go.”

I watched my parents step out onto the back porch, my mother talking more animatedly than I had seen since that day. My father ran his hand over his face, a gesture well known for when he received bad news and wasn’t sure how to process it yet. What could Mom possibly have told him for him to react that way? It was a holiday, for goodness sakes.

He stepped off the porch and Mom turned and came back into the kitchen. Her cheeks were flushed, but she had a smile on her face.

“There, now let’s get back to cooking so everything is done on time.”

“What were you talking to Dad about? He seems pretty upset.”

“Oh, nothing to worry about today, sweetheart. Let’s focus on the things we are thankful for.

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