Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
“Daddy, I might throw up.” We were on our way to meet Daddy’s family, face to face for the first time. My tummy was all balled up. “I don’t feel good at all.”
“What?” He pulled over, gravel flew as the truck skidded to a stop. “If that is how you really feel we’ll turn around and go home. I don’t want anything making you sick.” Daddy felt my head for a fever. “Do you want to go home?”
I was ruining Thanksgiving and it hadn’t even started.
Get it together, Sage. You’ve already talked to them, and you’ve been really excited about this.
“No, I’m being dumb. Sorry for scaring you, Daddy.”
“First off, don’t ever call yourself dumb again. But, sweetheart, why are you so nervous? You talk to Mom more than I do.”
Which was true. So, what exactly was my problem.
“Last chance, go home or keep driving?”
“Keep driving, please.”
“I have an idea.” Daddy turned off at the next street and pulled up in front of another gate that looked like the ones at home. He entered a code and they opened.
“Where are we, Daddy? Is this part of the Ranch I didn’t know about?”
“Kind of. This is Rawhide Ridge. Master Derek built this place as kind of an overflow, and where couples who didn’t want to live in the apartments could have bigger houses.
He’s also moved the horses that were a bit too rough for our visitors to the Double L Ranch just a few more miles from here.
Master Jagger used to be the stablemaster for Master Derek.
Master Jagger not only takes care of the wilder horses, he also breeds and raises horses. ”
“That’s so cool. I think it’s great those horses have a special place of their own.”
He parked in front of a row of stores.
“Let’s grab a snack and walk around.” Daddy came around and unbelted me before he helped me out. “My good boy deserves a break.”
The first place he took me into was named Dungeons and Dollies. It was a furniture store. “Daddy, is this all Littles’ fun-iture?”
Daddy laughed. “Fun-iture, I like that and yes it is, along with other kink lifestyle furnishing. I think we need a dresser for your playroom, what do you say?”
I thought about it and realized he was right. “Yeah, probably a good idea since I kind of took over yours.”
“Ours, and if you recall correctly, it’s Daddy who can’t stop buying you cute outfits.”
“Like this one,” I tugged at my top that said, Daddy’s Little Butterfly with pretty flutter-flies all over it.
“Welcome, folks, I’m Colton. What brings you in today?”
Daddy shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Colton. I’m Warner and this is my boy, Sage. We live over on the Ranch and we’re decorating his new playroom.”
“How exciting. It’s wonderful to meet you both. Tell me, Sage, what are your absolute favorite things?”
“Besides Daddy?” They chuckled. “Butterflies, Ninja Turtles, all kinds of animals.”
“Hmm, I think I have an idea. Take a look around and if you see anything just holler. We can customize it from there.”
Daddy and I walked around and found a couple we liked. While I was looking at the carvings, he talked to Colton. It was a lot of wood, but the details put into each piece were amazing.
“Alright, butterfly, next stop.”
“Little Dragon Treasures, I like it already, Daddy.”
“I’m Calla.” A bubbly girl skipped over to us. “Who are you?”
“I’m Sage and this is my Daddy.”
“Hi, Sage’s Daddy. Look at all the stuff I made.” Her giggles triggered mine. “What kind of stuff do you like?”
“Everything. You really made this stuff?”
“Well, not the clothes, but all the crochet stuff I did.”
“Daddy, can I get one of her cro-cro—” I had trouble with the word.
“Crochet?” Daddy helped.
“Yes, please.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea, little butterfly. Calla, why don’t you show Sage your creations while I shop around?”
“Okay, Sage’s Daddy.” Calla held my hand and tugged me toward the homemade stuffies. “I’ve got dragons, RAWR!” she growled. “And bears, and all kinds of silly stuff.”
“I love the dragon and I don’t have anything like it. Can you help me pick out one for my friends Devon and Dempsey?”
“Are they twins?” she asked.
“Nope. They don’t even live in the same state.”
“Mmm, ’kay, how about a lion for Devon and a”—she poked around the others—“there. How about a rainbow fishy for Dempsey?”
“That almost rhymes.” I liked her so much, I knew for sure that Daddy and I would come back here.
“You’re creations are wonderful, Calla,” Daddy told her. “I see you did some shopping too, Sage.”
“I did. One for me and one for both of my besties.”
“Such a sweet boy. Let’s head to our last stop before we get back on the road.”
Calla bagged it all up and gave me a hug. I knew I had a new friend in her and I couldn’t wait to visit again.
“Let’s grab a treat for the road.” He led me toward Angel’s Heavenly Bakery and Chocolate Shoppe.
“Yay! I love treats. Look Daddy, you can watch them bake from here.”
“You can, but if we go inside we can smell all the yummies baking.”
“There are so many fun places here. Can we come back with Dempsey and Daddy Burke sometime?”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea, little butterfly. Now, let’s pick a treat.”
We met the owners, Angel and Heaven Leigh, but they were super busy. We promised to come back again. Daddy got a coffee and a cinnamon roll, and I got a bottle of water and a cute tiny tart thingy with yummy fruit on top.
“Nummy, nummy, nummy.” I bit into it as soon as Daddy started the truck. “Thank you Daddy, this was just what my tummy wanted.”
“You are very welcome, my love.”
I’d brought Cora and Beary with us and now they had Draco, my dragon, as a new friend. We played and sang along with the radio until we got tired and fell asleep. When Daddy woke me up, we were parked again.
“Daddy?”
“Wakey, wakey, sleepy boy. We’re here, and if we don’t get out of the truck soon, the whole crew will descend upon us.” Right as Daddy said that, they all came out of the house. “There they are. You okay?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Remember, Daddy loves you and if you get overwhelmed at any time let me know and we’ll step away. Okay?”
“Okay.” I tucked my stuffies into my backpack and waited for Daddy to help me out. When I sat back up and peeked out the window, all of them were standing right there. Mom, Dad, Daddy’s brother, Jimbo, and Daddy’s sister, Amber, who looked just like Mom. “Um, hi?” I wasn’t sure what to say.
Daddy kissed the side of my head. “Deep breath, sweetheart. Daddy’s right here.”
“Eep!” Squished out of me when Mom gave me a huge hug. “N-nice to meet you.”
She cupped my cheeks. “You’re even more adorable in person, Sage.”
Daddy and I hugged everyone, then he grabbed our bags, and we followed them inside.
“Ooh, puppy!” I dropped to the floor, and the dog started licking my face. His happy tail wagged away. “Your tongue tickles, pup.”
“That’s JoJo,” Daddy said. “She’s a sweet old girl, aren’t ya?”
“JoJo, I love you!” She flipped over for me to scratch her belly. “Daddy, we need a pet.” Having an animal around really helped with my nerves.
“Little butterfly, follow Daddy so I can show you where we’re sleeping.”
“Can JoJo come too?”
Daddy grinned. “I think you’ve got a new bestie. She won’t leave your side now. Come on, you two.” Up the stairs and into a bedroom she followed us. He dropped our bags on the bed. “This is my childhood bedroom and literally nothing has changed.”
Unlike my old room, Daddy had band posters hanging on his walls, whereas mine had been plain. A desk sat under the window, the bed off to the side with a single nightstand beside it.
“How fun. Can JoJo sleep in here with us?”
“She can, but the old girl isn’t always great about getting up and down the stairs. This trip might’ve done her in for the day.”
I crouched down and petted her head. “Sorry, JoJo. I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.”
“Boys, dinner is ready,” Mom called up the stairs.
“Sage, would you like to feed JoJo?” Mom asked when we came into the kitchen.
“Yes, please.” Daddy walked me through it, showing me where her food was and how much to give. “There you go, girl. I’d be a great pet parent.”
“You would indeed, my love. Now the humans can eat. You’ll really enjoy Mom’s pot roast.” Hopefully Daddy was right and it wasn’t dry like my mama’s was. That was hard to eat, let alone keep down. This one was so much better, two bites in and I was in heaven.
“Did that moan come from you, Sage?” Mom smiled. With my mouth full all I could manage was a nod. “Glad you like it.”
If her roast was this good I couldn’t wait to taste her turkey and stuffing tomorrow.
“Happy Thanksgiving!” everyone said as Daddy and I came into the living room.
It was so nice to wake up to a house full of happy people instead of the grumps I had lived with.
Now that I’d seen how other people live and treat each other, it had really opened my eyes.
That, plus all the help my therapist has given me, had helped me believe in myself.
I deserve to be loved.
One of many daily affirmations she had me repeating to myself.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” we said back.
“Breakfast is in the microwave for you late sleepers,” Dad teased. “Bird is already in the oven.”
“Thank you.”
“You are very welcome, Sage. Go grab your plates and come watch the parade with us.” Mom didn’t have to tell us twice. At least, not me. I was starving.
“Watch that old dog,” Dad warned, “she’ll beg for scraps her stomach can’t handle.”
Got it, don’t give her people food.
After breakfast, the day was a whirlwind of in and out.
Dad and Jimbo were glued to the tv watching football while Daddy and Amber were helping Mom.
I took on the role of delivering fresh drinks and taking JoJo out for potty breaks and playtime.
Honestly, this was the best Thanksgiving I’d ever had.
When dinner was ready, we sat at the fancy table in the dining room, not the one in the kitchen we’d eaten at last night. Dad sat at the head of the table to carve the turkey.
“Everything looks wonderful, Sherry.” He gave Mom a kiss. Jimbo made vomit sounds and Dad nudged him. “This year we’re quite blessed welcoming a new son to our family. Sage, you’ve brought love and life to our eldest son, something he’d been searching for, and we’re thrilled to call you son.”
Tears welled in my eyes. Daddy wrapped his arm around me and tugged me against him. “Told you they’d love you just as I do. You are worth more than you’ll ever know.”
And there the tears went.
I had a real family that loved me.
“Enough of the mushy stuff.” Dad winked at me. “Let’s cut this bird and eat.”
Dad put a couple slices on each of our plates.
The side dishes were passed around, and I made sure to try a bit of everything.
There wasn’t a single food on this table that I didn’t love.
Stuffing, fresh cranberries, potatoes and gravy, even salad.
It was all wonderful and I felt like the blueberry girl in the Willy Wonka movie, ready to be rolled from the room.
“Mom, you go sit down,” Daddy said when we’d finished eating.
“We will clean the kitchen and put the leftovers away for you.” Jimbo and Amber didn’t argue.
Daddy was the oldest, and while I’m sure they fought when they were younger, they weren’t about to start with him now.
Mom worked hard today and even with the help we gave, she still did most of it.
Well, they gave. I pretty much hung out with JoJo.
After the kitchen was clean, Daddy put the coffee on, and it was time for pie. Pumpkin, apple, and my favorite, lemon meringue. I didn’t think I’d ever eaten this much in my life.
Coffee wasn’t my thing, but they enjoyed it and talked for a long time. Me and JoJo curled up on the couch beside Daddy and fell asleep. I don’t remember him carrying me upstairs, but he must have because I woke up the next morning in our bed.
Best Thanksgiving Day Ever!