Page 23 of Whiskey & Honey
“Huh, that’s pretty cool.”
“Yeah, pretty cool. Completely weird and a little on the creepy side but cool, Ben.” Giggles and a smile take over her face as she reaches toward the radio and turns up the volume, ultimately regulating the moment.
We make it to my parents’ house with less than four minutes to spare. As we make our way up the to the kitchen door – nobody uses the front door here – the door flies open with the birthday girl shouting.
“Where the hell … Why are you guys together? Oh presents! Gimme!”
I shake my head and lift my gift bag up as Piper does the same and they are snatched from our hands. “Why are they the same? Did you get me the same thing? Ben, did you keep the receipt?”
I walk in and scoop my mom up in a big hug and offer a kiss to her cheek. I turn to Dad and he hands me a beer. “Ash, if they are the same, why would you take mine back and not Piper’s?”
“Because, you big oaf, she’s my bestie. Yours goes back,” she says, sitting down at the kitchen table. Before she can begin pulling the pink paper stuff the shop girl put in the bag, my dad takes the gifts from her.
“You know the rules, Ashton Marie. No gifts until after we eat. Piper, can I get you something to drink? A glass of wine?”
“Thanks, Paul. Actually, I’ll just take some water for now. I had to take allergy meds and need to drink more water.”
That reminds me, I never asked her about the roses. “Hey, Piper, who left you the roses? You never said.”
She shakes her head and takes a drink of water. Ashton, still pouting from Dad taking her gifts, looks between the two of us. I know that look so I put finger up to stop her before the inquisition starts.
“Piper and I were both at the school today when I found her in the middle of an allergy attack.” My mom turns to me with an arched brow as she sets the final tray of food on the counter.
Before Ashton can offer commentary, my dad looks at Piper, confused. “What idiot gave you roses? You’re allergic.” Piper smiles in response.
“That’s what Ben said too. Obviously it wasn’t a Sullivan as you all seem to be up to speed on my allergies.” We all laugh before my mom declares it dinnertime. Dad and I let the ladies put their plates together and head out to the patio before we start on our own.
“So, you spent the day with Piper?”
Here we go. “No, Dad. Piper and I are both teachers at the same school. I saw her like I said and made sure she was okay. Don’t make this something it’s not.”
I finish putting my burger together and grab my beer to join the ladies outside when he starts laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. I think you almost believe that line of shit you just fed me, son. The only time you have ever been defensive is when you’re caught in a lie. I can probably count on one hand each time. I believe this conversation just started me on hand two.”
“I’m not lying. Piper and I are friends. And co-workers. Look, I was thinking of getting Ash a second gift and figured who better to help than her best friend. So yeah, I asked Piper to help me. Come on, Dad, you know Ash is a royal pain when it comes to her gifts and if I screwed this up I’d never hear the end of it.”
“Royal pain is being kind to your sister. She’s the most selfless person I know except on her birthday. If we let her, she’d have it declared a national holiday.”
This time, we both laugh and join the women outside. Dinner goes along as normal with no more comments about me and Piper. Of course, since it is Ashton’s birthday most of the conversation is geared to her liking.
Once we’ve cleaned up dinner and let the meal settle Ashton declares it shortcake time. A quick rendition of the birthday song and she quickly transitions us to gift time. First up is the gift card for a day at the spa for Ashton and Piper from our parents. Squeals and high fives abound as they declare it the best gift ever. Which is funny because it is the same gift they have both been getting from my parents since they were sixteen.
Next is Piper’s gift. I admit I took a peak when the clerk first handed me the bag. Ashton is instantly crying as she opens the box the silver compact sits in. She flips it over and begins reading the inscription aloud, “Friends by chance. Sisters by choice.”
“Oh, Pipes! It’s perfect. You bitch, now I’m crying!”
Everyone laughs as the girls hug and sniffle together. Next up is my gift. I hold my breath a little as she pulls a box similar to that of Piper’s gift. This one, instead, is long and rectangular. My mom looks at me with a twinkle in her eye and I know more tears are coming.
Ashton pulls the locket from the box and she lets out a gasp. With glistening eyes, she looks at me. “Open it,” I tell her. I watch her as she does and the tears freely fall.
“Ben,” she whispers and comes flying at me.
“I love you, Monkey.”
“Thank you, I love you too. I’m so happy you’re home.”