Critical Thinking

20

The whole car ride after the concert was silent. Whenever dad tried to speak I switched my phone from silent to vibrate to act like I had someone text me. I text Bookie that my night would have gone so great but it was ruined. I flopped down on my bed with my face buried in my pillow. I kicked my shoes off and wiggled myself under the covers then pulled out my phone to see if he replied. Which he did not. I groaned putting my phone on the charger then laid back down to notice I still had the lights on. And before I could even complain while getting up to turn them off dad comes in. I groaned again burying my face in the pillow more as I heard his footsteps grow closer until I felt him sit on my bed.

"Hey bug, I just want to let you know that you did amazing for your first concert," he said.

"Thanks, dad," I mumbled.

"And the voice c***k really made the song better."

"You can stop talking now dad."

"No really."

I sat up and glared at him but I couldn't stop from the corners of my lips twitching up. Dad smiled at me and ruffled my hair making me pout.

"Your growing up, that's all," he said and I huffed feeling my cheeks heat up slightly from the memory of the moment.

"Yeah yeah dad," I said and he chuckled getting up walking over to the door.

"Don't stress over it. No one is going to think about it. And if they do, they won't for long." he said as I laid down.

"Okay, dad," I said smiling slightly and got comfortable.

"Night bug.," he said putting one hand on the doorknob and the other near the light switch.

"Night dad," I said and he switched the lights off then closed the door gently.

I turned in bed staring at the ceiling. Thoughts swirled around my head. Mostly about my voice cracking. Then some about Bookie, wishing he would reply back. But possibly it's late where he is too and he's asleep or maybe just busy. I turned again in my bed as more thoughts swarmed but this time about what dad said. It made me relax a bit more and I closed my eyes.

When I opened my eyes again it was bright. I covered my eyes slightly glancing at the window. It was a clear blue sky today with the sun trying to burn me and others eyes. I sat up rubbing my eyes then checked my phone to see I had missed calls, surprisingly a lot of messages, and not surprisingly a message from Feather book that was most likely from Bookie. I wondered why I had all these notifications though. I clicked on messages. Vic, Farley, Clyde, Cory, and Lily all had to text me on the group chat that was last used on my birthday.

Vic:

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Farley:

Happy Thanksgiving.

Clyde:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Lily:

Back to all of you as well!!!!

Cory:

Happy Thanksgiving.

I smiled and giggled. They were so kind, I'm glad we were all friends. I started typing back a reply.

Me:

Hehe, Happy Thanksgiving you all!

I clicked off my messages and went to Feather book. I clicked on my messages with Bookie and he had to text me happy thanksgiving as well. I smiled replying back to him now.

CyberGeek: Aw! Thanks, Bookie, you too!

BookerBooker: Your welcome! Sorry if I can't text much today.

CyberGeek: No I understand! Same here!

I got off Feather book and that's when the holiday really sunk in. Mom usually always cooked with dad helping. No, all of us helped her cook. The whole family would come over. What would happen now? Would dad cook and it just is him and I? Dad didn't have many family members like mom did. And they weren't close or free to usually come.

I tried to shake away my thoughts and got out of bed. I took a shower and brushed my teeth then headed back to my room. I wasn't ready yet to face dad. To ask him how Thanksgiving would be this year....possibly for now on. I went into my closet to entertain myself someway. I began to touch upon the walls with paint. Probably shouldn't do that in the nice clothes I just put on. I'd just have to be extra careful and keep my phone on silent so I won't get frightened so easily. I hummed to myself as I painted only to hear footsteps behind me. I put the paint brush down on top of the can of paint and turned around but still happened to jump when seeing dad.

"He-Hey," I said and he chuckled slightly.

"Morning bug, sleep well?" he asked and I nodded gently.

"Yeah, I guess so," I said yawning and he ruffled my hair making me huff.

"So..we better get to cooking eh?" he said making me look up at him.

"Oh um yeah," I said nodding and he leads the way downstairs to the kitchen.

We both started pulling out things needed to cook. I worked on the greens and mac n cheese while dad worked on the dressing and turkey. I hummed softly cooking then glanced at dad the same time he glanced at me.

"Did she text you?" we asked in sync then looked away.

"Guess she didn't." dad said quietly and we cooked in silence that made me feel more awkward than I already was.

"Um...I can text her?" I asked but he said nothing in response as we finished preparing the food.

After we finished I decided to sneak into the bathroom and started texting mom. I constantly typed then erased and typed again. I wasn't sure what to say to mom but finally, I figured what I could send.

Me:

Happy Thanksgiving Mom!

I bit my lip gently as I waited for a reply. As soon as I got a notification I clicked on it. I read it quickly and began to think of what to respond to next. I eventually started texting my reply and sent it.

Mom:

Happy Thanksgiving! Sorry I've been preparing for last night and was working hard for this morning. A lot of people will be over. I miss you.

Me:

I miss you too mom...it is weird to not have you here. And to not hear loud talking and laughing all around. I did not like the small space but I will admit I kind of miss it. I think dad does too...

Mom:

I know baby...and I'm a bit shocked to hear that. Also, your father will be fine. I'll call you a bit later on during the day or tonight. Love you.

Me:

Um....love you too mom.

I turned off my phone with a sigh after sending that message. I put my phone up then opened the door peeking out. I didn't see dad nearby and turned off the lights in the bathroom before walking out. I headed back to the kitchen to find dad at the table with his head in his hands.

"Dad..?" I said softly as I took a few steps towards him.

"Hm?" he replied looking up as hell brought his hands down showing his red tired eyes and slight tear-stained face, which made me frown.

"Um...mom said Happy Thanksgiving. She's supposed to be calling me later too." I said and he nodded slowly as awkward silence once again filled the air when an idea hit me.

"Hey...we don't have to really be alone. We could go to Clyde's his grandma likes to invite others to the neighborhood for Thanksgiving so I'm sure she won't mind." I said pulling out my phone to call Clyde.

"I'm not sure...." dad said sighing.

"It'll be fine." I smiled gently as I called Clyde for him to pick up on the first ring.

"Hey, what's up?" he said in a slightly muffled voice.

"My dad and I are coming over. Send us the address? Also, we'll bring more food!" I said grinning even though he couldn't see it.

"Sounds great!" Clyde said loudly to show his excitement which slightly made me giggle but I closed my lips together to stop the sound.

"Alright, we'll be on our way," I said as I got a notification of a text from Clyde which was probably his address before I hung up. "Let's go, dad," I said tugging his hand to pull him up.

"Alright alright," he said and sat up popping his back making me shutter then make a face.

"Yuck," I said and he waved his hand at me to dismiss me then walked over to the food.

We began to pack up the food together and carry I to the car. We placed it down on the floor in the back of the car. My duty was to watch it and to make sure none spilled. So some food I would have to hold as dad drove to Clyde's. I wondered if any of my other friends were there. I realized I had fallen asleep during the rest of the ride because I jumped awake by the sound of a car door closing. I blinked to see a dad holding some food and knocking on the door of a house. I grabbed some of the food myself then got out of the car to go up to dad when the door opened. There stood Clyde as he grinned widely.

"Glad you guys could make it," Clyde said stepping out the way for us to come in. "Is their more food in the car? Would you like me to help get some out?" he asked and my dad shook my head smiling.

"No we got this." dad said.

"But thanks," I said smiling at Clyde and he nodded.