Grandpa Mort and I rowed the canoe up towards the middle of the lake. When we started rowing, the canoe started to sail on it's own. The scenery was peaceful, as we just hear the water and the wind. We both took a moment to smell the air, before exhaling.
"Now, Andy... did something happened to you, when you were adopted?" Grandpa Mort asked.
I shook my head. "You mean, regarding about my parents. Never. They pretty much gave me a home, however I could have a better childhood that I could have. Meaning that I would prefer to be adopted, while still being a kid, instead of a teenager."
"Oh."
"Without them... I would probably be on the streets." I feared the worst alternative. "That's why I... was grateful to them."
"Why was?"
"Well... because they're gone." I said.
He understood, what I meant. He took off his hat to see his long and bushy hair. I couldn't help, but giggle.
"Something got you in the fun?" he smirked.
"Well, it's that I often see you wear your fisherman's hat. Like you always wear all the time." I explained.
"Yeah, that's true. However, I do keep it long, eh?" he took off his hat to show off his hair.
"That's true." I chuckled, before I looked around our surroundings. "Do you catch any fish here?"
"Of course, even Maynard shares it with me." Grandpa Mort answered.
"You two fish together?"
"Sometimes." he put back on his fishing hat. "We even at one point caught a barra. We're on this very canoe, when we caught it. It almost sank us, as we're trying to pull it out of the water."
"Wow." I was amazed with his fishing story.
"Speaking about fishing... have you fished before?"
The last recall that I ever fished was back awhile back when my brother got out of the Army. My parents decided to have all of us go fishing at the Sacramento River. We couldn't be able to keep the fish, but really wisely we shouldn't eat anything too much from that water. We basically fished from the edge, not too far from the river road. Unfortunately, we didn't caught anything, but it was one of the best moments that I had, before the family tore apart. We were all happy and never knew anything what would eventually come.
From that moment, I came back to the present and answered Grandpa Mort's question. "It's been a long time that fished, but haven't done any of that recently."
"Well good news, Chilli stated that they're planning on a visit not too far from the future. Perhaps you should join us." he suggested.
I nodded and confirmed that I'll possibly join. My started to go off and noticed that I have to be ready to back on the road. The time was about noon, and I had to return to Brisbane, in time to pick up the cousins. We were able to canoe back to shore to see Maynard is back at it again... fishing.
After a short walk back to Grandpa Mort's home, I was able to thank him again for the truck and also spending some quality time. As I was driving, I came to remember the spot where I pulled over. And a ding came on my phone to see it was my brother. When I came to a stop, when I arrived back at Brisbane... I peeked to see he has entered the "Keyboard Warrior" phase again with a long text. I simply just shook my head and refused to look at it further. A honk of a four-wheel white SUV from behind went off and got me back to look at the green light. I waved at the car behind me, as an apology for paying attention.
Eventually, I was able to arrive at Bluey's school and I was only about ten minutes early. I was able to park my truck at a spot and waited. At one point, a pulled over to the side and parked across from me. It was the same SUV that honked at me short time ago. Out came was a Jack Russell Terrier and his kid. We looked at each other oddly, until he spoke.
"Wait a minute... did I see you before?" he asked.
"Well... you were the one honked me because of the light was green. However, I wasn't paying attention, I apologized."
He took a minute to look at my truck and realized it. "Oh. I knew I seen you somewhere. Are you from around here?"
"Just only a few short days I've started living here, however I was visiting at one point."
"Oh I see... you go to school here?" The Jack Russell asked me.
"Not here, I... I was at school back in the States. The United States." I answered, and he became shock and amazed that I was all the way on the other side.
"Oh my, what are you doing?"
"I was here with my parents visiting extended family members. Until my parents and I suffered a car accident."
"I'm terribly sorry." he apologized with remorse. "I had no idea, you went through an accident."
"We were just leaving for the airport to return and a wild life animal appeared out no where and there's a wreck."
"Well, I'm glad to see you back on your feet and your parents-"
"Actually, they passed away. From the accident." I interrupted.
He became more remorseful than before. "Oi gee, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Forget it." I dismissed it.
Than there a few bits of silence, until the doors opened up signaling for pickup. "Well, pickup time is here." We actually started walking together up to the top, as other parents started to arrive and/or follow us. "Who are you picking up?"
"My distant cousin, Bluey." I answered. "Who are you picking up?"
"My son, Jack. And actually they're friends too and sometimes they play together." he answered.
"Oh, that's nice."
Andy! I see Bluey coming to me and giving me a hug.
"Bluey, hi! You about ready?"
"Yes." she than turned to the Russell Terrier. "Hi Jack's Dad."
"Hello Bluey." Jack's Dad waved back.
"Well, it's very nice meeting you, Jack's Dad... perhaps we would pass paths again and hopefully I'll make sure that I'm looking at the lights too."
Jack's Dad laughed, before his son came and hugged him. "Ready to go, Jack."
"Ready! Bye, Bluey!" Jack spoke and said his good-bye to Bluey, as did she.
Bluey and I were than in the truck, and started our way to pick up Bingo. "Did you have a good day at school, today?"
"Yes. Why are were you talking to Jack's Dad?" Bluey answered, before she asked.
"Well, we just met and talked for a bit." I answered. "We actually had our first encounter at a traffic light."
"Really? For what?" Bluey was amazed.
"He was just in hurry and wanted to arrive on time to pick up Jack. Nothing serious." I answered. "What were you doing at school?"
"I was playing with Indie and Chole, dressing up as fairies." she answered. "We saw Mackenzie and we tried to have him play with us, however he got pulled back by Rusty. They were playing another game with Jack. They were traveling in space."
"Wow!" I exclaimed and noticed that we're pulling into Bingo's kindy school. On time, I was able to confirm with Uncle Bandit and Aunt Chilli that I have picked up Bluey and about to pick-up Bingo from her school. We both exited out of the truck and arrived at the front. Within a few minutes, two kids opened the door to the school.
"Please come in." one of the kids spoke.
We all formed in a line to pick up the kids. It was a short wait time, until me and Bluey were up to pick up Bingo.
"Bluey, Andy!" she shouted, once she was informed that we were here to pick her up. She gave Bluey a hoppy hug and the two giggled. Bingo, than gave me a hug.
"Hey, Bingo! You about ready?" I greeted.
"Yes, and Mrs. Retriever wanted to talk to you." she replied. I asked her why. Bingo told me it's regarding about myself. I went over to see her tending with Bingo's classmates, until she excuses herself for a moment with me.
"Hello, you must be Bingo's cousin?" she asked.
"Yes, and you must be Bingo's teacher, Mrs. Retriever?" I replied back.
"That I am. Bingo tells me you sing?"
I turned back to her and she lightly smiled, nervously from the reveal. "I mean when not doing too much, but... why's that?"
"She was just telling me about your time with them and a recent family gathering. I know somewhere you could work."
"To work, you mean here?" I questioned nervously loud that the kids giggled from what I said.
"Oh no..." she brushed it off kindly. "... but in the markets, I know someone who performs there often and he could help you set up there."
It was an opportunity for work that I could do something part time on the side. Just earn little of money. After taking a moment to think and I was sold by it. "I'll definitely think about that. Sounds intriguing."
"Wonderful. Here's my card for my stand at The Markets." she than gave me her card. It apparently she offers health advice to people. "We operate on the weekends and thought it'll be a perfect chance to try it out."
I nodded and agreed. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Retriever and I might see you out that."
"Glad to help."
And so, Bluey and Bingo, and myself arrived at home, after a short drive from Kindy. I was able to unlock the door and the kids came through. We looked around to find, if someone was here. It was until we saw Aunt Chilli cooking in the kitchen.
"Hi Mum!" Bluey and Bingo came to their mother and gave her a hug.
"Hi girls!" Auntie Chilli greeted. "You two had a good day?"
They both spoke and told about their day, before she had them get settled. "Hello, Andy." Auntie Chilli turned to me and smiled.
"Hi Aunt Chilli." I came in and we hugged. "Everything go well today."
"Yup. Just finished work and doing the slow cooker." she answered, as she was preparing for dinner. "You won't mind for meatballs, would you?"
"That sounds really good. spaghetti?"
"For tonight's dinner." she replied, as she took off her apron and gave me a kiss. "How's Grandad?"
"We had a good time. We walked towards the dock and canoed at the lake." I told her about the time I had.
"Wonderful. He called me and told me about you two canoeing." she added. "He appreciated the time you visited."
"True, and I know I had to pick up Bluey and Bingo from school too." I felt as if it went too fast, because I had to pick up my cousins.
She understood. "Yes, and thank you for picking them up today."
"No problem." I said. "I have some good news."
"Oh, what is it?" she asked, as she and I walked to the balcony outside. Down below we watched the girls started to play for a bit.
"Bingo's teacher, Mrs. Retriever... helped me find a job."
She turned with a surprise. "A job?! Where?"
"Over at The Markets." I told her. "I was told that I would be able to perform there."
"Andy, that's wonderful!" she cheered. "I believe Busker would be the one to help you from there."
"Who?" I asked.
"Busker. We often see him do music at The Markets, and perform in the city. He even did music for Uncle Rad and Aunt Frisky's wedding."
"Really, that's cool." I amazed that it appears that she and possibly Uncle Bandit have a connection with him.
"I could give you the number for him and you could call him." she than pulled out her phone and gave me his number. I was able to put in his contact information onto my phone. "Perhaps you could call him tomorrow and work things out with him."
"Thank you, Auntie Chilli." I thanked her. "And... hopefully we could have another talk too."
"Of course... about work?"
My head shook. "No, something happened, before I met up with Grandpa Mort and could have spoiled the get together."
She took a moment and realized regarding about the email to my brother and the as well to the rest of my family. It was at that point, we returned inside the kitchen and closed the door. "Your brother?"
I nodded. "Can we discuss like, after dinner... while the girls are prepping for bed. I just don't want a conversation to be a over night thing."
"Great idea." she smiled.
My phone started to go off and to reveal... that it was Blake. I sighed out of annoyance. I didn't want to respond to his message and know exactly what it says. Auntie Chilli became concerned.
"I have to take this call and hopefully, the kids won't come inside anytime." I told Auntie Chilli.
She nodded. "I'll go check on them and I'll come back." She exited the kitchen and I took a moment to answer his call.
"Hello."
You got my message?
I shook my head. "Yes, I did Blake. I couldn't get a chance to respond-"
Why?
"I was picking up cousins from school." I explained. "I couldn't answer the phone, while driving."
Oh, okay.
"Look, I did have glance at it. However, I just have to say, it's the same wording you had first said to me. After, telling you about my trip-"
Andy, I'm just saying that you too inwardly focus your love with them (Parents) that you forget about your own brother.
"Don't ever tell me about that! I never had a family nor brother in the matter! What's the matter with you?!" I exclaimed and apparently Auntie Chilli came in.
It's obvious since you don't talk to me anymore. That's why we need to have a conversation, about what they did to me.
"You told me about it, enough Blake! It's hard for me to believe it, since I only knew them for a few years and never know them my whole life, unlike you! And how would I could possibly know if it was the opposite?"
Don't you dare talk back to me, Andy!
I continued to shake my head again. "Look, we're done right now! The conversation is over. Apparently, you're still upset and you're not even giving a chance to let bitter past go, especially after they died."
And don't try to pull the "They died" card! That is such low and full of shi-
"Goodbye and I'm sorry. Talk to me when funeral is near, or if you're ready to listen your voice on how you talk to me. And how you're treating me!" I became more shaken that I had to hang up the phone and breathed heavily. I than tossed the phone to the couch.
I fall down in sitting position. My anger was about to explode.
"Calm and take some breaths." Auntie Chilli advised me.
"I'm sorry, Auntie!" I apologized. "I just can't get words out of my mouth in full sentence, without him cutting me off!"
She than rubbed my shoulder for comfort, as my paw placed onto hers. It was than the front door became unlocked and opened.
"And the Super Dad, enters..." Uncle Bandit busted in with fun humor, until he saw me and Auntie Chilli in the sitting room. "... the room."
We both looked at Uncle Bandit. "Hi, Uncle Bandit." I greeted him.
"Did I do something wrong?" he questioned regarding about his entry. It wasn't the case.
"Bandit..." Auntie Chilli spoke. "...why don't you check up on the girls. They're outside playing."
"Oh, right-o." he responded back, as he looked at me with a worry expression. From there, me and Auntie Chilli were still in the room for almost an hour until dinner...
