Page 40 of Real Sexy
Grant’s skeptical look is replaced by a wide grin.“What can I say?It’s those Thrasher super swimmers.”
“And it explains why I’m as big as a house.”
“Oh, wow.That’s amazing.Congratulations,” Ripley says.“Do you know if they’re boys or girls or one of each yet?”
Wendy shakes her head.“No, we’re opting for a surprise this time.All we want is healthy.”
“Y’all gonna stand out in the drive all night?Your ma’s puttin’ dinner on the table in a few minutes.”
We all turn to see Dad on the front porch, beer in hand.
“We’re comin’, Papa!”Kyle takes off at a run, which is pretty much the only speed he moves at these days.
I follow behind him with Ripley beside me.
“You ready for this?”I ask her.
“I hope so.”
22
Ripley
It doesn’t takea genius to see that Boone’s brother is leery of me.And why shouldn’t he be?His kid brother, a superstar, got publicly cheated on and dumped, and then he shows up two weeks later with a new woman in tow?
And then Boone called me his girlfriend and my heart nearly stopped.
We walk up the steps of the white farmhouse that looks like it belongs on an Americana postcard, and Boone’s dad stands in the doorway.
“I’m Randall Thrasher.It’s nice to meet you.”
“Ripley Fischer.I’m sorry we didn’t call ahead.”I take the hand he offers and shake it.
“No need to call ahead.This is my boy’s home.He’s welcome anytime, day or night, and so are you.Can I get you a beer?”
“Sure.That’d be great.”
Boone shoots me a smile, and I wonder if that was the right answer.
“Ma, we finally made it inside!”
“You think I don’t know that?My favorite grandson already found me and told me no one would miss my dinner while it was hot.”
Boone’s mom steps out of the kitchen.Now that I see her up close, I recognize those same brilliant blue eyes that Boone, Grant, and Kyle all have, although it appears hers have faded some with age.Her hair is a blond chin-length bob, as opposed to Boone’s dark hair, which must have come from his dad, although now Mr.Thrasher’s is now more salt and pepper.
Stepping inside their house is like walking into the life I wished I could have had as a kid.A cozy couch and love seat situated in front of a fireplace, which has a flat-screen TV mounted over it.I can picture stockings hanging from the mantel at Christmas, with a plate of milk and cookies for Santa nearby, waiting for him to come down the chimney.
The rug is worn, but the flowers depicted on it still hold their color.The tables look like antiques and match the grandfather clock on the other side of the fireplace.The living room opens into a dining room, and the big table is set with enough plates for the whole family—and me.
Mr.Thrasher disappears into the kitchen and returns with three beers for us, and a Sprite that he hands to Wendy with a kiss to her cheek.“You look beautiful, girl.Make sure my boy keeps you smiling like that.”
From the way Wendy’s lips curve, I’m sure this isn’t the first time Mr.Thrasher has said something to that effect.
Kyle comes running out of the kitchen with a red Kool-Aid mustache.“Lala says the veggies aren’t done yet.Five more minutes.I’m gonna help finish setting the table.”
Mr.Thrasher hands out the bottles to the rest of us and ruffles the boy’s hair before Kyle darts off again.
Everything about this house and the people in it screamsfamily.Something I haven’t had in a really long time, or maybe ever.
