Page 54 of Espresso Your Love

“That was it.”

“Hopefully nothing serious.”

We pull up to the house, and there are two figures on the porch. The bright sun is blinding.

“Can we help you?” I yell out.

They both jump and turn around.

“Ryan Matthew Hayes, don’t you ever scare your mother like that again.”

“Mother?” Mitchell starts laughing.

“Mom, Sadie, what are y’all doing here?” I walk up to them and hug them both.

“I missed my son and couldn’t wait another day to see you. We figured the Autumn Festival would be a good day to come visit.”

“That was yesterday.”

“What? No, it’s today.” Sadie looks through her phone. “Oh no, it was yesterday. I’m sorry, Mom.”

“Nonsense, that just means we get to spend more time with Ryan since he’s not working the festival. Right, honey?”

“I just started my shift, but I’ll be home for dinner.”

“Perfect. We’ll stroll around town and see you then.”

I hand them the keys to the house and go back to work.

Surprisingly, work goes by quickly, and I get my huge stack of paperwork finished before my shift ends. The anticipation of my mom and sister being here helped.

“It’s me,” I say as I walk through the door.

The house is filled with the aroma of my mom's famous homemade lasagna and my sister’s freshly baked bread. She’s been on a sourdough kick, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she traveled with it. Both of them are in the kitchen with Italian music playing as they dance and cook. Sadie, a little less dance and a little more wobble with her almost-due baby belly.

“You’re just in time!” my mom calls out, straightening her apron. “It’s almost ready.”

“Good, I brought my appetite.” I open the backdoor to let Max out. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

I walk down the hallway to my room to unload my gear and change clothes. I let Max back inside and take off his harness.

“You did good today, buddy.” I scratch him behind his ear, and his tongue hangs out of his mouth. “Now, it’s time to relax. Let’s get some food.” He jumps up and licks my face. “Okay, boy. C’mon.”

I walk through the kitchen to refill Max’s water bowl. “This smells amazing. I’ve missed your cooking, Mom.”

“While I’m sad to miss the festival, I’m always happy to make my boy one of his favorite meals.”

“Me, too.” I notice Sadie rubbing her stomach and wincing. “Let me take over. Go put your feet up.”

“Not you too! I’m fine, promise. Just trying to get him to move. He’s been sitting on my ribs.”

“All right,” I laugh, leaning back against the counter. “But don’t say I didn’t offer.”

She turns to me and sticks out her tongue. It’s nice to see she hasn’t lost her spunk.

As I set the table for dinner, Sadie and Mom fill me in on the happenings in Birmingham—the very simple everyday life sort of happenings, and I reminisce on the calls I’ve had to report to.

“Looks like you’re settling into the small-town life pretty good, big brother,” Sadie says as she sits down and lets out a big sigh.

---