Tuesday Morning

You awaken the next morning early. You lay in your old bed for about a half hour before you decide to just get up. You just aren't used to sleeping in on weekdays anymore, vacation or not.

As you go towards the bathroom you smell pancakes wafting up from the kitchen, which makes your stomach growl loudly. Taking a healthy sniff you close the bathroom door to take care of the morning routine of shaving and showering.

"John! You up yet?" You hear your father shout from downstairs.

You shout your answer as you get into the shower. You're not sure he heard you but as the warm water hits you you don't really care.

Twenty minutes, freshly scrubbed and shaved you walk down the stairs and into the kitchen. On the table is a covered platter, one you assume is the pancakes.

"There we go," you mutter as you grab another plate and a fork.

As you heat five pancakes up in the microwave you grab the butter out of the fridge along with the syrup. As the microwave dings its completion of the heating your father steps into the kitchen from the back porch. "Haven't quit yet, huh?" You ask as you sniff the cigar stench.

Your father gives you a look, "I have one a week. That's it. Its just something to get my mind off things, you know?"

You nod as you poor the syrup over the buttered up pancakes, "I know, but still, I think Id rather see you with a pipe or something. Longer filter and all that."

You father pours himself a cup of coffee as he answers, "Tried, couldn't get into it. Took to long for the nicotine to hit." He sits across from you taking a sip of the black coffee, "So what are your plans for the day?"

"I don't know. Talk to mom for a bit, then maybe check out some of the old hang out spot, you know? See who's still around and catch up with old friends."

"Good idea. I have another idea, I'm supposed to pick up Courtney from school today, why don't you do it?"

You look up with a fork full of pancake hovering at your mouth, "Would the teacher let her go with me? She didn't look like anyone I recognize, and I wasn't actually introduced.”

“Good point, but I’ll make a call. It shouldn’t be a problem. They just opened a small amusement park just outside the town limits, she likes it there.”

“That sounds like a plan.” You think it over for a second, “Yeah I like that idea. Sounds good.” You never thought you’d be looking forward to spending time with a four year old, but there you are practically giddy at the prospect.