Family Ties

“We’re awake!”

Christy complained and burrowed deeper into the pillow.

“Sorry,” I told her softly. Then I kissed her hair and climbed over her.

Dad knocked a third time before I yanked open the door. “We’re awake! For fuck’s sake, quit knocking!”

“Well, you asked for it,” I said defensively. “Didn’t you hear me shout?”

“But you kept knocking anyway.”

“I wanted to make sure you were up and moving.”

“I’m not a kid, Dad.”

His calmness unnerved me, and my cheeks flushed when I realized how I’d talked to him. “Sorry I snapped at you.

”

“Yeah, well… not from your son.”

“I’m glad you realize that.”

“I do. Sorry. Anyway, you probably didn’t bang on our door just for fun.

Especially this early. So, what’s up?”

“Ah, maybe you aren’t so slow on the uptake after all.” He grinned to take the sting out of it. “I just got off the phone with the weather service.

Front’s moving in faster. Pressure’s falling and the winds’re picking up.

Thunderstorms here by noon. And since we’re flying west…”

I glanced at the lightening sky and actually paid attention to the air.

I could feel the change myself, once he’d mentioned it.

“I think we should leave before breakfast,” he added unnecessarily.

“Roger that. We’ll get moving.”

He nodded, satisfied, and went to knock on Erin’s door.

I closed ours and found Christy standing behind me.

“I heard.” She slipped into my arms and tilted her face up for a kiss. “I wish we could go back to bed.”

“What?” I laughed. “You didn’t get enough earlier?”

“I’ll never get enough of you.

” She kissed me again, and the little head reacted oh-so-predictably. She laughed. “Someone agrees.”

“Someone doesn’t have to fly home through thunderstorms if we don’t leave soon enough.”

“Can we do that? Is it safe?”

“Roger that,” she mimicked. “Do we have time for a shower?”

“If we make it quick,” I said. “No fooling around. For real. Okay?”

“Yes, sir, captain, sir.”

We grabbed our towels and toiletries and headed across the road. My parents arrived right behind us, followed by a very groggy Erin.

I thought she’d complain about getting up earlier than she wanted, but she simply joined Christy and me and waited her turn under the water.

“Why don’t you turn on another shower?” Mom suggested.

“’Cause I want hot water.”

“We have plenty. Susan replaced the hot water heaters last year.”

“You knew,” Erin accused me, “didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but you were so cute when you thought you were maneuvering Christy and me into showering with you.