Nope, I needed a distraction. I picked up my phone to see five new messages.
DAD
10-4, Son. Let me know if you need me to keep Mike and his crew in line today.
TESSA
Keep them in line? Please! You’d be having them all take a break for a game of euchre by ten.
JASPER
She’s not wrong…
MOM
If anyone should be tasked with keeping an eye on the construction crew, it’s me. I’ve managed to keep you lot in line for decades.
JASPER
Yeah, everyone except Chase
Fuck you very much, little brother.
CHASE
Hey, leave me the fuck outta this
MOM
Chase Matthew, watch your language.
CHASE
Who the hell started this group chat anyways?
CHARLIE
Me! I miss you guys. Who’s ready for me to move home?!
Charlie was wrapping up her final semester at Michigan State and would be heading home just in time for the cidery to open in June.
The texts kept rolling in.
NATALIE
ME ME ME!
TESSA
Me too!
MOM
So excited to have you home, sweetie.
CHARLIE
39 days!
