Page 61 of An Adventure For Aster

“Merry Christmas,” his mother said.

“You too,” he said. “How are you doing? You all look good.”

“Doing well,” his father said. “Not as well as you, but we can’t all be a hero.”

He wanted to grind his teeth over that statement that his father made with a huge smile on his face. He was sure his father was still bragging to everyone about what Aster did and maybe what he got in exchange.

Another reason he had to get the hell out of there.

He didn’t do anything for money. He never did.

If he was after money the last thing he would have done was risk his life day in and out in the service. It’s not like he was making a ton in his bank account doing that.

“Yeah,” he said. “That’s me saving the production line again and again.”

“Aster,” his mother said. “Stop joking and introduce us.”

“Raine Scarsdale, my parents, Roseann and Glen Allen.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she said.

“You too,” his mother said. “Daphne has been telling us a bit about you. You’re a teacher and from the area.”

“I am,” she said. “Born and raised here. I’ve only been away for college.”

“Wow,” his mother said. “Aster has traveled so much. I felt he had itchy feet and that is why he went into the service. We’ll see how long he stays.”

He wanted to grind his teeth over that too. His parents didn’t understand him at all.

Even Daphne frowned and nudged his mother and he was positive Raine noticed.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “Maybe it’s time for a quiet life.”

“Well, you can go and do anything you want now,” his father said.

“I heard you and Daphne cooked a ham today,” he jumped in to say.

They talked for another five minutes and he hung up.

“They seem nice,” she said.

“They are.”

“Not like you made them out to be,” she said.

“I don’t think I made them out to be too horrible. Just that they weren’t great parents. They did their own thing most times in life. The best word I could use to describe them is selfish.”

“Everyone is at different points in their life,” she said. “I think it’s sweet you sent so much stuff to your mother and sister from Blossoms.”

“Daphne was over the moon. She said my mother was too.”

“But she didn’t thank you,” Raine said.

“No,” he said.

“Your father seemed to like the tools you sent,” she said. “At least he said he did.”

“He needs some tools for work. He has to buy them himself for some things. My guess is he hasn’t in years.”

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