Page 155 of Retribution

“How does one transport a live turkey? Don’t tell me you just put it in the trunk and hoped for the best?” Devon laughs, taking a drink of his water.

“Of course not! I’m not that stupid. I used Wren’s car seat, strapped him in real secure so he couldn’t go anywhere, safety first and everything.” Dad says proudly, then reaching forward to grab some more green beans.

“You’re kidding, right?” Ever says, his fork frozen in mid-air with a piece of turkey hanging from it.

“Please tell me you’re joking.” Mom winces, eyeing dad carefully.

“Look, I didn’t have many options, okay? He was flapping his wings and shit and –”

“Language!” Mom shouts, glaring at dad fiercely and then looking over at Wren, smashing into his food with his fork.

The baby monitor rings out with the sounds of Olive’s cries, mom groans and rises to her feet.

Poppy nudges me in the side and I peer down at her with an expectant look.

“Lolo, quick. Get me some marshmallows off the yams.” She looks between me and our parents, distracted with Olive.

I laugh and quickly grab the scoop, scraping the top layer of marshmallow from the yams and plonking it onto her plate.

She picks up her fork and begins shoveling it into her mouth at a rapid pace, whilst I silently giggle in delight.

Pops is definitely going to be the trouble-maker.

“Dad?” I stand up, walking around to his side of the table.

He stops his conversation with the boys and looks up at me, twisting his body to meet me.

“Lo?” He raises an eyebrow, already knowing what I’m going to ask.

“Please, can I go to Landon’s, we have this science project and–”

“Lo, we’ve talked about this–”

“Let her live, Reed.” Devon speaks up as my dad turns to him with narrowed eyes.

Dad lets out a sigh and turns back to me with a serious look on his face.

“Okay.” He states.

“Okay?” I ask, a smile bursting out onto my cheeks.

“Okay.” He repeats.

I throw my arms forward and wrap it around his neck, planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

“Thanks dad, you’re the best!” I squeal, practically jumping up and down.

Pulling away, I turn to Devon, “Lifesaver. Thank you!” I giggle and give him a big cuddle as he laughs obnoxiously at my dad.

“Yeah, yeah. Off you go then, before your mom gets back and scolds me for letting you leave.” My dad rolls his eyes and shoos me away.

Putting my phone in my pocket, I kiss my siblings goodbye and rush out of the house, forgetting to even bring a coat.

Landon only lives two blocks away anyway, so I won’t be in the cold for long.

I knock on his door and jig up and down, wrapping my arms around myself. I’m glad I’d chosen today to wear a hoodie, but it’s still not enough to protect me from the bitterness of the air.

The door pulls open to reveal my best friend, his eyes looking tired as if he’d just woken up from a nap.

---