Chapter 10 Cont. Christmas Time
Christmas Time
Cass came over to the house so she could get a ride to Grandma Miriam’s on Dad’s side of the family.
She brought some weed with her.
I could smell it.
I approached her in the kitchen.
I told her.
She asked if I had a way to help her get rid of the smell before we headed out to Grandmas.
I offered to tell her by the horses.
She agreed.
We went out into the backyard and headed around the swimming pool wall.
The cool air brushed against our faces.
The breeze caused ripples across the surface of the pool.
The leaves of the shrubs stayed intact, but the leaves of the trees had turned and fallen.
Leaves crunched under our shoes as we walked up to the gate that led to the horses and pasture.
“When did you start smoking weed, Riv?”
“Venice.”
“Oooh, I figured,” she said, scolding in obligation.
There was a subtle hint of pride in her voice.
She had a weathered kind of love for me.
Inasmuch as I was her little sister, she often saw me as her daughter.
We hid behind the backside of the TuffShed Dad had gotten for me.
I loved that shed so much.
I had my Pink Floyd flag hung in there.
I burned incense in there.
I snuck a cigarette or two in there because I missed the smell.
I rolled up the piece of foil I brought out.
She packed it.
I had the barbecue lighter from the kitchen drawer.
Click.
Click.
Coughing.
More coughing.
I realized I hadn’t brought any perfume or anything.
“What are we going to do about the smell?” I asked.
“Stay outside awhile, I guess. It shouldn’t be too strong over my cigarette.”
“Riverrrr, Casssss! We gotta get going! Where are you?”
“Oh shit,” said Cass as she crumpled up the foil.
“Quick, blow your smoke on me.”
She took another drag off of her cigarette and blew it in my general direction as I twirled around.
While she buried the aluminum lump, I poked around the corner of the shed so Mom wouldn’t be tempted to come any further.
“Okay! We’ll come inside!” I said.
“What are you guys doing?”
“Visiting the horses. Cass never gets to see them.”
“Well, hurry up then. Let’s get going.”
She went back inside.
Cass sighed in relief.
We said a quick “hello” to the horses while we were standing there and went back inside.
“Why do you smell like cigarettes, Riv?” Mom asked as we walked in.
“Because Cass smokes and I was hanging out with her while she smoked.”
Dad gave me a humored look.
“Hey Riv, now that you have your driver’s permit, maybe you should drive us tonight.”
Anxiety crept over me, but I hoped to not look as paranoid as I was beginning to feel.
“Sure,” I said, almost bubbly.
He studied me momentarily.
Does he know I’m stoned? I thought.
Is this responsible of him?
Is he trying to get me to admit I’m stoned?
I wonder if it’s fun to drive stoned.
“Hey River, can you help me load the car with the presents and food, please?” Mom called from the garage door.
“Yeah, Mom.”
After Cass and I both helped Mom get the gifts into the car, I got into the drivers seat and scooted the seat all the way forward.
“You’re too close to the steering wheel.” He said.
“I can’t reach the pedals if I scoot any further back.”
“Then adjust the back a little bit.”
I did.
I could barely see over the wheel now, but whatever, I thought.
He told me how to get there as we went along, but I couldn’t memorize it enough to drive us back home.
He turned up the radio.
“Who’s singing this one?”
I laughed into oblivion.
“Mannn, I don’t even know.”
Cass tried to contain her laughter in the backseat with Mom.
“What’s so funny?” Mom asked.
We both erupted in laughter.
Dad rolled his eyes.
“Who IS singing this song, Mom?”
She listened to the groovy bass line and telephone vocals.
“Three Dog Night.”
It was.
We pulled into the driveway.
We were going to stay outside again while Cass lit up another smoke.
But, unlike their “Three Mommas”, our Momma told us to come.
