Traffic was light, so we made great time getting in. Sierra wanted to surprise Cal at work so we pulled into the Toyota dealership that he was most likely to be working at. I guess it was a lucky pick, not only was he there but my dad was there too. It had been years since I had been into the dealership seeing I never really had a need to go there since I didn’t drive. I loved having a car, being able to get myself from point A to point B was priceless. Now that I was driving, I couldn’t help but take notice of all the shiny new cars in the lot. While Sierra loved on my brother and my dad continued working with a customer, Steve and I walked around the lot checking out what they had. I didn’t need a new car, but quickly decided that if I were to pick something different I would pick a 4Runner. Steve seemed to like it as well, and it was fun pretending we were a couple out car shopping. My dad found us out on the lot comparing the 4Runner to the Highlander. He and Steve shook hands before he wrapped me in one of his monster hugs while joking “Can I interest you in a test drive. I can get you a really good deal on either model.” It felt great being in his arms; I really do miss seeing my dad every day. I may not have liked being sheltered all those years but the reality is, I love my family and would have opted to hang out with them even if I had been given the choice to do otherwise.

Dad told us Cal was taking off and we didn’t need to worry about Sierra since she was going with him. The customer he had been with was finishing up his sales paperwork with the finance manager and as soon as he was done, Dad would be heading home as well. He kept his arm wrapped around my shoulder as he walked us towards my car. It wasn’t surprising that he led me to the passenger door, assuming that Steve would drive. Neither of us said anything, the truth is I preferred for Steve to drive too; but Steve always encouraged me to drive to get as much experience as possible.

Having Steve and Sierra in the home I grew up in was better than I expected. By the time we got to the house, Mom had food out for all of us. Kyler had a basketball game at the high school so we would all go cheer him on. High school hadn’t been my thing, so I really didn’t care to return and if it hadn’t been for Kyler playing varsity, I wouldn’t be going.

I’m not going to lie; it felt great walking back into the school while holding hands with Steve. I know people used to talk behind my back, they would make fun of my clothes, which if I am honest I can look back and laugh at what I wore too. They also called me names since I didn’t socialize and only spoke when forced to by a teacher.

Steve and I rode with Cal and Sierra, since we were all going to the same place it was just easier. I didn’t bother paying attention to anyone as we made our way into the gym. My parents always sat in the same spot so Cal and I lead Steve and Sierra there. I could feel all eyes on us as we made our way across the gym, I heard a few people calling out Cal’s name; he acknowledged them with a chin lift and kept walking. It wasn’t until we found our seats that a few of Cal’s buddies came over to say hi. One guy in particular made a crude comment about how I had finally found clothes that showed off my “smokin’ hot bod” as he called it. Thankfully Cal stepped in before Steve did. I just pretended not to hear what they were talking about and the guys quickly left.

We hadn’t gotten to see Kyler yet since he had to be back at the school by the time we got to the house. So it was fun to be there when the team came running out of the locker room. Steve whistled super loud as Kyler ran by us and you couldn’t miss the massive grin that graced his face when he realized we were there. Mom and Dad arrived right before they announced the starting five. When they called out Kyler, it wasn’t just Steve that whistled; we all went a little crazy. Based on our cheering you would think Kyler was a rock star. Thankfully he played a great game and they ended up winning. We all waited for him to leave the locker room after the game. When he finally emerged fresh from the shower, he wrapped me in a hug that lifted me off the ground. Out of everyone in my family, he was the one I felt like I wasn’t keeping up with like I wanted to. At that moment, I vowed to make more of an effort with him.

Once again dad invited us all out to a late dinner. It was tradition for us to go out to after Kyler had a game. If he won, he got to pick the restaurant. If he lost, dad would usually let me pick. Tonight it didn’t matter where we went, I was happy to be with my family and even happier that Steve and Sierra were there with us.

Kyler picked Jacks; a family style sports bar. The athletes like to go there after winning a game because they give free dessert to the players. I recognized the hostess as a girl I’d gone to school with. At first I didn’t know if she recognized me, and honestly I didn’t care if she did. I only had an issue with her repeated attempt to get Steve’s attention. Finally, when she tried for the third time, I called her out, “Sara, you can keep trying unsuccessfully to flirt with my man or you could pay attention to what is going on around you and take us to our table that has been ready to go for the past five minutes.” I could feel all eyes on me, including those that belonged to my dad. He was the first one to bust out laughing, but once the tension was broken both my brothers lost it too. Steve just wrapped his arm around my shoulder kissing my temple as Sara silently led us to our table.

It was all fun and games until our waiter was also someone I went to school with, only this time it was a male and he felt the need to flirt with me. Tables turned quickly and I wanted nothing more than to giggle at how quickly all four males at our table jumped to put him in his place. I wasn’t positive, but I thought I heard Steve mumble something along the lines of this wouldn’t happen if I was wearing his ring.

Despite Sara and the waiter whose name I couldn’t even remember, dinner was fun. It really was like Steve and Sierra were part of our family. I swear my mom treated Sierra the exact same way she treated me and Steve the same as she treated my brothers.

We got to talking about Cal’s schedule so we wouldn’t make plans that he couldn’t join us for. Cal had to work the following day, since Saturdays at the dealership were busy. Dad was also planning on going in for a little while. I was surprised when Steve asked if there was anything he could do to help while we were here. My dad quickly jumped at the chance to have his help. So, as quick as that, Steve was working Saturday, Monday, and black Friday. There was no way I was offering to give up black Friday, Sierra and I had been talking about that day for weeks now; plus we already had it planned out with my mom to be in line at Target when they opened. But I was willing to help any other day if my dad really needed it. He said they should be good, but that he would like me to come in on Monday for little while.

I may sound like a pussy, but my heart hurt watching the McMann family interact with one another. It reminded me of my parents and Sophia. I don’t know if I would have ended up having the friendship with my dad that Cal has with Luke, I like to think I would. It makes me sad knowing that I won’t have the chance to find out.

I can feel an unspoken sense of relief coming from Hannah. I don’t know if it is the presence of her family or our physical location; regardless of the reason, I am realizing she belongs here. Luke has already agreed to share her, which means if she belongs here I need to find a place to fit in here.

Fitting in here is the reason I volunteered to help at the dealership while I am in town. I am not doing it for the money, which is something I still need to talk to Hannah about. I am doing it to help and prove that I am not afraid of working hard.