Friend Zoned

wn that separates our houses. I'm pretty sure my dad would love to move into something newer, grander, and in a mo

of family recipes. My father's silver SUV is parked in the driveway, but he's conspicuously absent. My guess

pends much of

been in politics for the last fifteen years, my mom decided it would be easier to give up her nursing job at the hosp

Sam! I didn't know you were going to drop by today. I would have prepared lunch." Her

Violet asked if I could stop by and r

ws draw together in concern

bathroom needed tighteni

ake after my father. He's tall, broad, and played college football. I was groomed at a young age to

I would have been more than

an't see my suit-wearing father wielding a wrench, attempting to fix a l

e she finishes that thought, "Well, I coul

oft chuckle escap

y what she wo

give me a hug. This place might be old and full of charm on the outside, but it has been completely gutted

I get you something to eat? We ca

us grilled cheese sandwiches after I fixed

et come w

while I stopped over here. Mr. Winterfield hasn't been

ry to hear that. Maybe I'll pop

er is a bad guy but with his work schedule, he's absent most of the time and that leaves Mom on her own more often than not. Even though she's busy, I think she misses working at the hospital. Since Ari

University. Although, I think we all realize that it was Violet's choice to stay that tippe

most too quiet, which is definitely odd. Gavin and Ari usually have friends over and my fath

been prouder of their big brother and how well the team is playing this year." Then she makes an exasperated noise in her throat. "Now that football is over, Gavin's already chafing at the bit. He can't wait to ge

sive arm. I wish I had more time to spend throwing the ball around with him. My da

be I'll try to get back over here duri

uld love that. Both he and Ari miss havin

ady know. "I miss them, too." Then I add b

d close and we're able to

an count on her to be there. Our family has always been her first priority. My father, on the other hand, rarely makes it to more than

s seat is up for re

y something I want to get involved in is when I see how much time

want that

re

l yet. Although, I'm not worried. I've got a three-point-nine GPA and feel pretty good about my

back of my mind, I always realized that at some point, we would head off in different directions. But I'd

that what I've been hoping for all these years isn't going to happen. I need to start f

lization is a bitt

make those mental adjustments and stop thinking about the possibility of an us and start concentrating on me. She's

ave to,