SNOW CHECK

I went to sleep knowing that overnight we were going to be having our first snowfall of the season. The weather forecasters had predicted 2 to 3 inches so I really wasn’t concerned.

When I woke up the next morning and went to my bedroom window to take a peek, I let out a long sigh.

Instead of the predicted 2 to 3 inches, we got triple that. “Oh great.” I grumbled as I grabbed my robe off the foot of our bed and went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.

My son Alex was already in the kitchen. “It’s pretty.” He said as he pointed to our backyard.

He wasn’t wrong.

Tying my robe I looked out the kitchen window and could see that all the limbs on the bushes and trees were still covered in snow. I could hear the neighborhood kids already outside playing. Their laughter almost making it hard to still be upset about what the day ahead looked like for me.

Almost.

“I hate shoveling snow.” I said as I opened the cabinet and reached for my tea cup.

My husband Steven came into the kitchen already dressed for the weather. “I’m going out to start up the snowblower.”

“We’ll be out in a minute to help shovel the sidewalks.” I began filling the kettle with water. “Oh, wait a minute!” I cried. “We have lunch plans with Kathy and her daughter Rikki!”

Steven pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll text Rikki and let her know we’ll have to reschedule.”

“Tell her we’ll need a snow check.” I laughed as I put the kettle on the stove. “You know, it’s like a rain check only with snow!”

Steven shook his head. “I got it.”

Several moments later Steven’s phone chirped, “Rikki says that we can just push it back to dinner instead of lunch.” He looked over at me, his eyes wide.

“Ah. That’s so sweet.” I said with a laugh. “She doesn’t think of us as old.”

Alex looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Rikki actually thinks we can dig ourselves out and still want to do something beside lay on the couch for the rest of the day and share a tube of Bengay!” I couldn’t help but laugh. “That really is sweet.”

Steven shook his head and held up his phone. “So what do you want me to text back to her?”

“The truth!” I said dropping a tea bag in my cup. “We’re old, we’ll be doing physical labor for about an hour, maybe two and that’s all we can manage for today.” I began pouring the hot water into my cup. “Oh, and don’t forget to asked for a snow check!” I laughed. “I’m really starting to like that phrase.”

“I’m not saying snow check.” Steven said as he began texting back.

“Ah, you’re no fun.” I laughed. “I’d watch out or you might get a snowball thrown at you while you’re snow blowing!”

“See?” Alex said. “You’re not that old if you’re talking about having a snowball fight.”

FEEDING FAIL

“I had such high hopes.” I said with a sigh as I looked out my kitchen window to our backyard.

My son Alex came up next to me. “What are you talking about?”

I pointed to the split open pumpkin laying at the edge of our woods. “I thought they’d be thrilled to have that as a treat.” I picked up my cup of tea from the counter and took a sip.

“Really?” Alex said with a laugh.

I leaned against the counter top. “I had this whole scene in my head when I put it out there instead of throwing it to the curb.”

“What scene was in your head?” Alex asked as he went over and began fixing his coffee.

“Well, now it’s just going to sound silly if I tell you.” I said taking another sip from my cup.

“Try me.” Alex picked up kettle and walked over to the sink.

“Okay, but you have to promise not to laugh.”

Alex shook his head. “Sorry, but that’s not a promise I can keep.” He began filling the kettle with water.

“Fine.” I sighed. “So, you know that scene in Snow White where she’s in the forest and all the animals are around her?”

Alex looked over at me, his brow furrowed. “Yeah.” He turned off the water and walked over to the stove.

“That’s what I pictured when I put the pumpkin out there.” I looked back out the window. “I thought I’d see birds and squirrels and a few deer surrounding it taking little nibbles.”

Alex nodded his head as he turned on the burner. “That’s what you pictured?”

“I really did!” I took another sip of tea. “I thought that we might even see the fox that’s been around a few times.” I sighed again. “But instead it’s turned into a major feeding fail.”

“Well,” Alex leaned against the counter waiting for the water to boil. “It’s certainly not your first feeding fail.”

“What are you talking about?” I opened the dishwasher to put my cup in.

“What about the peanut butter pine cone a few weeks ago?”

“Oh yeah.” I said as I closed the dishwasher and leaned back against the counter. “I forgot about that.”

“And last summer when you put the suet feeder out and all the fat melted all over the ground?”

“I forgot about that one, too.” I sighed again.

“And what about….”

“Okay! I get it.” I said cutting him off. “Clearly your memory is much better than mine.” I headed to the front hall closet and grabbed my coat. Putting it on I went back in the kitchen and grabbed a garbage bag from the drawer. Shaking it open, I walked over to the back door. “I guess it’s time to admit they don’t want the pumpkin.”

“Sorry it didn’t work out the way you hoped it would.” Alex called after me.

“It’s fine.” I grumbled as I grabbed the container of birdseed that was at the back door. “No more fun treats for you guys!” I called out to the woods. “You’re only getting birdseed from now on!”

FRONT DOOR FIASCO

My son, Alex and I were going to go for a walk when I stopped in the foyer and wondered out loud. “Do you think I’m going to need a coat?”

Alex went to check the outdoor thermometer which was outside the dining room window while I decided it would just be easier to open the front door and step out for a second.

When Alex came back he saw me in the open doorway, swinging my arms above my head.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

“Checking to see how cold it is.” I’d stopped swinging my arms and was now moving my head from side to side before coming back in the house and closing the door.

“I mean why were you swinging your arms around over your head?” Alex asked before he went into the living room and look out the front window. “Did any of the neighbors see you?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I was swinging my arms because I thought a bug was trying to get in the house but halfway though I thought maybe it wasn’t a bug after all and I was watching one of my floaters moving around in my eye.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess I did look a little strange, huh?”

“A little strange!” Alex looked out the front window again. “If a neighbor was watching, the only thing they saw was a confused woman standing in the doorway swinging her arms around before stepping back inside and closing the door.”

“Well, when you say it that way…” I walked over to the front hall closet and took out a jacket. “At least I found out I could use a jacket for our walk.”

Alex grabbed his coat and put it on before heading to the back door.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“I’m not walking out the front door now.”

“Oh, come on!” I laughed. “No one saw me.”

I headed for the front door.

“You don’t know that.” He reminded me.

“Now you’re just being silly.” I opened the front door and saw our neighbors across the street standing on their front porch looking over at me. I waved and then closed the door and backed away. Putting my hand up to my mouth I looked over at Alex. “Do you think they saw me waving my arms around like a crazy person?”

Alex stood there shaking his head. “Let’s just assume the answer is yes.”

“Great.” I sighed. “Now the neighbors think I’m crazy.”

Alex didn’t say anything.

“Isn’t this where you’re suppose to be telling me that’s not true?” I asked.

Alex didn’t answer me but opened the back door. “You go out first and I’ll meet you at the corner in a few minutes.”

I started to laugh. “Thanks for making me feel better.” I said as I walked by him and swatted his arm with my hand.

“Anytime.” He said as he walked out with me and closed the door behind him. “Besides I’m pretty sure they already know you’re a little strange. I mean we’ve all seen you talking to the birds and chipmunks in the back yard.”

“Hey!” I said laughing as I swatted him again. “That’s not fair!”

“But it’s true.” He reminded me.

I sighed as I looked around the corner of the house to see if the neighbors were still outside. “The coast is clear.” I announced before we started our walk.

MAGIC PURSE

My husband Steven and our son Alex and I were having lunch with some friends at a local restaurant.

As the server handed us our menus I reached in my purse to get my reading glasses. As my hand swept the inside of my bag I felt a small container and pulled it out. I saw that it was an empty container of fish food. Surprised, but not really, I shrugged my shoulders placed it on the table and continued my search for my glasses.

Alex looked over at the container of fish food and leaned over to whisper, “Why do you have fish food in your purse?”

I stopped my search for a moment. “It’s empty.” I said as if this were enough of an explanation.

“Okay.” Alex said. “But why?”

“Because we needed more fish food and I wanted to be sure I got the right brand so I brought the empty container with me when I went to the pet store.”

Alex scooped up the empty container and looked over at our friends to see if they had noticed. “We got him his food three weeks ago.” He whispered before he dropped it back in my purse.

“Hey!” I whispered back, my hand still in my purse. “I’m trying to find my glasses! Quit throwing stuff back in!” I took the fish food container back out but placed it in my lap along with several balled up receipts, my checkbook, and some gift cards. “Oh, come on!” I said under my breath. “They’ve got to be in here.” I pulled out a small bottle of hand sanitizer, looked over at Alex and smiled as I put it on the table. “We’ll be using this in a minute.”

Alex just shook his head as he picked up his menu and leaned closer to me. “Do you want me to read you your choices?”

I stubbornly shook my head. “I know they’re in here.”

Steven looked over at the pile of things in my lap. “What are you doing?” He asked.

“I’m looking for my reading glasses.” I pulled out my sunglasses. “Darn it. I thought I had them this time!” I stuck them in my lap.

“Maybe you should clean that out when you get home.” Steven suggested.

I shook my head. “I like to think that it’s more like Mary Poppins’ carpetbag. I might not be sure what I’m going to find in here but I’m pretty sure I’ll be needing it.” I reached in the side pocket and felt another pair of glasses. “Here they are!” I put them on the table, took everything from my lap and dumped it back in my purse.

“Mary Poppins’ carpetbag.” Steven repeated as he shook his head and laughed.

“I’d watch out if I were you.” I warned. “I just might have my own measuring tape in here.”

“So you’re saying it would measure you at practically perfect in every way?” He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, that’s a given.” I reminded him as I raised my eyebrows and looked over at him. “I’d be more worried about what it would say about you.” Alex was scanning his menu but shaking his head as he listened to Steven’s and my conversation.

Putting on my readers I picked up my menu and began checking out my choices. “I’m having a hard time deciding. Everything on the menu sound good.” I looked across the table at our friends who had graciously pretended they hadn’t overheard our whole conversation. “Have you decided what you’re going to have?”

CHEF’S KISS

I was walking up our front steps, arms loaded down with bags of groceries when my husband Steven opened the front door.

“Are there more bags in the car?” He asked as he stepped aside to let me walk past him so I could get to the kitchen.

“There sure are!” I said as I struggled to place them on the counter-top. I began unloading the bags, getting the frozen foods into the freezer.

A few moments later Steven came back. “Wow!” He said as he placed the bags on the counter-top. “There’s still more out in the car.”

“It was a pretty big shopping day.” I agreed. “Got a lot of the Thanksgiving stuff.”

“Really?” Steven peeked in one of the bags. “But that’s not until next week.” He said as he headed back out to the car for more bags.

I just shook my head as I pulled some canned goods from the bags and put them in the pantry. “I don’t think he has any idea how much planning goes into Thanksgiving.” I said under my breath as Steven came back in with more bags.

“Did you say something?” He asked as he looked around the counter-top looking for someplace to put the bags.

I quickly cleared my voice as I shook my head. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Okay. Well, this is all of them.” When he didn’t see any room on the counter-top, he placed them on the floor. He bent down and pulled out the milk and cold cuts from one of the bags. “Did you get everything you need for Thanksgiving?” He asked as he headed to the refrigerator.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Nope. This is just the beginning.” I went back into a bag and pulled out bags of dried stuffing mix. “I don’t buy the sausage, apples, mushrooms or onions that go into my stuffing until a few days before Thanksgiving.” I tossed the stuffing bags into the pantry.

“I guess that’s a good idea.” Steven said as he put a box of crackers away.

“Thanks.” I couldn’t help but smile. “I know I’ve been making Thanksgiving dinner for years but I have to admit I’m always a little worried I’ll mess something up.”

“Really?” Steven looked surprised. “When have you ever messed up a Thanksgiving?”

I had to shutter. “Don’t you remember the year I pulled the turkey out of the oven too soon and it was still a little pink?”

Steven looked confused. “I don’t remember that at all.”

I sighed. “Well, that’s good. But it still happened.”

“You worry too much.” Steven said as he walked over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Thanksgiving is going to be amazing.”

“I hope so.” I folded up the empty bag and starting unloading the next one.

“Instead of thinking about a dinner that’s going to happen next week let’s talk about what we’re going to have for dinner tonight.”

“Oh no!” I peeked in the bag. “I was so busy thinking about the Thanksgiving list that I completely forgot about getting something for dinner tonight!”

“Really?” Steven looked concerned.

“No.” I looked over and smiled at him as I pulled a package of chicken from the bag. Placing it on the counter I walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “But now who’s the one who worries too much?” I asked.

ALWAYS THE WRONG LINE

My son Alex and I had stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things which of course turned into a half filled cart instead.

As we headed to the checkout lines I began scanning for potential problems. “Okay, not this one.” I whispered. “The check out person has an ‘in training’ badge on.” I shook my head. “I’m all for giving people time to learn their job but not today and not with me.”

We moved to the next lane.

“Nope, not this one either.” I decided.

“What’s wrong with this one?” Alex asked as he looked at the people in the line.

“Didn’t you see the senior bus out front?” I shook my head again. “Well, here’s four of them checking out together.” I pushed the cart further down. “This is a big outing for them. They’ll be visiting with the cashier like there’s not one waiting behind them.”

Alex was shaking his head and laughing. “Why don’t we do the self checkout then?”

I looked in the cart and quickly counted. “Too many items.” I stated.

“Well, what if I took half the cart and you took the other half? We split up and both go through the self check out.”

I thought about that for a moment but when I turned around and saw the line waiting for a self checkout machine to be available I shook my head. “Still not fast enough.” I decided.

I finally saw a lane where there were only two people waiting. Both of their carts were only half filled like ours. “This is the one!” I said with confidence as I got on line.

As the first cart was checking out the person right in front of us turned and looked at me. “Excuse me.” She said.

I’d been busy looking through the bin of books next to me when Alex nudged me.

I looked up.

“I’m sorry but I forgot something. Do you mind watching my cart while I run and grab it?”

Now in my head I was saying ‘Nope. Take your cart and finish your shopping just like all the rest of us did.’ But instead I smiled and said, “Sure.”

“Thanks.” She said scurrying away.

I looked over at Alex. “How does this always happen to me? I always seem to pick the wrong line!”

Alex laughed as he shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, I thought you were going to tell her no.”

“I actually thought about it for a second.” I admitted.

He patted me on the shoulder. “Well then I’m very proud of you holding back your real thoughts.”

“I’m trying.” I said with a sigh as I looked over to where she’d headed seeing if she’d be returning soon.

I could see the woman in the front of our line was almost done filling her bags and was ready to pay.

I looked at the abandoned cart in front of me and looked at Alex.

“No.” He said as he shook his head. “You can’t move her cart and get in front of her.”

“But…” I looked around and still couldn’t see her coming.

“Nope.” He was still shaking his head.

I sighed as I leaned against the cart. “Why is it I always pick the wrong line?” I complained.

Alex patted me on the shoulder again and laughed. “It seems to be your super power.”

HOMEMADE BIRD FEEDER

I was in the kitchen unloading the dishwasher while my son Alex was standing next to me spreading peanut butter on some crackers.

“We literally just finished dinner.” I said as I opened the cabinet to put the clean glasses away. “I can’t believe you’re still hungry!”

“I’m not hungry for more pot roast. I’m hungry for some peanut butter crackers now.” He laughed as he licked the knife before tossing it in the sink. He stopped for a moment. “This peanut butter tastes burnt.” He said as he looked down at the crackers sitting on a paper towel.

“Didn’t you just open the jar?” I looked over at the jar of natural peanut butter that was sitting on the counter-top.

Alex nodded as he balled up the paper towel, with the crackers in the middle, and headed for the garbage. “It happens sometimes with the natural peanut butter.” He sighed as he tossed the paper towel in the trash. “Well, that was a waste.”

“Don’t throw it away!” I grabbed the lid and screwed it back on the jar before putting it aside. “I’ll feed it to the birds.”

Alex looked confused. “How are you going to do that?”

“Easy.” I said as I grabbed a handful of silverware and headed for the drawer. “I’ll spread it on a pine cone and hang it up in a tree.”

“They’ll eat burnt peanut butter?” He asked as he went over to the cabinet to find another snack.

“They’ll love it!” I said with complete confidence.

When I was finished with the dishes I found a pine cone and began spreading it with the peanut butter. Tying a string around the top I took it outside and hung it from a tree branch. Standing back, hands on my hips I watched it swaying in the breeze. “Well, you look terrible but they’re going to love it.”

A week later I was looking out the window at our back yard when Alex came up beside me.

“What are you looking at?” He asked.

“The birds haven’t touched the peanut butter bird feeder.” I looked over at him. “I was absolutely positive they would love it.”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe they would have if it had regular peanut butter and not that burnt stuff.”

“It wasn’t that burnt.” I argued.

“Really?” Alex pointed out in the yard. “You weren’t the one who tasted it.”

“Well, I’m not tasting it now!” I laughed. “It’s been swinging from a tree for a week!”

Alex shrugged his shoulders again. “Maybe you’ll trust me the next time I say somethings bad.”

“You always think something tastes bad.” I reminded him.

He pointed out to the back yard again. “Looks like I was right about the peanut butter.”

I went to the drawer and took out a pair of scissors. “I guess it’s time to cut it down.” I sighed as I headed to the back door.

“Why don’t you leave it on the ground to see if the chipmunks won’t eat it either?” Alex suggested.

“Nope.” I held up the scissors. “It’s going in the garbage now.”

“Exactly where it should have gone a week ago!” Alex laughed.

BURST OF COLOR

“Isn’t it beautiful out?” I said to my husband Steven as he and I were driving down the road. The reds, oranges and yellow colors of the leaves were even more intense against the crystal blue cloudless sky. “I don’t think I’ve seen a prettier fall in a long time!”

“Yeah, it’s pretty.” Steven agreed with little enthusiasm in his voice.

I looked over at him. “You don’t seem very thrilled.” I said. “What’s wrong?”

“In order to get this beautiful fall you have to have a cool, wet spring and summer.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Okay. Maybe it was a little wet but look…” I pointed out my window. “Ta-da!”

“I wasn’t saying ta-da when I was fighting root rot and our garden wasn’t giving us many tomatoes this summer.” He grumbled.

“True.” I nodded my head. “We did have a freezer full of sauce the year before. In fact, we had so much that it almost got us through the whole winter.”

“That sure didn’t happen this year.” He reminded me.

“Yeah.” I sighed. “I think I only got a half dozen containers of sauce this year. The way we go through it that’s not even going to be enough for two months.”

“Exactly.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I can still make a good sauce with canned tomatoes.” I was trying to make him feel better when we were about to pass a tree that was so orange it almost didn’t look real. I was just about ready to point it out to him when he continued.

“I also wasn’t saying ta-da when we only got a handful of potatoes, either.”

“But the few we got were delicious!” I tried to be upbeat.

“You weren’t the one fighting root rot and fungus all summer long.”

“Okay, you’re right.” I finally agreed. “It was a terrible year for our garden.”

“On the other hand, we did get a lot of green peppers.” He reminded me. “So that was good.”

“I’ve already got them sauteed with onions and in the freezer ready for whatever we want to put them in!” I added.

He looked over at me. “Did I tell you I picked another basket full yesterday?”

“Really?” I looked confused. “I didn’t see them on the counter. Where’d you put them?”

Steven thought for a moment. “Either I left them on the table in the garden or I might have left them on the back porch.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll check when we get home.”

I looked over at him and smiled. “See? The garden wasn’t a complete bust this year. So can we get back to enjoying this beautiful fall weather and these gorgeous trees?”

“Sure.” He said as we continued down the highway.

Several minutes later… “You know a few rainstorms and all these…”

“STOP!” I cried looking over at him. “Are you kidding me?”

Steven started to laugh. “You’re so easy to tease.”

“How have we stayed married for so long?” I was shaking my head.

“Because I make you laugh.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “That’s why.”

THAT’S A GOOD BOX

Our doorbell rang and Steven went to answer it. “Thank you!” I heard him call as he came back inside holding a package.

“Who’s it for?” I asked.

“Me.” He said as he put the box on the counter top and reached in the drawer to get a knife and slit open the top.

“That’s a good size box.” I remarked as I came over to see what he’d purchased.

“I guess.” He took out a spool of wire.

“What’s that for?” I watched him inspect it before putting it back in the box and closing the lid.

“It’s for a client.” He picked up the box and went over to the dining room table.

“Are you going to keep that box?”

Steven shrugged his shoulders. “I’m keeping it long enough to bring it over to my client’s house tomorrow. Why?”

“Well, when you give it to them can you bring the box back?” I asked as I went over to inspect the box making sure there weren’t any tears or ding’s in the cardboard.

“Why do you want this box?” He looked confused.

“Not just that box but all different size boxes.” I said. “I never know what size I’ll need when it comes time to wrap all the Christmas presents.”

“Christmas!” Steven shook his head and laughed. “It’s still October! Why are we talking about Christmas already?”

“I think about Christmas year round!” I explained. “But it’s around this time of year that I start thinking about wrapping and that means it’s time to start collecting boxes.”

“Well, I’m not sure I’ll be bringing this one back.” Steven said as he started to laugh. “I can’t bring it to my client’s house and then ask them if I can keep the box.”

“Okay, maybe not this one then but just remember from now until Christmas I’m going to need to see any of the boxes brought into the house before you start breaking them down for recycling.”

“Hey,” Our son Alex said as he came into the room. “What are you two up to?” He asked as he opened the cabinet and took out a box of crackers.

“We’re discussing boxes.” I said.

Alex laughed as he reached in the cracker box and pulled out a cracker. “That sounds like an interesting discussion.” He took a bite.

“Mom wants us to save all the boxes that come into the house from now until Christmas.” Steven said as he pushed the box with the wire in it further down the dining room table.

“Why?” Alex asked as he leaned against the counter and reached in for another cracker.

“Because I’ll need them to wrap all the Christmas presents in.” I explained.

“So you want us to save all the boxes from now until Christmas?” Alex asked.

“Exactly.”

Alex took the empty waxed paper liner from the cracker box went over to the trash can and threw it away and handed me the empty cracker box. “Here you go.” He said.

“I didn’t mean old food boxes.” I said with a laugh as I took the box and started to break it down for the recycling bin. “I’m not wrapping anyone’s Christmas present in an old cracker box.”

“Hey,” Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I was just trying to help.” He went back to the cabinet and took out a new box of crackers and held it up. “I was thinking that in about a week or so I’d have another one ready for you.”

“You know there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a present wrapped in a cracker box now.” I said with a laugh.

“I’d be okay with that.” He said as he popped another cracker in his mouth.

CHARLIE BROWN PUMPKINS

“What’s wrong with all the pumpkins on the front steps?” My husband Steven asked as he walked in the front door.

“What do you mean, ‘What’s wrong with them’?” I asked.

“They look like they’re melting.” He laughed.

“They’re a little misshapen.” I agreed. “But that’s what makes them so beautiful.” I smiled as I walked into the kitchen to start dinner.

“Misshapen is a good word for them.” He called as he hung his coat in the front closet then came into the kitchen. “Didn’t they have any good ones?”

“See? That’s exactly what everyone at the grocery store was thinking as they were digging through the pumpkin bin.” I pulled out a pot and started filling it with water. “Everyone was looking for the perfectly round, unblemished one.” I put the pot on the stove and turned on the burner. “But not me! I like rooting for the underdog.”

“In pumpkins?” Steven said with a laugh as he got a glass out and went to the sink to get some water.

“Exactly!” I said as I went to the refrigerator and pulled out the sauce I’d made from our garden tomatoes. “Everything deserves to be loved.”

“Are we still talking about pumpkins?” Steven leaned against the counter taking a sip from his glass as I poured the sauce into a pot.

“Yes, we’re still talking about pumpkins.” I went back to the refrigerator to pull out the fixings for a salad. “Those pumpkins worked just as hard as the perfect pumpkins to grow into the best they could be when they were out in the field.” I put the lettuce, carrots and celery along with a red pepper on the counter and grabbed a cutting board from the shelf. “They deserve a home where they can be displayed and feel appreciated this season.”

“So we’re going to be the house with the ‘Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree’ pumpkins?”

“Absolutely.” I began cutting up the lettuce. “I think they’re beautiful just the way they are.”

Our son Alex came into the kitchen.

“Did you go to the grocery store with Mom today?” Steven asked him.

“Yeah. I was there.” Alex opened up the refrigerator and looked inside. “I needed to pick up a few things.”

“So you helped pick out those pumpkins?” He asked.

Alex looked over at me as I was slowly shaking my head no.

“What’s going on with you two?” Steven asked.

“Mom didn’t tell you?” Alex closed the refrigerator door.

“Tell me what?”

“Those were the last three pumpkins on the shelf.” Alex looked over at me and laughed. “She said she didn’t feel like stopping at another store to find better ones so she took those.”

Steven looked over at me shaking his head. “That seems more like it.” He said with a laugh as he put his glass on the counter. “You almost had me believing you were rooting for the underdog of pumpkins.”

I gave Alex a stern look. “You know what they say about snitches?” I reminded him.

“That they get ugly pumpkins on their front steps?” Alex laughed.

I shrugged my shoulders and nodded my head. “That’s true, too!”