Page 56 of Mended Fences

Nope, I needed a distraction. I picked up my phone to see five new messages.

DAD

10-4, Son. Let me know if you need me to keep Mike and his crew in line today.

TESSA

Keep them in line? Please! You’d be having them all take a break for a game of euchre by ten.

JASPER

She’s not wrong…

MOM

If anyone should be tasked with keeping an eye on the construction crew, it’s me. I’ve managed to keep you lot in line for decades.

JASPER

Yeah, everyone except Chase

Fuck you very much, little brother.

CHASE

Hey, leave me the fuck outta this

MOM

Chase Matthew, watch your language.

CHASE

Who the hell started this group chat anyways?

CHARLIE

Me! I miss you guys. Who’s ready for me to move home?!

Charlie was wrapping up her final semester at Michigan State and would be heading home just in time for the cidery to open in June.

The texts kept rolling in.

NATALIE

ME ME ME!

TESSA

Me too!

MOM

So excited to have you home, sweetie.

CHARLIE

39 days!