A Trip in the Fall Pt. 02 by SnowboardJack,SnowboardJack

“Put these back in your pocket, I don’t have any.”

Brandon put the panties in his pocket, helped Sarah fold the blanket up and they walked back to the house holding hands and talking about the beautiful weather.

Ch. 11-Monday and Tuesday

Monday

Monday was uneventful. Sarah took Mia to school and stayed to volunteer in her classroom, it helped that a friend from high school was the teacher. While she was volunteering, Brandon spent some time with Jim, mending fences on the property and clearing brush. It gave them a chance to get to know each other more. As they wound down and headed back to the house for lunch, they climbed into Jim’s truck, Jim said, “Brandon, thank you.”

Thinking he was talking about the work, Brandon said, “No problem, it’s the same type of stuff I normally do at my parents, will probably have some trees to deal with when I get back on Wednesday night.”

“Not about that. Well, I appreciate your help with that, but I’m talking about Sarah.”

“What do you mean?”

“Obviously, you knew I was skeptical about you when we met but your answers Friday night impressed me. Getting to know you and seeing how you interact with her and with the rest of my family, shows that you can walk the walk and talk the talk. I really appreciate it, that’s all.”

He extended his hand, Brandon shook it, “You’re welcome. Thank you for welcoming me into your home for the past few days. It’s going to be hard to leave the warmth and sun, when I talked to my dad last night he said they were expecting snow, already had 2 hard frosts.”

Jim laughed as he put the truck in gear, “Better you than me.”

Tuesday

Brandon woke Tuesday morning to the thoughts of his last day in Mississippi before heading back north. He and Sarah ate breakfast with her mom before heading into town to pick up a couple of things and Sarah had a chance to show Brandon around a bit. As they finished the tour, Brandon remarked, “It reminds me of the town closest to where I’m from.”

Sarah smiled, “It’s not much, but it’s home. Speaking of your hometown, tell me about it.”

“There’s not much really to see or talk about. Just a small town of less than 1000 people, so everyone knows everyone. Couple of restaurants…OH! We did just get a Dollar General a year or so ago. I went to school about 20 minutes away at the county seat and that’s about it. It is one of the darkest places in the US, no light pollution.”

Sarah nodded, “Sounds like a colder version of here.”

Brandon laughed as they pulled back into her parents driveway, “Pretty much. I was telling your dad that my parents are expecting snow tomorrow night, I’ll see if I can beat it.”

As Brandon put the car in park, Sarah reached over, put her hand on his and said, “What would you think about me coming with you when you leave tomorrow?”

“What are you talking about? You just got home after a four month tour and Thursday is Thanksgiving, don’t you want to spend it at home?”

Sarah smiled, “I know but you have spent the last four days here with me, and I saw all my family Saturday, I want to meet your family.”

Brandon didn’t know what to say, silence had fallen over that when Sarah said quietly, “If you’re not ready for that, I understand.”

“No no, it’s not that at all! It’s just unexpected and what about your parents, I think your dad likes me and I don’t wanna ruin that now.”

Sarah laughed, “I talked to Daddy last night. He encouraged me to talk to you about it.”

“If your parents are good with it, I will double check with my parents.”

***

Brandon and Sarah went inside where Brandon called his parents. They were excited to meet Sarah, especially after Brandon’s sister had seen pictures from the show on Friday pop up online.

Brandon went downstairs and told Sarah and her parents what his parents said. Sarah smiled, “What time does the flight leave tomorrow?”

Brandon pulled up confirmation on his phone, “Leave Biloxi at 12:30 central, get into Newark at 4:30 eastern.”

Sarah picked up her iPad off the table and began typing, about five minutes later she looked up and said, “Done.”

Brandon and her parents looked at her, finally her dad said, “What’d you find?”

“I found a ticket on the same flight, it’s in business class, I’m sure I can swap it with someone when we get there.”

Brandon smiled at her and her parents, “Are you sure you want to go? It’s going to be cold and snowy?”

“Well I’ve never seen snow, so that and meeting your family will be a real adventure.

Ch. 12-Wednesday

After waking up and packing their things, Brandon and Sarah packed up Brandon’s rental and began to get ready to head to the airport. As they walked out, Sarah hung back talking with her mother while Brandon and Jim carried Sarah’s suitcase and her backpack out to the rental. Jim looked at Brandon, “Thanks again for being a decent guy, if I ever have the opportunity to thank you parents, I’ll thank them too.”

Brandon laughed, “No pressure right?”

Jim laughed as Susan and Sarah walked up, Sarah looked at the two, smiled and said, “Well I’m glad to see you too are getting along.”

Brandon smiled, “I dunno if I’d go that far, respect and fear go a long way.”

Jim shook Brandon’s hand, “Well you two better get on your way, don’t want to be late.” Brandon hugged Sarah’s mom and climbed into the Bronco while Sarah said goodbye.

As they pulled out of the drive, Susan yelled, “Text us updates!” They both waved and headed down the roads towards Biloxi.

The ride to the airport was uneventful, Brandon got the rental returned while Sarah pulled on an oversized Ole Miss hoody and tucked her hair into a ball cap, hoping to avoid any attention. They checked their bags and made it through security and to their gate with about a half hour until boarding. While Brandon grabbed them something to drink, Sarah spoke to the gate attendant and was able to switch her ticket over to a coach seat.

As boarding began, Brandon returned, “All good on seats?”

“Yep, we are good to go, I’m now in the seat beside you, I got the window.”

Brandon got a shocked look on his face, “No fair!”

Sarah playfully shoved him as they stood to board with their group. They got to their seats, stowed their bags, and got comfortable as the flight took off.

***

A little over three hours later they touched down in Newark, gathered their backpacks, and headed towards baggage claim. As they walked up the jet way, Sarah shivered a bit, “Okay when the pilot 48, I didn’t think it would feel this bad.”

Brandon laughed as he put his arm around her, “Just wait, the high at mom and dads is only 38 today and it’s going to snow tonight.”

“Okay, maybe I should have waited to meet them in the spring or summer.”

They laughed as they made it to the baggage claim, collected their bags and headed towards the shuttle. Before they stepped outside, Sarah dug through her suitcase, pulling out a blue North Face puffer coat. Brandon laughed, “You’re going to stick out like a sore thumb, no one own’s North Face except tourists, going to have to get you a Carhartt.”

Sarah slapped Brandon’s arm, “It was all I had that was warm enough. I already have a long sleeve under my hoody!”

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