Chapter 3: Happy 24th!

The alarm was going off as Hunter and Harrison were reluctant to wake up. Their door flung open as Papaw shouts, “Get your asses out of the bed already!” Both brothers flew up out of the bed as Papaw shuts the door laughing.

“I really hate when he does that”, Hunter said irritated by being woken up. “Agreed, but it is our 24^th birthday”, Harrison replied as he got out of bed, his cock bouncing as he stood up, teasing Hunter even more to stay in bed with him.

Hunter rested his head for just a moment before Harrison threw a shirt at him, “Get up, baby”. Hunter mumbled while grabbing the shirt and getting out of bed. The two got dressed heading down the stairs they saw their worst nightmare, Aunt Martha, or at least her obvious bright pink purse.

“Oh my god, Aunt Martha”, both Hunter and Harrison said as they approached the foyer.

Hunter followed Harrison’s lead as they saw Aunt Martha and her wild hat sitting on the couch talking to Mamaw. She was eccentric in her style, often seen in obnoxious hats, bright pink clothing and oddly enough, black heels. Papaw would often joke that before Martha became crazy, she was fashions worst nightmare working in the field. Harrison would joke stating she is still fashions worst nightmare.

“Oh boys! It’s good to see you”, Aunt Martha yelled in a high pitch voice rushing over to hug the brothers. “It’s ... uh ... you’re here!”, Hunter said stumbling for the right word. Harrison chuckled as Aunt Martha then focused on him. “I bet you boys are just excited to be 18”, she said smiling. “Uh, we are 24”, Hunter said as Harrison attempted to escape. “That’s great, dear”, she replied then continuing to converse with Mamaw who was looking desperately at us like, “Help me”.

Hunter and Harrison walked towards the kitchen where Papaw was sitting in his usual spot at the small table in the center of the kitchen. “Hiding from Aunt Martha, right?” Harrison joked. “You’re damn right. Bitch is hysterical with that crazy hat”, Papaw said laughing. Aunt Martha was always a unique person who was in all truth, crazy, but not clinically, at least not that we knew.

Hunter sat down with Papaw as Harrison poured a cup of coffee for himself and his now fiancé. “Papaw, did you need a fresh cup?” Harrison asked as he put the second cup down on the counter. “Naw, already have some”, he replied as he sipped his coffee. Harrison walked over to Hunter handing him his cup of coffee and kissed him.

“Y’all know your grandparents are coming right?”, Papaw chuckled while taking a sip from his coffee. Hunter and Harrison both paused before Hunter spoke, “Lovely.” Papaw laughed while replying, “Just be more clothed this time. Last time I had to explain the two of you were doing laundry and rough housing”, he stated as Harrison asked, “They so couldn’t have bought that”, he laughed as Papaw nodded.

“It’ll be a year since they died next Wednesday”, a stillness passed as Hunter spoke. Papaw took a sip from his coffee as Harrison held Hunter. The death of Hunter and Harrison’s parents hit hardest for Hunter as he didn’t leave his room or socialize for nearly a month after their death. It took Harrison, Mamaw and Papaw many months of love and patience to help their wayward grandson find his way back from sorrow.

“I can’t believe it has been that long”, Hunter said crying while Harrison was holding him. Papaw stood up walking towards his grandsons and gently placed his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. Hunter looked up at a smiling Papaw who had a tear in his eye. He walked towards the foyer as Hunter recalled that night.

Almost a year ago, Hunter and Harrison’s parents were on their way back from a major tech convention. A bad storm was ravaging the country as they took the long country road back home. It was told to the family it seems their parents lost control of their vehicle, flipping the car before rolling down the side of a mountain.

Hunter dried his eyes as Harrison kept holding him. Harrison took his hand gently under Hunter’s chin, directing Hunter’s lips to his own. The two shared a deep kiss as Hunter felt the world just disappear. This kiss saved him more than once and continued to do so for him.

“Hunter? Harrison? Your grandparents are here!”, Mamaw shouted from the living room. “Okay”, the brothers said while bracing themselves for more Aunt Martha and the possible awkwardness from their other grandparents. “I need to splash water on my face”, Hunter stated as Harrison nodded. They kissed as they walked out from the kitchen.

Harrison walked into the living room as Hunter went the opposite way towards the bathroom. “Hey grandma and grandpa”, Harrison said as his grandparents stood from the couch and hugged him. “When are you gonna wear that sweater, your aunt made you?”, Grandma asked him as Aunt Martha nodded in agreement. “Uh- “, he paused, “Never?” Aunt Martha gasped in shock as Papaw laughed. Mamaw elbowed Papaw in the side as he let out a grunt.

Hunter walked into the silent room as Papaw was holding his side, “Do I want to know?”, he asked as Harrison walked over towards him. “Her ugly sweater again”, he replied as he kissed Hunter. Their grandparents watched in a shocked look as Papaw could not contain his sarcasm, “Hard to believe this is more shocking than what she is wearing”, he said as he pointed towards Aunt Martha who gasped, turning away from him. Mamaw nailed Papaw’s ribs a second time, but it was worth it.

“So ... How have you been?”, Hunter asked his grandparents as he turned toward their direction on the couch. “Good. It’s uh ... good to see you boys again”, their grandmother said as their grandfather added, “Clothed this time too”. Hunter shook his head, “We’ll never live that one down”, he said as Papaw interrupted their conversation, “Who wouldn’t with that material”, Mamaw gave him a look, “You want in the hospital, George? Keep it up”. Mamaw said as she turned towards him.

“This is fun”, Harrison said sarcastically at Hunter, “Loads”, he replied as Harrison cracked a joke, “That’s later”, he smirked at Hunter as they playfully pushed each other.

Hunter and Harrison noticed that their grandparents were distracted talking to Aunt Martha and Mamaw, Papaw was inching towards his cane to make an escape. “My sentiments exactly”, Harrison told Hunter nudging him to look at Papaw. The two laughed as Aunt Martha asked curiously, “What’s funny?” Hunter stood there as Harrison took charge, “This porn we watched last night, the guy put his dic- “, he was interrupted by Mamaw, “And that’s enough, so, Martha, how is your garden?”, she asked as she motioned for them to stop.

“Guess it was not that funny then”, the two said simultaneously as they walked backwards towards the foyer. Mamaw was engaged in conversation as Papaw got up and walked towards the two. Papaw pulled a joint from his jacket pocket and nodded for the brothers to follow him.

“Thank you”, Hunter said to Papaw as he followed him down the hall past the kitchen and towards the back yard. “You’re welcome”, Papaw quickly replied as he opened the door leading to the patio. The patio was a medium size patio with six chairs that faced in a circular form in the center area, with two chairs under an umbrella and table. Papaw sat at the table where Harrison sat just towards Papaw’s left and Hunter to the left of Harrison, facing Papaw.

Papaw lit the joint, taking in a big inhale before passing the joint to Harrison, he let out a big exhale as smoke filled the air. Hunter noticed it was getting darker out and wondered when they were heading out to eat.

“Did Mamaw mention when we are heading out?”, Hunter asked as Harrison, coughing from his hit, passed the joint to Hunter. “About 5:30, I think. It gets pretty dark fast don’t it”, Papaw replied and noted his mutual recognition of the darkening skies. “Shit, that was strong”, Harrison added as he let up from his coughing, “Noob”, Papaw said under his breath while chuckling. Harrison glared at him as Hunter looked down at the now almost out joint, “You need to take a hit before it goes out”, Papaw said as Hunter took a hit.

Hunter coughed loudly as he passed the joint back over to his grandpa. “Surrounded by newbies, this is definitely not the good ol’ days”, Papaw said taking the joint and a hit from it. “Funny, Papaw”, Harrison said as he looked towards Hunter.