Serendipity Read Online Free Page B

breakfast and try not to gag while eating. Once—just once—it would be nice for my mom to make something else.
    “Oh, and I need you to make a couple of stops today when you go into town,” my dad says, without even looking up.
    “I wasn’t planning on going into town today.” I cover my eggs with salt and pepper, hoping to give them a new flavor. I hate the taste of scrambled eggs. Ever since I was a kid, I always would use Ketchup or hot sauce but nowadays my mom is on a ‘natural’ kick to lower my dad’s cholesterol.
    “Well then change your plans. I need something from Sam’s store and I don’t feel like driving so I need you to go pick it up.”
    Seriously, I must look like a puppet to my dad. I’ve already given up so much to please him but I guess it’s not enough that I put my life on hold to take over the family farm, now I have to run his errands too?
    “Yes, sir,” I concede and choke down my food so that I can get back to work. It’s pointless to argue with him. At this rate, I’m going to be fifty years old and still answering to my dad.

    The day passes by just like any other. There are still a couple of hours before dinner so I decide to pick up whatever my dad needed before Sam’s store closes. I hop into the old white truck that we use just for farm business, turn the music up and roll down the windows. This is the most relaxed I’ve been in some time.
    Minutes later, I pull into the old plaza. Years ago, I remember coming here and there was a store in every outlet but not anymore. Now it’s just Sam’s hardware store and a small dollar store a few doors down. I don’t even waste time parking in a spot, I just park right in front of the store, along the curb and jump out. Pulling open the door, an old bell that sounds like it’s on its last leg chimes—if that’s what you want to call it.
    Sam is sitting behind the counter as if he was waiting for me. I plaster on a smile and greet him with my arm extended and shake his hand. “Look at you, Dean. Ain’t you growin’ into a fine young man? And that grip you got.” He shakes my hand and I can tell the frail old man is trying to grip as hard as he can.
    “Good to see you too, Sam. My dad said that he called in an order to you earlier?” I rest my hands on the glass showcase counter next to the register. I look around at the old, dusty store. I think it’s nearly as old as Sam is and that’s old !
    I’ve been coming to Sam’s for as long as I can remember, weekend errands always included a trip to the hardware store. Now that the bigger stores are just a few towns over and Sam’s place is becoming a little run down--okay, more than a little--he’s good people and as long as he’s around I’ll continue to give him business. I’m sure if I didn’t, my dad would have my ass.
    Sam slowly walks out of the back room with what looks like an empty plastic bag in his hand. I meet him half way and take the bag from him. I open it up and then look back at Sam inquisitively.
    “Yep, that’s all he wanted was a box of nails.” He shrugs and walks behind the counter.
    I pull my wallet out and hand him a ten dollar bill.
    He holds his hand up and refuses. “No, Dean, your dad already paid for it.”
    I sigh and put the money back in my wallet. He places his fingers on the brim of his tattered, black cowboy hat that I’ve been seeing him in for years, gives a nod and I return the gesture. When he turns to walk into the back room again, I place the money on the register.
    “Thanks Sam, I’ll see you soon.” I call out over my shoulder before leaving.
    I’m livid. Livid that my ass of a dad sent me all the way into town to get a fucking box of nails when we probably have at least twenty boxes of various sizes in the shed.
    I grumble and twist the bag into a ball. Pulling the truck door open, I toss the bag into the passenger seat and slam the door. I hit my palms against the steering wheel and curse under my breath. I can’t