Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Aunt Maddy motioned them to get out of the exit area, and Pad realized he forgot to acknowledge David. “Hi, David. Thanks for coming.” David offered his hand, and they shook. Both Aunt Maddy and David, retired teachers, had evolved into a resemblance, like brother and sister, short and heavy. David’s hair thinned on top to almost no hair except for the sides, and his aunt’s round face framed by a silver pageboy haircut that thinned in the back.

“How was your flight?”

“Good. Did you arrange for Jen and Jack to be here?”

“Ah, No. That’s your aunt. You ready to go grab something to eat, after we get your bags?”

“Sure—’’

“Oh my God, don’t say McDonald’s!” yelled Jack.

Pad laughed. “Nothing wrong with that.”

Aunt Maddy cut in. “Well, Pad gets to choose since this is his little homecoming.”

“How about Pizza Hut?” Pad asked.

Both Jen and Jack shook their heads in mock disgust.

“Pizza Hut, it is then,” David said.