Who We Have

Chapter 16

“You got it?” she asked.

“Yeah, I got it,” he replied.

Adam carried the suitcase by its handle and he rushed up onto the porch to put it with the other one. Andy took out her backpack and closed the boot of the car, walking up the steps. They looked at each other for a moment. He smiled at her and she returned it with a nervous one.

“It’s going to be just fine, you’ll see,” he told her. He rubbed her back gently and she nodded, which gave him the ‘ok’. Adam knocked on the door and opened it wide. “Hello?” he called out, but there was no answer. He pulled in one of the suitcases, the heavier one, and Andy tried to pull in the other. Adam ended up helping her anyway.

“Are they home?” she asked.

“They should be,” he replied. “Mum?” he yelled, grinning at Andy’s expression towards his volume. They heard an inaudible response from somewhere in the house. “Yeah, at least she’s home.”

“That’s brilliant,” Andy grinned, closing the door behind them.

“What is?” he asked.

“You coming in like you never left, it already feels like you’re home,” she told him.

“We’re home,” he smiled.

Andy was going to answer, but instead, she felt a rush of joy in his words and she smiled.

In love. He didn’t just like her very much, he didn’t simply love the way she was, he was in love with her. The term was almost foreign to Andy, and she couldn’t exactly tell what it was that she felt towards it, but it was very good. She stared at him, baffled, and suddenly, there was naught in the world but them, and the returning rain. Her heart began racing and she felt the grand urge to kiss him, so she did.

From the negligence she had felt in past relationships or dates, and even from family, she couldn’t express the joy she felt in being loved. It was different than platonic love.

“Adam!” they heard, and turned to the source. A woman appeared from a doorway and immediately went to Adam, hugging him dearly.

“It’s so good to see you, mum,” said Adam, smiling widely.

“Oh, I’ve missed you,” she replied.

“Mum,” Adam pulled away and brought Andy closer, “This is Andrea.”

“I’ve heard wonderful things about you,” she told Andy, hugging her as well.

“It’s great to finally meet you, Mrs. Coyle,” said Andy, smiling. Adam could see her nervousness, and he couldn’t help but smile at it.

“Oh, call me Mary,” she pulled away.

Mary had a very significant motherly look, and Adam had her eyes. Her hair was short and brown, but it had grey strands at the top.

“Please, make yourself at home, you’re no guest here,” said Mary.

“Oh, thank you,” said Andy, unable to contain her smile. She was fidgeting with her fingers a lot.

“Of course!” she replied, and then looked at Adam. “Your father’s in the shed, dear. Why don’t you pop in and say hello?”

“Yeah, let me just take our things to the room,” he told her. “Where’s Lilly?”

“Oh, probably outside with dad. Also, you both will have to share a room if your friend’s joining us, Adam,” said Mary.

“I figured,” he replied, taking the handle of one of the suitcases, readying himself to carry it.