I hadn't been back home since I left home for college. I still spoke to my mom occasionally, but I hadn't seen her in years. I felt I had to attain success before going back because if I don't, I may never make it out again. I love my family, but it had been hard since my dad died. I promised him I would make him proud and take care of the family, and I couldn't do that at home. My mom begged me to come home this year, and to my utmost surprise, I said yes even before my brain processed it. I kept telling myself I had just missed her too much.
The blizzard intensified and I tried to find a place to wait until it passed so I could go home. I parked my car in front of the only café shop opened in town on Christmas Eve. Most people here would rather spend it with family and friends and not in a café with strangers. I stepped out into the cold night and walked through the thick blanket of snow to the front door. I had just closed from work when the news reporter announced the blizzard, not before I left the damn building. Now I was stuck.
I entered the building, and bells jingle above me. I even spot a mistletoe on the door. Great. It is not that I didn't like Christmas. I just hadn't had a good one in a while. The holidays to me meant more work.
It was much warmer inside. The building was packed, which may have added to the heat. The only seat left was beside a woman with her little boy and a man. I take off my coat, revealing my white-washed jeans and pink sweater, and take my seat.
"I'll have hot chocolate," I say when the woman behind the counter asks. I took out my phone and sent a quick text to my mom, telling her I'll be late. The drink arrived in a reindeer cup, and I murmured a thank you and took a sip. There were marshmallows inside, and I think I tasted peppermint. The man next to me had a cup in the palm of his hands and stared off into space in serious thought. I couldn't help checking him out; he was quite handsome. Ten notifications and all from my mom. "Where are you? ". "You promised". "We haven't seen you in years". "Are you at work? ""Are you OK? " I rolled my eyes at how persistent my mom was. I already felt bad; she didn't need to make me feel more guilty.
I don't remember what started our conversation, but I remember wishing I could talk to him for days.
"I'm Carlos," He said, and I told him mine was Juliet.
"Like Romeo and Juliet" He smiled, and I smiled back. "My parents loved the name, and it has nothing to do with the book about star crossed lovers."
We talked until the storm passed, and he ended up walking me to my home. ( I had to leave the car). He stayed and had dinner with my family. I let him walk away after, but I had his number, and deep down, I knew I would never call. I have never allowed myself to be happy. My family needed me, and the best way I knew how to succeed and support them was without distractions.
The next day was what I'd call an eye-opener. My mom ended up sobbing in my arms, but she was happy, my sister was married now with a child, and my brother was now in college. I sat at the table with them, and we talked about all the things we missed doing together and our new lives. And that night, I cried for the first time since he died. They were making dad proud but still managed to be together; I couldn't. Everyone had moved on without me.
I don't know how but I ended up in my old treehouse, but there I was, staring at the sunrise. My sister found me there. We sat in silence for a while before I broke it with an apology. She hugged me and said, "You were my best friend, and then you left and never looked back. That was your mistake. You are letting life pass you by, and you don't even realise it. You need to breathe, stop and smell the roses. She handed me my phone, "Call him."
And I did—one of the best decisions I've made in a long time.
