Finally Home

45. Samantha

I woke up with sun streaming in my eyes. I opened them, looked around and smiled. I was in California. At Uncle B and Aunt Sarah's house. In Jess's old room. And I could still feel her presence. Like someone was there making sure I was okay and comfortable.

I stretched and yawned before pushing back the blanket and getting up to use the bathroom. I saw a note on the desk as I stood up.

'Good morning amazing niece,

You crashed hard after dinner. Hopefully you slept well and you didn't need anything before bed, like medication?

We called your Mom and Dad for you so they knew you were safe and sound and asleep.

Feel free to take a shower when you wake up if you want. Towels are in the closet in the bathroom, as you know.

Feel free to hang out downstairs if we aren't awake when you get up.

So glad you're here!

Love,

Uncle B and Aunt Sarah'

I smiled. I really felt like I had two homes. Because I really felt so comfortable here.

I went into the bathroom after digging through my duffle bag for my toiletries, and took a quick shower, did my hair and then dug through my bag for something to wear. I pulled out some fleece shorts and a t-shirt. I grabbed a hoodie, just in case I wanted one.

In my backpack I had my Switch and a book I was reading. I grabbed both and headed downstairs. I wanted to sit in the living room, in the sun. It was so bright and cozy there.

I went downstairs and was almost immediately attacked by Penny Lane and Bogart.

"Well, they're happy to see you!" Uncle B said, coming in from outside. He came over and gave me a hug.

"How did you sleep?" He asked.

I looked up at him.

"Did I sleep? One minute I was in your car, the next, it was sunny," I smiled at him.

"Brat," he said, ruffling my hair. "Hungry?"

"A little," I shrugged. "I'm not sure my stomach has woken up yet."

Uncle B laughed.

"I didn't know what to do with your crutch. I left it by the front door," he said.

"That's fine," I said. "I only need it for long walks, really. Or rough terrain. I can walk without it as long as I'm not going too far."

"That's awesome! You're doing that much better?"

I nodded as Uncle B handed me a cup of coffee.

I sat at the breakfast bar and we chatted a little while deciding on what to have for breakfast.

"Let's go out," he said. "Sarah should be up soon. We can go to a diner or IHOP."

"Okay," I shrugged.

"Now, I don't make it a habit of going through people's bags, but I did yours because I knew you needed to put insulin in the fridge. So don't be mad."

I laughed.

"Oh no. You may have come across my plans for world domination!"

"I was wondering what that notebook with the title 'Plans for World Domination' was all about."

We laughed. I love joking around with Uncle B.

"What's got you two already in gales of laughter?"

"I found Sam's plans for world domination when I got her insulin out of her bag to put in the fridge," Uncle B said.

"Oh, really?" Aunt Sarah asked. "Where do we fit in?"

"Indentured servitude, obviously," I said.

"Well, sounds like we at least survive the initial phase," Uncle B said.

We all laughed.

"I thought we could go out for breakfast," Uncle B said to Aunt Sarah.

"Sounds like a plan. Let me just go grab a jacket or something."

"You might want to change into jeans," Uncle B said. "It's warmer here than Ohio, but it's only about 68° outside."

"Okay," I said, and went upstairs and changed into jeans.

Once I was downstairs, we left. I grabbed my crutch because my leg was starting to bug me.

"All good?" Aunt Sarah asked, looking at my crutch.

"Yeah. My leg gets tired pretty easily, so it's better to have it and not really need it than to not have it at all."

"Fair point," Uncle B said, as he opened the car door. "In you go."

I climbed into the car and we headed out.

We drove for about twenty minutes, closer to the downtown area and Uncle B pulled into an IHOP.

"You good with IHOP?" He asked.

"Yep," I smiled.

We got out of the car and headed inside. It was pretty busy for this time of day, but we got a table pretty quickly. Our waitress was really nice and brought us coffees.

"Is this your daughter? She's got your eyes," she said to Aunt Sarah.

"Oh, thanks. No. She's our niece. She's visiting from Ohio for her Christmas break."

"How nice! Enjoy your visit."

"Thank you," I said.

I looked at the menu and when I looked up, Aunt Sarah was staring at me with just the slightest hint of tears in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said, her voice catching for a second. "I was just thinking about Jess. She had eyes as blue as yours. Maybe not quite as blue but pretty striking. Your eyes are gorgeous."

I blushed and looked at the menu again, even though I knew what I wanted.

The waitress came back and we placed our orders. I bolused my insulin and we waited.

We talked about the past semester at school, basketball, music, my friends and my family.

I popped a quick text off to Dad since I knew he worried more for some reason. Mom seemed more... level headed? At least, she seemed sure I would be home. Unless, of course, I could convince them to move to California in the next week.

I smirked to myself.

"Why do you look like the cat who ate the canary?" Uncle B asked.

"The what who did what now? You ask the weirdest questions," I said.

"You're smirking. Why are you smirking? Are you really planning on world domination? Are you starting with the IHOPs?"

I couldn't help but laugh.