Train Wreck

Chapter Nine: I know they say you can't go home again

I know they say you can't go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma'am, I know you don't know me from Adam
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine

The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert

*unedited* (word count:)

Audriana

Everything seems cold and calculated this morning. From the time I stepped foot on the tarmac to leave New York to now as I stand on the gravel driveway of my grandparent's property. Matteo was not mentally there with me. He had something going on, but I didn't dare ask. I'll get Gio to fill me in.

The walk is fine but I make it just fine. The weeping willows cover the many vehicles in the yard. Laughter and chatter fill the house making it feel warm and welcoming. I go inside as quietly as I can.

Mamaw and Papaw sit in their chairs as my aunts and uncles sit on the other furniture. There are no kids to be found. I lean against the doorway of the living room waiting for them to notice me.

"Have you seen Erin, lately?" Mamaw asks.

"No, but I heard they paid off their debts and are looking for houses down here," M'Lydia, my dad's sister, replies.

"What about the twins? Are they just going to leave them up there or bring them down here? Audriana is an architect up there. I don't know what Alex does," Papaw replies. "He has a kid and is married now."

"Summer told me the other day that Audriana got shot three times," Tripp, my dad's older brother, changes the subject. "She didn't go into detail, but she did say that she has a boyfriend and that she's making a full recovery."

"Who shot her? Are they in jail?" Papaw asks.

"She didn't say," Tripp replies.

"They are very secretive," Mamaw replies.

"You should invite them down for a week," M'Lydia chimes in.

"All the grandkids have gone off and started new lives. I don't want to bother them," Mamaw replies.

"You wouldn't bother me," I reply.

They snap their heads toward me. A big smile etched its way across my Mamaw's face as she stands up. She walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. Everyone else just stares at me with blank faces.

"How long have you been standing there?" Mamaw asks.

"A while," I reply.

"Tripp, take her bags up to her room," Mamaw instructs Tripp as she pulls away from me.

She grabs my hand with her small one and drags me to the couch. I sit down as everyone continues to stare at me. Jolie, my dad's oldest sister, rolls her eyes before shifting in her seat.

"What happened to your face?" Jolie asks.

"Jolie Ann!" Mamaw yells.

"It's okay, Mamaw," I reply. "I was attacked."

"First you were shot and now you've been attacked?" M'Lydia asks.

"Guinevere shot me three times because I took AJ away from her and Alex. They were cooking meth in the apartment we were staying in," I reply. "As for my face, this guy decided to cut my face open."

"Who is your boyfriend? Why isn't he here?" Jolie asks.

"He is in New York taking care of some business," I reply. "I don't know how long I will be here."