Michael's Story

Chapter 41

ONE MONTH LATER

Junie calmly awaited at the door. She stood there just inches away from the deep, dark wood, setting her eyes where she predicted her mother's face would be revealed. The passage of time had worn on her patience.

Steadily, she curled her fingers into her palm and prepared to knock again. Suddenly, the hefty door was yanked back. Piercing through Junie was the agony festering in her mother's glossy pupils. Junie resisted frowning. Instead, she trudged inside as they both shifted their gazes.

Nostalgia for her childhood nestled in Junie's heart with a savoring look around the living area. She quietly accepted that it was her last time in the home she'd grown up in. Although life in Southlawn was far from perfect, everlasting memories were made there.

"You could always stay." Ree said in a hushed tone, "I'd like it better if you stayed."

Junie's mouth jerked into a soft smile, "I wish I could." She looked back at her mother.

"You can."

Switching her body around, Junie looked directly into Ree's eyes, "Can I say something to you... Out of love?"

Ree bobbed her head meaningfully, "Anything."

"You should've left Southlawn a long time ago. And you don't need to be here now. I'm leaving, but it's bitter-sweet because I wish you were leaving, too." Junie said.

Ree chuckled under her breath, "I'll be fine. I've been fine this entire time."

"You're not. None of us were."

Ree settled into the truth. She tucked her chin and squeezed her eyes shut. Digging the pad of her thumb into the discreet tear hanging from her lashes, Ree found it in her to accept that what Junie said was factual. Sadness evoked Ree's shaky exhale. Junie took a firm step forward.

"And I learned that it's okay to not have everything figured out. It's okay to be sad. But, it makes things worse when you avoid and pretend. That's all we ever did: avoid, pretend. And I don't want that anymore. Not for you, Jaya, Elijah, or me."

"Alright... You're right, Junie." Ree threw her hands up.

"I'm not saying this to make you feel bad." Junie took another firm step forward, "I'm saying this because I wanna help. Michael wants to help. But I don't want him to help if you don't want to be helped."

Ree dropped her arms and furrowed her brows, "You think I wanna sit around here forever? Do you think I never wanted better for myself or my kids? I wanted to be happy, too. I had a family to keep together. So, in my mind, it was my happiness or my family's. You know which one I chose." Ree thrusted her finger towards Junie.

"And you don't have to do that anymore. I'll help Jaya and Elijah. But what about you? What's your plan? Stay here because it's all you know? Or live?"

Ree scoffed and shook her head at Junie. Her worried eyes were still on her daughter while she pondered the proposal. In an instant, Ree's eyes swelled with tears as she came to a conclusion.

Getting into Michael's car, Junie pulled the door shut. Dipping into her seat, she puffed out a tuft of air. Reminding Junie that he was present, Michael affectionately rested his hand on Junie's forearm.

"She said no?" He asked.

Pressing her tongue into her cheek to keep from smiling, Junie said, "The opposite, actually."

A genuine smile broke out on Michael's face, "For real?"

Junie began chuckling, "It shocked me, too. It almost turned into an argument, but she thought about it for a second. I think she's a little scared, though."