folklore; conrad fisher

3: homecoming

I couldn't speak. I was absolutely stunned. This call––this moment I fantasized about for so long, it was finally happening.

I was going back to Cousin's beach.

Susannah continued, "It's a bit of a secret, but I've invited Belly to be a debutante this year. It's a huge tradition here in Cousin's beach, and it can be a lot of pressure. I figured she would want her 'older-sister' there for some support!"

I was smiling so hard my cheeks burnt, "I- I don't know what to say, of course I would absolutely be thrilled to come, but we've decided to save our Europe-vacation money for next year."

"Oh don't you worry about that. We've got you covered. The family has missed you so much, we'd do anything to see you again."

"Okay, okay! I can't believe this is happening, wow!"

"You better believe it," She said, and I could picture her with her classic Susannah smirk, "Get packing alright, I'll Venmo you the cost for the tickets so you can buy them tonight."

I thanked her profusely before hanging up on the phone. I couldn't believe any of this at all, after the longest five years of my life I now had the opportunity to go back to the only place I have ever truly called home. After all of these years, I would be able to see Steven, Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad.

Suddenly I was that same excited little six year old from so many years ago.

---

Luckily it didn't take much convincing to get my mother to allow me to stay in Cousin's for the Summer. In fact, she was in complete support of it. She knew that it would be best for me, and I would still be able to get a lot of practice on my surfboard for team nationals. I bought my tickets, spent the entire night packing, and maybe got in two to three hours of sleep before it was time to get headed to the airport for my flight.

As I was wheeling my suitcases to the door, my grandmother stopped me. She secretly handed me a small white box. I opened it and realized it contained the newest iPhone. I beamed at her and gave her a warm embrace.

"I know you and your grandpa love your vintage cameras," She said, "But try and take some good pictures for me with that. You know I can't see those grainy photos well anymore with my eyesight."

I laughed, "I promise I will, grandma."

I arrived at LAX around three in the morning. I gave my grandparents and mother a goodbye hug and got ready to board my flight. It was a six hour long ride, so I was able to get in some much needed sleep. By the time I woke up I could feel that the plane beginning to descend, and as I saw the shores of  Massachusetts from the plane window, the excitement filled me to my core. At the airport, I was able to quickly grab my luggage, and then with the remaining money I had left from Susannah, I ordered an Uber to take me from the airport to the beach house. I picked up my phone and noticed I had a missed call from Steven from the previous night. I decided against calling him back right then. I wanted to surprise him with my arrival––assuming Susannah hadn't told him yet. I figured she hadn't, or else my phone would have been blowing up with texts from the Conklins.

When the car pulled into the Fisher's driveway, I got instant deja vu. At last, it was real. I was at Cousin's. I was home.

I stepped out of the car and felt the rush of the salty air as it blew past me, blowing my hair with the wind. The smell of the ocean filled my senses, and I paused for a moment to take it all in. There it was, that Summer feeling I had been craving. I took a deep breath in, I was ready.