My Broken YOU

Home is not where the heart is

The sun shines on what could be a bad day. I stare at the small, dark blue, ranch-style home as my anxiety rises. The car pulls into the driveway, making my shoulders tense up and my heart pump a little harder.

There's nothing wrong with seeing my parents. I'm excited to see them. But there is everything wrong with my father meeting Mason. My dad has always been a strict man. He's loving and would give his shirt off his back to help almost anyone. He's a great man. But I am his only child; he wants the best for me. Just the thought of me living in Providence bothers him but he knows it's for the best. But Mason? My dad has never been okay with the 'bad boys' around here. And Mason is the poster child of 'bad boys'.

My throat burns with a knot that I cannot swallow. It's stuck in there, like a golf ball blocking a vacuum cleaner hose. I'm not dying but it feels close enough. My fingers feel numb as Mason intertwines his with them. My eyes wander around the yard while Ava gently presses her hand on my shoulder. I'm scared as hell.

"What business did your dad have in Crescent City?" I ask Mason, trying to deter the thoughts about what my dad is going to think. "This town doesn't offer much."

"It offers more than you know." He says, opening the door and getting out. "My dad is an investor and he found at least three investments. Oh, and he'd love to meet with your parents for dinner today if they are free."

"One thing at a time!" I say, stepping out of the car and feeling the sun hit me. "Let's have them meet you first, then we can discuss dinner with your father. If my dad doesn't die of a heart attack after meeting the man I fell in love with."

"Are you okay?" Ava questions as she shuts the car door. "You look a little..."

"Nervous?" I question and the word rattles out of me. "I am. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas and that's okay, but I'm about to have them meet someone I fell in love with. Someone I am praying my father will be okay with."

"We are here with you." She says, pressing her hand against my back and trying to force me closer to the door, guiding me while I want to fight with her hand and run off.

I inhale a long and deep breath as my fingers wrap around the doorknob. I slowly open the door; the smell of lilacs fills my nose as I step inside. "Mom? Dad?" The small living room is empty. The dining room is empty. I'm so used to my dad sitting in his rocking chair watching a football game with every chance he can. "Their car is here, so they might be in the backyard. Follow me."

Mason's sigh tells me he is nervous even if he doesn't want to admit it. Ava looks excited. And I am ready to go back to the hotel room. I'm ready to go anywhere but here. 

"Hello?" I yell again. "Anyone home?"

"Is that my daughter!" My mother's voice shrieks with excitement from the kitchen. "Madison, is that you?" 

She walks through the doorway. Her smile is wide. Her radiant face is still younger than ever. Her dark brown hair and hazel eyes fill my heart as she walks in.

"Yes, mom!" I say and open my arms up as she stares at me in shock. "I've missed you and Dad! My boyfriend's dad had some business here and I flew out with them!"

"Boyfriend!" She sounds ecstatic as she yells and analyzes him from head to toe. I can see her look of approval and I breathe a sigh of relief. One parent down, one more to go. "A good-looking boyfriend at that. Providence is hiding all the good-looking men."

I chuckle. "It's more than that. but I'd love to sit you two down to explain better." 

"Mark!" She calls out my father's name. "There is one giant surprise in our dining room!"