Not a Reunion

Chapter 31

Mason

Saying goodbye is hard.

When I said goodbye to my parents six years ago, it wasn't nearly as hard as this. The last time I left, I packed up my things and went away, never to look back. That didn't quite work out for me, as I helped my parents with their living situation and gave them money to survive off of. They had probably chosen alcohol over food, but the fact that they were still alive told me they hadn't spent all my money on alcohol.

I had signed my parents up for a nursing home last night. I had left my information where I could be reached, and to my surprise, I got a call back this morning. So I went over to the center and admitted my parents. I hadn't gone back to my home to wait for my parents to be escorted out, but now I didn't feel the guilt of leaving. I was leaving my parents in the hands of good people who would take care of them. When I mentioned the fact that I live in another state, not to mention halfway around the country, and the fact that my parents had been drinking since I was fourteen, they took them. The people were kind enough to let my parents in, and I knew that I had paid a great amount of money, but that was okay. At least someone would stop my parents from destroying their lives. I was told that I shouldn't be wasting my money on my parents, but this was a good idea. It was going toward their health.

I knew that I wouldn't ever gain the unconditional love of my parents, but that was okay. I had grieved the loss of their love and of my brother at the same time. I was going to be fine. I didn't need them anyway. I just couldn't let them go.

I hadn't said goodbye to them, but I knew that I didn't need to. I did, however, need to say goodbye to the three kids, who were just balls of energy. They were so happy, and I lived in their positivity for the last few days.

I head down and out to see where the box of things I had ordered came from. Once I have the box, I set it on the coffee table and look at the couch. "Who wants presents?" I shout out loud as I tap the box. All of their eyes drifted off of the episode that was ending and toward me. I watched as all of them moved off the couch and took a seat on the floor in front of it.

"Presents?" Harry asks with a look shared with his siblings. "We get presents?"

"Sure do," I answer as I make sure to smile at all of them. The kids are beaming, and if all it took was to spend twenty dollars at the local grocery store to make people smile this hard, then this was worth it. I'd waste twenty dollars every day then. I clear my throat and then look down at the box.

"Close your eyes." I instruct them with a smile. They all continue to give me their big eyes, and I shake my head and move my hands over to their faces. I start with Thomas, who only giggles when I move my hand down his face, then Harry, who was laughing as well. Then I move on to Natalie, who has already closed her eyes, and I laugh. "You're very awesome, Princess Nat."

That makes her giggle as she closes her eyes harder. I laugh as I move toward the box. Opening it up, I look at the contents inside. Then I take out the items and place them in front of the kids. I then guide their hands one at a time to their respective gifts and then whisper, "Open your eyes."

All of them open their eyes as fast as they can, and I laugh knowing that at least one of them is already looking. It was Thomas, and I had given him a little tickle, but I had given him a free chance. He was too young to understand why I had them close their eyes anyway.

I watch their mouths agape when they take in the items I had bought them. What surprises me is that before they even grab for their items, all of them hop onto their feet and walk toward me. I'm confused as the three kids throw their arms over me one at a time. I have a smile plastered on my face as they all leave with a kiss on my cheek.