Driving back home every summer sucks. Everything about this city reminds me of why the hell I ran away in the first place. I had a life back at college. Friends, a perfect apartment, I needed that life to escape. At home, I’m Stacy Valentina. No one knows me. No one cares to know me. If I had a choice I’d stay at NHU. The only thing I’m missing at college is my family. And now, they need me more than ever. As I was pulling into my neighborhood, I noticed a new house directly across from mine. Brown, red door, nothing special. I pulled up to my house, got out and ran inside. Swinging the door open I fell into my mother’s arms. She was kissing my forehead and squeezing my body like she hasn’t seen me years. The house looks different. Almost like my mom had a yard sale and sold everything insight.
“I missed you.” Her voice broke into my thoughts. I was having a hard time putting together what could have happened to our home.
“I missed you too.”
Her body released mine and a sob escaped her. Before I could ask for her to fill me in on the latest Valentina drama I noticed no one else was home for my arrival.
“Where is everyone?”
She started walking to the kitchen as I followed. One shaky, hand picked up a glass and started to do the dishes.
“Everyone should be back soon. They all missed you so much. Sadie hasn’t stopped talking about you and well, Kate”--she let out another sob and then continued--”she hasn’t been able to say much.” Sadie and Kate are my younger sisters. It doesn’t look good for them leaving this hell hole anytime soon. Especially, since Kate started feeling sick. My family’s been in and out of the hospital with her. Poor girl has stage II breast cancer. If I could trade places with her I would. She was diagnosed two months ago and I’m guessing has started chemo by the sound of my mother’s voice. I just hugged her again and gave her another kiss on the cheek and went upstairs to my room. When the rest of my family gets home I know they’ll have so much to talk about I should at least unpack and get ready.
As I was hanging up my clothes in color coordinated order and doing the same with my underwear the doorbell rang and snapped me out of my ocd tirade, and I went to see if my mom has answered it already. My mom was no where to be found. I looked at the door and then into the mirror on my right. After the four hour drive home I’m not ready to talk or reminisce with anyone right now. Hopefully, it’s a neighbor returning one of my three dogs or someone dropping something off and making it quick.
The surprise hit me the second the door opened just a crack. I was expecting to hurry whoever was there off, but once my eyes met this tall, well fit body I couldn’t help but stare.
“Uh, hi, I’m Archer. Uh, I’m new in the neighborhood. To you at least. Your mom’s at my house and told me to come over and see if you needed any help?”
One. What would I need help with. And, two. I feel very uncomfortable, but I like it. Did my mom think a stranger would make me feel more at home? Is she crazy or is it because he’s so attractive she knows I’d make something up just for him to stay longer.
“Are you okay?” He giggled noticing I still haven’t taken my eyes off his chest. He must think I’m stupid. I’m at a loss for words.
“Yeah, I, um, could use some help, thank you. Come in.”
