Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 10

ELIZABETH'S POV

I found a hotel in some shitty town in California. I hate it here. I hated it here when I lived here, but I'm a completely different person.

At the grocery store, I no longer ignore people. I talk to strangers; I strike up conversations with the waiter at restaurants, I talk to the grocery store clerk.

I got a therapist, and he's got my life back on track.

I've been gone for about two years.

Life is completely back to normal.

It's Christmas Eve. I snuck back home one night and returned Mom's truck and took the other truck that was there.

It wasn't Mom's or Dad's, and my name was the only one on the title.

It was a black ford F150 1990, it was lifted.

It was my dream truck.

I took it and left.

I felt terrible, but I felt even worse having stolen Mom's car.

I don't even recognize the old me.

I look older now, more mature. I grew up a lot since I left.

I miss my family a lot.

I miss Alex too, but mostly, I miss Ben.

I realized a week after I left that I'm in love with him.

I still am.

I've been tired of living in a hotel, so I bought a house in Decorah, and I know they probably don't want to see me, but I'm going home for Christmas, and every Christmas after that.

I'm ready.

My doctor said I'm ready.

I trust easily. I talk easily. I'm not socially awkward anymore.

I'm okay.

I'm good.

I've been driving for three days to get there. It's snowing bad in Iowa right now. It is, after all, December 24th.

I feel like my life is back on track, although I'm very nervous to go home.

I pull into the driveway, and drive the three miles.

It's recently plowed.

I drive carefully down the dirt road, and then I turn right and go down the rest of the driveway, down the hill, and I park.

There's three cars in the driveway, mine now, too, and Mom and Dad's truck in the garage.

Nervous, I shut my truck off and get out.

I have on a red long sleeve sweater, a black leather jacket, a pair of light blue skinny jeans with thick black leggings under them, and then a pair or combat boots.

It starts snowing as I get out.

I venture inside the garage, shivering.

I go into the mud room.

I don't shed any layers, because I very well could be kicked out.

I take a deep breath, and let myself into the living room.

The glass of wine in Moms hand falls to the floor and shatters, Dad's jaw drops, followed by Mrs. Slater's and Mr. Slater.

Ben looks shocked, and Alex raises his eyebrows.