These Coming Years

Chapter Two: Home

-Lisa-

"I don't know what to do," I sleepily murmured. I was very slowly waking up, wrapped in the bed sheets. Home, if I could even call it that anymore, was the first thing on my groggy mind.

Was it supposed to be appealing to me? What would drive me to that old place after all these years? Nothing. It was just a valley of dead memories, and I wanted no more of it.

The stubbornness would last a few days. Three days I spent in Rock Springs, denying my home. Denying that I wanted to go back. Finally, the third night, I was sprawled lazily on the hotel mattress. I was seconds away from giving in. My heart continued filling my head with memories of Marisol and Rudy, knowing I wanted to see them again. There was something else pulling me back home. I didn't know what it was, but I didn't care. My heart had already made the decision even if my mind hadn't.

I missed it. The place I'd grown up twice, made and lost many friends, and fallen in love for the first time twice. Convincing myself I'd never go back wasn't working.

"I guess I had to know I'd go back someday," I sighed, pulling out my phone. It only rang twice before I received an answer.

"Hey, Lis," Rudy greeted.

"Think you'll be ready for me in nine hours?" I asked. "I'm assuming it'll take me that long to get there."

"You're coming home?" he exclaimed, shocked. "Yeah, of course. It'll all be good when you get here, and I'll let Marisol know."

"See you then," I murmured.

"Yeah," he seemed to still be in disbelief. "We'll see you, Lisa." Most of my things were still packed up, so there wasn't too much preparation needed. I just pulled on some clean clothes, brushed my teeth, and splashed my face with water before hauling everything down to my car. Checking out was quick, and I was soon on my way out of the small town.

I'd decided to play CD's during my drive for fear of another song with his voice coming on without warning. Though even as I listened to my own choices, my mind kept hearing his sweet voice sing those old words. His new version flowed better than his original draft did six years ago.

I could still remember the cold nights spent in the bed of my truck. The nights we spent holding each other were never forgotten; they were simply pushed into some back corner to collect dust.

My heart wandered. I wondered what he was doing right at that moment. Was he happy? Was he with someone new? Did he ever think of me? I imagined him sitting by himself, looking down at his hands, thinking about what I might have been doing at that moment.

I doubt it, I thought to myself.

Shaking those thoughts from my head, I decided to just focus on the music and the road. I didn't need any other distractions while I was driving such a distance. Getting there in one piece was more important than those silly memories.

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-Rudy-

Marisol would be home from work in a few hours, so it gave me time to set up the guest bedroom for Lisa, and plan on how I was going to tell my wife. Marisol didn't hate Lisa at all. That wasn't the problem. I suppose it was about why Lisa left.

When all that stuff happened with Brendon, Lisa changed. It was so much more abrupt than anyone else. She was very mature, considering her struggles, but she was still naïve and quick to trust those who smiled her way. It was a beautiful thing about her, but it was also her downfall.

Once Brendon ended it with her, she became cold and reserved. She was basically an ice statue of the warm, forward girl we used to know. I treated her as I always had. I showed her that she was still my best friend, but I didn't coddle her.