Ryder Vega left everything behind, including 2 best friends and his whole childhood, when he left his home town of Bridgewater.
Now back, after 3 years, and wanting to graduate with his old friends, Ryder realises not much has changed except for one...
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I grinned as the taxi passed the whitewashed stone sign. My eyes roamed around, drinking in the greenery of the surrounding forest as the suburban neighbourhood came into view. Nothing changed over the years. The McVerns still had the tire swing tied to the oak tree on their property, there were initials signed in the cement pavement when it was re-done 4 years ago and that the tree which looked like Mount Crumpit still swayed in the breeze.
"This is the place," the taxi driver came to a stop in front of a pale yellow three story house. A wave of nostalgia hit me as I got out. How many times have I barged right through the door with muddy thugs? Or the time I fell off the banister pretending I was on a tight rope. I smiled going through my memories before hearing the man grunt as he lifted my suitcase.
"Sorry," I took it easily from him and placed it on the sidewalk. I paid him the fare and a little bit extra for his trouble. I watched as the yellow taxi pulled away before facing the house. I shouldered my bag and trudged up the familiar driveway.
Memories danced before my eyes. Mira-Jean, Chase and I playing tag on the front lawn, climbing the tree and not knowing how to come down, the endless water fights in the summer. This entire place was filled with memories. I took a deep breath as I stopped in front the door.
It was a bit surreal that after 3 years of virtually no contact the Hammonds were willing to let me stay with them for my senior year. I guess our moms kept in touch. I swallowed lightly before knocking on the door. I tapped my foot lightly and was so deep in thought that I didn't hear the door open.
"Oh my God! Ryder Vega is that you?" I was pulled into hug by Mary Hammond. Mary was an ex-model who left the industry when her management pressured her to engage in unhealthy practices. Now she worked at the rehab centre in the next town helping people recovering from eating disorders. For a woman in her 40s she was strong enough to cause my 6'0" frame to stagger.
I grinned and hugged her, "Hi Mrs Hammond."
"Look at you! You've grown so tall and handsome!" I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck as the woman with brown eyes and brown hair assessed me. I pulled my suitcase in as she pulled me inside.
The living room was just as I remembered just but there were more picture frames showing he Hammonds' anniversaries, Chase's birthday, family pictures. I looked at everything as Mrs Hammond ushered me to a seat.
"You must be starving," she said, immediately dishing out heaps of mashed potato, a grilled chicken breast and vegetables for me.
I knew better than to refuse. I sat down at the table listening as Mrs Hammond filled me in on what has been happening in the Hammond family. Mr Hammond's reputation as a lawyer had grown so much that he had to start his own firm and hire graduate attorneys to help him cope with the number of cases. The rehab centre where she worked also was given international praise about their facilities, programmes, staff and their success rate.
