Truly Free // COMPLETED

20. Reunion

Gray's head snaps up at the sound of the knocking. He shoots me a huge grin and runs to the door to let Aaron in. When he flings open the wooden door, all I see is flailing arms and legs. Bags are abandoned on the carpeted floor as the two boys practically jump at each other. I hear a slew of Oh my God-s and I missed you man-s as I stand by the brown leather couch of the Corley's living room.

Just as they get up off the floor, Gray's mom comes bounding down the stairs.

"Aaron," she says, and he looks up at her, " I haven't seen you in so long. I've missed that smile," she pulls him into a hug, causing him to smile one of the brightest smiles I've ever seen.

"I missed you, too, Mrs. Amy."

But, as soon as they pull away, Gray's dad, Shawn, comes through the door that was left open in all the excitement. Him and Aaron have a slight moment of wide-eyed staring, until Mr. Corley breaks the silence.

"You cut your hair," he states with a smile, causing the boy to jump at him. It's quite the picture, actually, a 17-year-old kid practically in the arms of a 46-year-old man. They must have quite the relationship. When Mr. Shawn looks up, he sees me standing off to the side, and lets go of Aaron.

"Well, Ridley, seems you've got one more person to meet," Mr. Shawn says with a laugh. Aaron turns around and his eyes light up like a Christmas tree.

"OH MY GOD YOU DIDN'T TELL ME THAT SHE'D BE HERE I DIDN'T THINK SHE WAS REAL!!" He exclaims, pointing a finger at me. This kid is seriously excited to be here. Gray gives me a look that says " What are you doing? Get over here."

So I do. I also get trapped in the tightest hug of my life, but that's alright.

***

There are reasons I prefer Gray's home over mine. My house is dull and quiet, losing Andrew made it more so, but it's usually like that. No one really ever talks to anyone else, my parents are off doing their own thing, and I'm there by myself a lot. But, at the Corley's, everyone is always full of life and laughter. Someone is always home and something is always cooking in the oven or on the stove. His house always smells like Pine Sol and Carpet Fresh, and I'll always love that combination.

Tonight, Mrs. Amy decides to make tacos to minimize clean up so we can all have some time together after dinner. As I sit down at the counter with two tacos, one soft and one hard, the conversation begins.

"How are you enjoying the new house," asks Aaron. Mr. Shawn answers.

"It's been nice, really. That pay raise was necessary; I don't want Amy to have to work. The neighborhood is good too. Lots of young adults with little kids. Gray met Addy on the day we moved in when he almost took off her head with Levi's tennis ball," he says, laughing. Everyone at the table cracks up, too.

"Well that's the way to do it, I guess," Aaron says, still smiling.

"He also stalked me through my window until I saw him, hopped the fence, and knocked him down," I interject.

"Ok, who blares Def Leppard at eight in the morning with their window down?" Asks Gray, defensively.

"YOU!" Aaron and I say in unison, causing the whole house to crack up again.

After dinner, we all play some card games— something the Corleys are known for. This small family is seriously competitive. Mrs. Amy wins the first, and surprisingly I win the second.

"Oh come on y'all," Gray pouts. "Can't you at least pity me and let me win?"

"Son, if we let you win, where would be the fun in watching you lose?" Mr. Shawn says sarcastically making Gray pout even more.

We play about three more rounds, Mr. Shawn winning two and Aaron winning one. Gray seriously sucks. Around ten o'clock, I decide it's time for me to head on home, so my parents don't freak out. The two boys walk me all the short way home, and we make plans to do something fun tomorrow.

These are the moments I live for. Little victories in life, when everything is okay. Things are starting to look up. If you're looking for definitions of family, love, friendship, and joy, Gray's house tonight was pretty spot on.