Broken Home

Chapter 8

I haul my luggage down the hall. I hear footsteps behind me and Evan takes my luggage out of my hands, he carries it with ease. I pull out my phone and text Amanda

Leaving in 10 minutes to airport, I'll be there in 3 hours.

Evan appears in the hallway. His hair is swept up and his eyes are like clouds of grey and blue right before a storm. I care too much, I think to myself.

"Your stuff is in the car, I'll drive you." He murmurs

We sit in the car in silence, I could feel the nervousness in the air. It was consuming me, I couldn't think straight, all of my memories of Seattle jumble together.

Evan stops the car, I don't even notice that we have arrived at the airport. My breathing is panicked and quick. My heart races, I get a little dizzy as I step out of the car. Evan grabs my baggage and walks ahead of me, I follow him. I focus on the smaller details of him, his tanned skin against his navy blue t-shirt and his lean legs in his tight black skinny jeans stand out. At the nape of his neck a tattoo date in roman numerals, his brown hair isn't long enough to cover it. I was surprised that I had never noticed the tattoo on his neck, he didn't have any other tattoos  I was aware of. 

He stops suddenly, he turns and looks at me. His eyebrows knit together, the concern is overwhelming. I try to hold his gaze, but the tears start to form and I look away and walk to the gate check. I feel Evan's lanky presence next to me. I slide off my shoes and put them in bins along with my phone and keys. My hands shake as I turn around to face Evan. I feel my stomach lurch as I remember a memory from Seattle. His eyes are wide with fear, surely reflecting my facial expression. A lump forms in my throat I can't speak or breathe.

"C-call me as soon as you get there. Okay?" His voice cracks it wasn't the usual smooth luxurious tone that I've gotten used to.

I manage to nod, I look up into his cloudy indigo eyes.

I murmur a quiet "Goodbye Evan."

I turn before I did something stupid. I walk through the security gate, not brave enough to look back.

* * * * * * * * * * *

I grab my bags from the overflowing baggage claim. I push my way through the sappy reunions and dramatic departures and make my way outside. The cool Seattle breeze blows my hair into a mess. I wave down a taxi, an aging man helps me with my luggage. I stumble into the stuffy taxi hiding from the wind and the memories.

The man looks into the rearview mirror "Where to miss?"

I throw a piece of paper with the address along with two twenty dollar bills. We don't exchange another word while we exit the busy airport. I peer out the window and see familiar streets and buildings. The sky is a dark gray, small droplets of rain come down. Not a single person in summer apparel, which reminds me of California and Evan. I yank my phone out of my pocket and turn off airplane mode. I click on Evan's contact and put my phone to my ear. He picks up on the first ring.

His voice is filled with urgency. "Hello."

"Hi," I feel like I can breathe again.

"You have no idea how glad I am to hear from you. I was worried." He breathes out loudly.

My heart flutters, and I squeeze my thighs together "Oh."

"How is it? Are you hom-there?" He corrects himself quickly.

I look out the window again "It's the same, no I'm not there yet. I'm in a taxi but I'm getting close."

A silence follows for a couple of seconds.

"I miss you Andy." His voice sweetly breathtaking.

My pitch changes "I-I miss you too Evan."

I can feel his crooked smile through the phone. I can almost see his eyes sparkle with amusement. The taxi driver slows to a stop and I see my childhood home.

"I-I've got to go. Don't burn the house down." I attempt to joke.

"Call me when you can." He exhales.

I hang up and step out of the car. I swallow back my fear and roll my bags up the familiar walkway. I knock on the dark oak door and hold my breath. I hear footsteps getting closer to the door. Amanda swings open the door, her wavy blonde hair is in a messy bun. Her soft baby blue eyes are now an electric blue framed with eyeliner and mascara. She smiles broadly but her smile hides her emotions. I hug her tight, we stand out in the cold. She smells just like I remember, a homely smell with a hint of smoke and alcohol. 
Amanda's voice cracks the safe silence "Come on in."

I walk in and look for my mom's signature ponytail. Instead I see bottles of alcohol littering the ground. I feel a lump form in my throat. Amanda walks up the stairs not bothering to look around, as if this is an average day. What the hell happened, where is my mom? I open the door to my room, I look around and see that everything has been left untouched. I set down my bags, Amanda sits on the edge of my bed. She stares at my bags, her expression is blank.

I sit next to her "Amanda what the hell happened?"

She looks up at me, her eyes watering. "She's insane. She won't stop drinking and I never see her anymore unless I go downstairs in the middle of night. She doesn't hit me or anything but she's just-just empty."

"H-how are you Bear?" I ask shaking.

She shudders. "I don't know. I think I'm okay. I go out with friends, but sometimes when I go to their house their parents are all in love and happy. When I get home, I get so pissed off that she's like this and my father is a jackass."

I grab Amanda's hand and squeeze tight.

"I know how you feel. I'm gonna do everything I can to make this shit situation better okay?"

She stays silent but squeezes back and rests her head on my shoulder.