5 Year Journey Home

Chapter 1

It was only as he made the right turn into town and saw the two lane road, the bank, and the gas station did it hit him. After five long years he was home.

He made the less than half mile drive though the town, passing the local bar whose parking lot always seemed to be filled to the brim with cars no matter what time of time was. As he turned right at the railroad tracks, a faded yellow house came into view. He pulled into the driveway, and got out. His eyes went to the white painted​ garage door that was now chipped and faded, and rusted trunk that was far older than him sat in the driveway. He made his way to the backdoor, and knocked. Mumbling was heard but a few seconds later the door opened.

The man that answered the door was a little over 6 feet with long white hair and matching beard. his once blue eye had lost shine with age.

"Hey Dad"  The  man with a small smile.

"Sam"  The father said. There was silence for a few moments. "What a beer?" The father asked.

Sam's response was a smile as he entered the house.  

A few minutes later the two were sitting in the back yard, each nursing a bottle.

"Why are you back son?" The father asked taking a sip

"I heard through the grapevine that you had surgery. They had to remove a kidney? I couldn't let you recover alone. Even if Sara and the others live in walking distance." Sam said

The father let out a chuckle, "Your gone five years and little old me brings you back home. I thought I was part of the reason why you left."

Sam sighed, "It wasn't just you dad-" He bowed his head, "Do you remember in freshmen year? My woodshop class?" The father nodded. "I worked on that damn lamp for hours in the garage, and then you came in and finished the thing in 15 minutes? It was then I realized that we love each other dad, but we would never understand  each other. When I decided to leave I still thought that way."

"That doesn't change the fact son that you ran son, you barley left a damn note. You just took your mothers insurance money and left. Where did you go anyway?" The father asked

Sam gave a soft smile, "To Ireland, One way trip of course. When I got off the plane I made my way to a small town called Straw. When I arrived I made my way to the local pub, and met the local bartender, and she took petty on me. She gave me a room to stay in if I helped out around the bar. But long story short we got married two years ago. Here I have pictures." Sam said grabbing his cell phone.

After swiping a few times he showed his father a picture of himself with t brown eyes and beard smiling next to a woman with shoulder length brown hair and green eyes.

"Her name is Callie and in another bit of news your going to be a Grandfather." Sam finished with a smile.

"How far along is she?"

"About 3 months, I going to pick her up tomorrow."

The father raised an eyebrow, "She's coming here?"

"Yeah she wants to meet my family."  

"Speaking of family you your going to have answer there questions, especially  from your Aunt. "

Sam's eyes widened "I never thought about that."

The father playfully smacked his sons back and laughed as he made his way to the door.

"Your room is how you left it, oh and son welcome back home." His father said as he entered the house.

Sam smiled as he finished the rest of his beer. He was indeed home.