Flesh and Blood

Past: Bonding Part 1

We exited the courthouse and it was like the thick and heavy air around me had lifted. I half expected doves to come pouring out of the doors behind me. I had the biggest grin on my face. I was so happy. I owed so much to my mom and dad for doing this for me. Yeah, they're still my mom and dad....they raised me. I don't hate them. I'm just a strong willed, opinionated teenager with pent up frustration...at least that's how I like to make excuses for the things I do or say. Colby met us by the car and I ran up and hugged him. He laughed and pulled me back

"Thank you Colby"

"For what?" he asked confused

"For showing me that I was wrong and putting me in my place."

He smiled at me and hugged me again.  

"You're welcome. I'm so happy for both of you. That was a really, really selfless and amazing thing the White's did for you."

I nodded and looked over at my dad. He smiled and hugged me again. I went to get in the back seat of the car and Colby stopped me and shook his head

"No, you sit up there next to your dad."

I grinned from ear to ear and sat in the passenger seat. He started to drive and I was excited to find out what we were going to be doing before going home. And what was home? Was home his house in Vegas or was there somewhere here in Indiana that we were staying? I had so many questions and so much running through my head. I didn't know what to expect and I was afraid to ask. I looked over and he looked at me and smiled. 

"What?"

"Nothing"  I quickly answered and turned my head to look out the window

"Liar. What'd you need? You looked like you had a question."

"Uh...well...I mean I have a lot of questions. Like what are we doing? Where are we going? Where is home? Why...."

He laughed "Ok wait...one at a time. What are we doing? Right now we're going to drop Colby off at the airport and then we're going to the White's so you can pack a few bags. Then we're going to drive somewhere. Where are we going? Well, I just answered part of that. Where is home? Well, I live in Las Vegas so that is home. Is that OK?"

I blushed, smiled and nodded. Going back to the White's huh? That should be "fun". I haven't been there in months. I hope they're not upset with me.  I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. I was nervous. They did an incredibly amazing thing for me today. I just hoped that they understood why I wanted this so much. We pulled up to Colby's terminal for his flight. He kissed my cheek and shook my dad's hand and got out of the car, grabbed his bags from the trunk and walked into the airport. We started driving towards my old house. I was starting to get really really nervous to have to be back in the house and to have to face them after what happened this morning. He pulled up to the front of the house and I sat staring from my seat. He started to get out when he noticed I wasn't moving

"Cassie?  Are you alright?"

I shook my head "No. I'm scared. What if they're really angry or hurt? I wasn't intentionally trying to hurt anyone. I don't know if I can do this."

He half smiled at me and put his hand on my shoulder. I looked over at him and half smiled back

"You worry too much. Your mom used to do the same thing. You're just here to pack a few bags. The rest of your stuff is being shipped to the house in Nevada. We can't stick around here long anyway so this is going to be quick."

I nodded and we got out of the car and walked up to the front door. Zack opened the door and just kind of stared at me and stepped aside to let us in.  My mom came in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, and stood staring at me for a second. It was uncomfortable and awkward. I just really needed them to understand. I looked up the stairs and saw Travis and Zack standing at the top staring down at me just like they always do. My dad came in and stood next to my mom and I felt so unwelcome and unwanted. The four of us stood there staring at each other for a few minutes