You Found Me Here

2. Ollie

I woke filled with anxiety, my breathing was heavy,and sweat covered my body. I remember dreaming about Fern, I running to her. I kept running to her, but I ended in the same place, Seattle.

Feeling dizzy I sit by the edge of my bed, and run a hand through my hair, feeling stressed.

When I left Oregon, I left half my heart behind, and now it's time to return home. I never thought I would be back in these circumstances.

18 hours prior

I waited outside the restaurant impatiently. I decided to go on a date with a colleague.  I was excited at first but now I wish I was home. I see her cross the road and smile.

As the night continues our conversation become playful and the sunset demines. We decided to eat by a sea side view by the harbor, and its the best location. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, but dismiss it not wanting to be rude.

Our conversation continues and my phone keeps ringing. She notices, and we sit in silence. It continues to ring, and I grab it from my pocket.

Hey, I'm sorry I need to take this she nodes with annoyance.

I quickly get up and check my phone, as I walk to the doc.

23 missed calls from Fern I read to myself. panicked I quickly call her back.

Hello Ollie I hear her voice, missing her more now.

oll.. she tries, but her voice shakes something is wrong.

I know this will bring me home. Fern, what's wrong? I whisper, scared to know.

She breaths and hiccups, as I wait in patiently.

Ollie mom was here I grow quite and my mind becomes clouded.

Mom is home my mind replays.

what do you mean I ask knowing exactly what she meant.

She was here awhile ago, shes.. Fern stops and my heart breaks at the sound of her sobs. I listen as she tries to speak again, and continues to crys.

Fern? I ask softly.

I hear deep breathing over the phone, and wait for the words.

Ollie, come home she whispers.

Since that phone call I have been on edge, why is my mom back after all those years? where was she? Why did she leave me? Leave us? As I step in my home I am greeted with a familiar face.

Galen, bro how are you I ask tired and emotional.

Galen and I have been buddies for years, we were in High School together. I remember the day we met clearly. It was my first day of high school, I had heard of him from football, he was a great football player, and a popular guy around town. We really got close my sophomore year, he had already graduated, and I needed someone to take my familys Christmas picture, he was in town so we reached out to him, and ended up bonding. Since then he has been my best friend.

He gets up and gives me a hug.

Bro you look tired, what have you been up to  he questions me, while giving me a funny look. I rub my face, shaking my head, I tell Galen everything, and we agree to head home tomorrow. Luckily we find tickets to Oregon for 11:00 AM. We say goodnight around 1:00 am, and I fall asleep with a massive headache.

Currently

I take a quick shower, and hear Galen in the kitchen. After I get dressed. As I reached the hallway smell breakfast, feeling somewhat happy I quicken my step.

Of course babe Galen speaks into the phone, and I give him a funny look.

He smiles and moves to the oven. I listen to his strange conversation, and grab a plate of breakfast amused. Galen lays the phone down on the counter and turns to the food sizzling in the oven. I continue to eat forgetting how good of a cook Galen is.

Galen.. Hello he ignores the phone on the counter and continues making food. Shaking his head he grabs a plate and smiles to himself. He grabs his phone, sitting next to me now.

Ugh did you forget I graduate tomorrow? the phone goes off again. I finish my food, head back to my room to get my luggage. As we made our way to the airport I felt sick, I didn't want to return home, I know I sound childish.

I am returning to Oregon, because fern is my home, and she needs me.