Who's Shadow

Young Love

We pull into my driveway. I see the lights on inside my house. I can't believe they're home. Parker comes to open my door. 

"I can leave if you want me to?" Parker asks. I shake my head.

"Can you stay," I ask him. I'm not sure why I want him here. I just do.

We walk to the front door, I twist the nob and push it open. I pulled apart from Parker and slowly walked over to my parents. Tears were gathering in my eyes, "Mommy, daddy?" I choked out. They stood up from the couch and I ran to hug them. My dad picked me up with one arm and swung me around the living room. Tears were streaming down my face. I hugged my mom so tight. I didn't want to let her go.

"I love you Alice. We have missed you so so so much." She kissed all over my face.

"I- I've missed y- y- you too mom."

"Hush baby, we're here now sweet heart" I nodded my head as I continued to cry in relief.

"Alice, we want you to meet someone." My dad said and both of my parents crouched down so I mimicked them. A little boy about seven walked out from behind my mom with an oversized Sponge Bob shirt on and no pants.

My mom spoke, "Alice, this is Mamnoon. The boy your father saved."

"Hi Mamnoon." I hugged the scrawny boy.

"Hi, are you my sister?" he asked me. I nodded my head, "Yes I am your sister."

"I love you sister." I started sobbing and hugged him again. "I love you too Mamnoon."

I picked the little boy up and looked around. Aunt Penny was standing next to Parker crying her eyes out and my mom and dad were beside me. "Who's your friend Alice?" My dad asked me shaking Parker's hand.

"This is Parker. He's a friend from school. "

"Hi Parker." My mom hugged Parker'a neck.

"Hi Mrs. Whitt. Its nice to meet you." Parker said to my mom.

"I'm Lizzie and this is Jerry. We're about to head out for some pizza if you want."

"I would love to if Alice doesn't mind." 

"I don't mind, but are you sure mom?"

I asked, I don't want her to think she needed to.

"Any young man your Aunt Penny spoke so high of is welcome to come with us," my dad said.

"Do you want me to drive to my house and get some clothes for Mamnoon? I have a bunch from when I was younger that my mom kept." Parker asked.

"I would be so grateful if you would.  Alice will you and Mamnoon go with him? We can meet at Uncle Ugo's Pizzeria, is that still open?"My mom asked.

"Yeah mom it's still open. And we'll leave right now. I think your stuff is in the hall closet." I told my mom.

"Okay great. I love that place, you know that's where your dad and I had our first date?"

Parker nudged my shoulder and I know we were having the same thought.

"Alright I love you guys, see you there." I said and mom came over and kissed our heads, even Parkers.

We walked out the front door and I was still carrying Mamnoon. I put him in the backseat and buckled him in. "Thank you, Alice. Where we going?" Mamnoon asked.

"We're going to get you some clothes that fit." I said and his face lit up. "Clothes?"

"Yeah, clothes."