The River Speaks

Chapter Ten: Home

Chapter Ten: Home

"So what's changed?" I ask Madeline an hour into the ride. She has a tiny truck with a bench seat and I'm shoved between her and Aiden, who points out an animal every time we see one.

The big buildings are gone and we're just passing farm after farm.

"Nothin' really. Jared and I broke up a while ago because he was just boring." She shrugs. "Oh, Winter is pregnant. Your Dad's talkin' about sellin' em, he said he doesn't have anybody to help him."

"We don't really have any space for them." I say.

"Exactly." She nods. "I don't know who's gonna buy them though. Oh, did you know Mrs. Tuck's horse got out? Almost got hit by Mr. Will's truck."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. Noah led him back home though."

"Wow." I say. "How's Ruby?"

"She's alright."

"Just alright?"

"She's good Lil, just lonely I think. With Winter pregnant, all the attention is on her."

I nod a little, watching as things slowly start to get familiar.

"May is gonna be so happy to see you. The word is going to spread so fast that you're back. Won't be a surprise that you're more happy to see Ruby." She smiles at me and I laugh a little.

"I missed her the most."

"I know you did." She reaches over to pat my knee. "What about you city boy? You're quiet."

"Look, another deer!" Aiden says. "That's so cool."

"He's never been out of the city." I laugh.

She looks surprised.

We pass the Welcome to the city of Crittenden sign and I smile.

This time of year, Mama probably has the windows open since it's nice and cool out.

We drive down the road that's to the right of our tiny town and Maddy takes a left, turning onto the street I grew up on.

She heads down the road about two miles until we reach the driveway, which is long. It winds around a pond. The cattle are out grazing the field and my heart is pounding in excitement.

The truck stops and I was right, seeing the windows in the house open.

"Did you tell them I was coming?" I ask.

"Nope." Madeline shuts the door when she gets out and it fills the silence of the country. Aiden opens the door just as the front door opens and my Mama steps out onto the porch with a dish towel in her hand.

"Who's that?" Aiden asks.

"That's my Mama." I smile.

Aiden opens the car door and gets out.

"Maddy," Mama starts, but she pauses when Aiden opens the door and steps out into the driveway. I slip out next to him.

When Aiden shuts the drivers door, Mama drops the frying pan.

"Lilliana Autumn!" She gasps, rushing off the porch to me. She wraps her arms around me in a hug for a second and then pulls back."Oh my goodness, look at my little girl!"

"Hey Mama." I smile.

Her eyes linger on my neck for a moment, and then she looks at Aiden.

"Who's this?"