Triphilia - the third time has it's charm | book 3 | Scomavi

Chapter 12

It was a little after seven when Mitch finally heaved his suitcase off the belt and made his way out through the customs. Usually, when he stepped through of the airport in Dallas, he had this immediate homely feeling in his gut, but this time he didn't feel anything. He didn't know what to expect. How would his father be after loosing his mother? How would the funeral be with all the people and things. He did his best to shake these feelings off as he looked around the arrivals hall for the next exit.

His parents knew that he would be arriving, but he told them that he would take a cab back home. However, Mitch couldn't help but smile happily, when he saw his father standing there, looking around. "Dad!" He exclaimed and ran up to him to hug him tightly. 

"Mitch, hello" Mike greeted him back and held him tight. "It's so good to see you again..."

Mitch looked at his father and frowned when he saw how tired and sad he looked. "I'm glad to be back home" he returned. "Even though I wish it was for a happier reason..."

"You and me both, son" Mike said. "But well..." he shrugged his shoulders. "Shall we just go home? You're probably hungry and tired..."

"Yes, home is a good idea" Mitch replied with a small smile on his face. 

Mike took Mitch's suitcase, like he usually did and together father and son went to the parking lot.

"So, I saw you on the morning show this... what happened to Scott? He was limping, wasn't he?" Mike asked his son as they were out on the highway. 

"Yep..." Mitch returned. "But it's nothing major. He fell and bruised his knee."

Mike frowned. "Poor Scott."

"Yeah..." Mitch returned. "But we took care of him, Avi and I. Made sure that he iced it regularly and well, just helped him, because it was really bad yesterday..." 

"You're so good to one another" Mike pointed out. "I like this about you, Scott and Avi." 

Mitch nodded. "Me too, so much..." he said, shaking his head when he felt tears welling up in his eyes again. "How they were there for me last night, they're the best men one can wish for... they're wonderful."

Mike smiled. "I'm glad that you found one another" he said. 

"Thank you, Dad" Mitch replied and fell silent again, the only sound coming from the radio as Mike steered the car back home.

Once they stepped inside the house, Mitch was greeted by a pleasant smell. "Mmmhm, is Mum cooking?" 

Mike chuckled. "You bet she is. You must be hungry after the long journey..." 

Mitch nodded. "Yeah... hungry and a exhausted. We had such an early pick up..."

"So food and then sleep it is" Mike returned with a smile. "I'll bring your suitcase up, you go and hug your Mum."

Mitch nodded and went into the kitchen where his mother was already stirring in a huge pot. "Mum!" 

"Hello Mitch" Nel returned and opened her arms to hug her son tight. "How are you?"

Mitch allowed himself to sink into his mother's embrace and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what I'm feeling right now. I'm just tired, I think. How are you and Dad?"

"Sad. Mournful..." Nel returned. "It's getting better but still... it hurts."

"It does." Mitch sighed. "Especially because I didn't really expect her to go so soon. I thought we had more time. She was so... lively, so happy."

"You're right, Mitch" Nel said. "If it helps you in any way, she didn't feel any pain. The doctor said that she fell asleep at night and passed away in her sleep. It was peaceful.