Take Me Home

Together Again

As the afternoon went by rather quickly with all the questions thrown my way, before I knew it my mother began to make supper. The first supper I had back with my family. Mom made chicken pop pie, and I instantly went back to that day. The day before I was taken away. However, I tried to leave that stuff in the past, as now that I was back, I tried not to think of all that stuff that happened. I was back home, with my family. And I needed to pay more attention to them. I needed to be more alert and aware of my surroundings. I was home now, so why should I be thinking and bring up those bad memories? Just leave them in the past and move on. My brain kept telling me, although that was easier said than done, as my mind couldn't shake the memories and thoughts I once had back in the cabins.

As my mother and father called us from the kitchen for supper hours later, the three of my siblings rushed in as I was the only one who took my time, and wandered into the kitchen that looked the exact same as eight years earlier. How the cupboards were that same dark wooden colour, the counter space spread out like usual, and our kitchen table that sat close to the large window.

As I sat down, the whole meal had been served right there on the table, as I remembered it as just like old times. I sat next to mom, and right on the other side of me sat Cody. I felt an instant closeness with Cody for some weird reason, maybe that was because he was my brother for one thing, but also because we were very close in age. And that closeness wasn't all present around my mom and dad. I felt distant from them. More with my father than my mother. However I didn't know why. I was happy to be back, and to be around them for sure, I just didn't feel as close. Maybe that would only come with time.

As the six of us finally sat down, I waited for everyone else to dig in first, however it seemed they were waiting for something. Not getting a move on. I gave them all confused looks, as I then saw their hands come together, and their heads bowed down, and I realized all of that was for grace, as I was brought back to every meal I shared with them when I was a kid, where mom would always pray. I tried to copy all of them, as I bowed my head but didn't fold my hands, as I felt rather out of place.

"Dear lord," mom began as I stared down at Polo, who was directly under my chair at the time as I saw his tail slither back and forth. "I want to thank you for the health and well being of everyone around this table today, especially one boy in particular. Thank you very much lord, for bringing Eric back to us safely, and please watch over him as he adjusts back to his everyday life. In your name we pray, amen."

  "Amen," the other four spoke as they all looked over at me with a small smile, before they began to help themselves to the food. As it was my turn to place some food onto my plate, I could see the somewhat shock on my siblings faces as they saw how much food I took. I didn't take much to begin with, because I didn't want to feel like I was greedy and a hog in a way, however as I wolfed my food down at a steady pace, I went back for seconds, as well as Cody.

  "Wow, you can eat as much as Cody," Mandy spoke up as she joked a bit, and scooped another mouthful of her peas in her mouth. Her plate was rather empty, along with Kate's as I could tell they weren't huge eaters. They never had been.

  "That's because they are both growing boys," my mom said to the girls, as I looked over at Cody and then back at my plate. I guess I didn't notice at first, but I sure was hungry. And as I kept shovelling in more mouthfuls, I tried not to spill or slop, I didn't want to seem like a messy eater. I had forgotten how good mom's food was. I had been so used to Martins crappy cooking, that had become the new normal. However, I would have to get used to home cooked meals most days, instead of the usual take out Martins and I would get, considering he was never a good cook.

  "This is really good Mom," I acknowledged her baking as she glanced over at me, as a slight smile appeared on her lips.

  "Thank you. Maybe next time you could help make supper. I know how much you used to love doing that," she voiced up as she made the offer, and I nodded my head a slight bit in agreement.