Take Me Home

Mother

A few hours had gone by, as I just enjoyed my time with my family, enjoying the day I didn't think I would share with them. For part of the day, I only sat back outside on the porch, as Polo had followed me out there later, as I sat down on the long bench that was right in front of our living room window. The one that had 'Congrats Eric' written on top. Polo lied down beside me, as he kept me company while I only let the warm air soak in. Many times, I only enjoyed when Polo was with me, as I enjoyed his company the most it seemed. For things were never complicated with Polo. He didn't ask questions. He didn't ask how I was or how I was doing. It was easy with him, and I enjoyed that sometimes. The silent, the peace. It was nice.

After awhile I had been sitting out there alone, I heard the front door squeak open, as I turned to my left, and saw my mom coming out to greet me with a slight smile. However, it wasn't just a smile written on her face. There was something else there. Another expression. One I couldn't read all too well. But I knew I had seen it before. I had seen that face many times, only when she wanted to talk to me about something. However, I didn't ask her anything yet, as I only smiled back at her through an unsure expression. She didn't say anything at first, only walked over towards me, and sat down on the bench close by me, although keeping distance a bit. We sat there in silence for a few moments, as we only let that warm air rush by us.

"So, how does it feel to be a graduate?" My mother asked as she broke the silence at last, as that somewhat joyful feeling began in the pit of my stomach for just a few minutes.

"Pretty good. Actually, great. It's.......it's just that, it feels weird, you know?" I spoke in a steady voice, as our conversation had started and pressed play, and I knew for a fact she would want to know what I meant by that.

"What do you mean?" She asked as I knew that question would come up, however I clarified it for her, as I knew I would have to.

"I don't know, it's just, I feel like I just got back. Just got back into school and everything, and now I'm done all of a sudden. It's just weird," I mentioned and tried to explain myself, as I described the feeling I had for the time being. My mother had kept quiet for another moment, as if she was trying to understand what I meant or what I just told her.

"But, you were in school for all those years, weren't you?" She asked as she turned her direction over towards me, and I did the same for her.

"Yeah, but, I feel like that person wasn't me. That was Chris. It's like, it feels like Chris and Eric are two different people, you know? It's like, Eric just got back, and now he's done school," I looked back over at her with those soft and understanding eyes, as I could tell she was only trying to read mine. But then I quickly turned my head back forwards, as I stared back at the ground. "I don't know, I can't explain it," I let her know, as it looked as if she still didn't understand.

"No, I get it," she finally spoke up, as she still didn't sound convincing, however I didn't want to try and explain myself further. I understood what I meant, and I didn't care as much if she didn't. "So, did you drive Holly home after the convocation? I thought you two would go out and do something afterwards," she changed the topic as she focused more on Holly, as my mind was brought over back to her as well. My family really liked Holly, they always had. When we were just friends at the age of seven, and even now when we were together. Holly got along fairly well with my family, as they seemed to instantly click right as I started bringing her over during family functions. Holly had a pretty easy going personality, as she mostly just went with the flow, and wasn't too dramatic over things. And my parents liked her even more, when she stuck by my side after I returned home, and during the whole hearing with Martins and all. They appreciated her for that, along with being my support group and person to talk to in a way. I felt like I could tell Holly some things I couldn't tell my parents. Not everything, but some things, yes.