Juvenile Delinquents

Home sweet home

Mrs. Reda came to a slow stop beside my old home. I was extremely nervous and my fingers wouldn't let go of my charm bracelet. I began to overthink everything and when I looked towards the kind woman beside me I shook my head. "This was a mistake. We should just go back."

     Mrs. Reda grabbed my hands and gave me a sweet smile. "It's alright to be nervous. You haven't seen your family in years. Just remember that they love you. Maybe that would help with the nervousness?"

     Nodding my head, I gave her a small smile. "Thanks Mrs. Reda."

     "My pleasure dear. Now go on." She said and released my hands.

     I shook my head and grabbed her hand as a hopeful smile made it's way to my face."Can you come with me? I want my family to meet the woman who will be treating me as her own."

     Mrs. Reda's smile widened as she nodded her head and pulled me into a hug. "Of course, dear. You have no idea what that means to me." After a while, we pulled apart and got out of the car. Looking at my childhood bungalow, a small smile spread across my face as I took it in. Nothing has changed. Everything has stayed the same. The dark grey garage doors that dad and I painted, the stone around the bottom of the house with its original light brown roof. Everything was still together.

     As I walked up to the big brown oak door, I exhaled slowly and rang the doorbell. Instant regret washed over me as I stepped back. I wanted to run but Mrs. Reda placed a gentle hand on my shoulder that kept me in place. Quietly cursing to myself, I heard the door unlock. My stomach turned in nerves. The door quickly swung open to reveal my older brother Julian. His firer hair was as dark as mine and his familiar chocolate brown eyes pierced into my own. He stood a foot taller and very built. Football had been helping him.

     Julian looked how at me and his face paled as his lips parted. "M-Melly?" He breathed as I saw tears in his eyes.

     "Hi Juju."

     "Is that really you?" Julian took a step closer and cupped my face.

     I smiled as a tear slipped down my cheek. "No, it's Robert version of your sister." I said sarcastically ask Julian smiled and pulled me into a hug.

    "I missed you so much, Melly." Julian breathed as he squeezed the life out of me.

     My smile grew as I dug my face into his chest. "I missed you too."

     The hug was too short. When my brother pulled away, a tear slipped down his cheek. "Wha—" He was cut off by the sweet and loving voice of my mother. I missed her voice so much.

     "Julian, who's at th—" My mother's dark blue eyes met mine and stopped walking. Her face paled and I was nervous she was not happy to see me but a scream quickly left her lips. That caused my father and sister to step in.

    "Mom, what happ—" Katrina soon cut herself off when she saw me. I saw the regret and anger in her face. She knew I read the letter she had sent me.

     My mom ran towards me and almost knocked me over from the hug she gave me. I tightly wrapped my arms around her and smiled in her shoulder as she cried. "My baby!" A chill ran down my back at her words. She sounded so broken. After a few sobs, she pulled away and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Her red hair was a mess and her freckled face was warm and welcoming. "Welcome home, honey." I smiled at her.

     My father was soon approaching us. Tears built behind his dark brown eyes as he stood beside Julian. A broken chuckle left my lips. "Hey, when did Julian get so tall?" I joked while pointing at brother being the same height as my dad. Julian chuckled and my dad smiled. "Hey dad." I sniffed. I realized that his dark brown hair was spiked with grey, clearly the work of my brother and sister. He quickly wrapped me into his arms as I hugged his torso. He kissed the top of my head as I felt him smile into my hair.