Coming Home

Part 1

Kansas was just the same as it had always been. Flat, dull, and lifeless. People would argue with you on how pretty Kansas was. Look at the rolling hills, snaking creeks, flowering trees, and the sunsets. You can't forget about the sunsets. If you don't like sunsets, then what about being able to see for miles around you without anything blocking your view.

Those were the arguments that Katie's family had been telling her for years. Katie had finally given in to her family's annoying phone calls and decided on coming home for a visit. Katie hadn't been home since she graduated high school 15 years earlier. Katie had been glad to get out of her small hometown and away from people with small, closed off minds.

Interstate 70 stretched for miles ahead of Katie with boring regularity. She could have taken US Highway 24, but that didn't take her all the way through Kansas. It only went from the Colorado state line to Concordia which still left a good stretch of the state that you had to travel by other smaller highways. Since Katie was driving up from New Orleans, she really had few choices of roads that she could just get on and go.

"This is a mistake," Katie grumbled aloud. No one answered her, but then she didn't expect anyone too. She was traveling by herself with only her Scottish Sheep Dog, Titan, to keep her company. He was of no help to her because he was currently curled up on the backseat sleeping.

Katie braced her elbow on the door and leaned her head in her hand as she drove down Interstate. She should never have agreed to come back. Katie knew what was waiting for her at home. Her parents' small house which was always crammed with way too many people and all of their belongings. Three of her four siblings still lived at home with their parents. The only sibling who had moved out was Katie's only sister, Jackie. Jackie at least wanted to make something of her life.

"All you have to do is spend a week at home. That's it. You can do it." Katie snorted as she talked aloud to herself. Who was she kidding? Katie couldn't even stand to spend 10 minutes on the phone with her family.

Katie's car dinged at her. A look down at the dashboard showed that she was getting low on gas. Katie sighed, glad that she was approaching Hays. She could gas up there, grab a bite to eat, and then make her way home. Maybe she could make the hour and a half drive back last longer.

Cervs was the go to place in Hays were Katie always gassed up. They were easy to get to and they had enough convenient store choices that you never walked out with anything to eat or drink. Katie filled her car up with gas before she went in search of some food.

Just as Katie was getting back in her car, her phone rang. Katie let out a groan just knowing that it was going to be one of her parents calling to ask where she was. Katie blinked in surprise when she saw that it was Jackie who was calling. Katie hit the green button as she pulled away from the gas pumps.

"Hello."

"Katie! It's so good to hear your voice."

A slight smile tugged at Katie's mouth. Jackie was the one person she had missed seeing during the past 15 years.

"Hey Jackie. It's good to hear your voice too."

"Where are you?"

"I'm just leaving Hays."

Voices could be heard in the background. Katie rolled her eyes. Her family was never good at being quiet when someone was on the phone.

"That means you'll be getting into town in time for supper."

"I guess so," Katie said on a sigh.

Jackie was quiet on the other end. "You didn't want to come home did you?"

"No."

"But why?"

Katie sighed. "I have my reasons Jackie."

"I wish you'd tell me. Maybe I can help you."

"I doubt it Jackie. I'll see you soon."

"Okay." Jackie sounded defeated. "I'll see you later then."

Katie hung up the phone aggravated. She hated disappointing Jackie, but Katie disliked being around her family. There was no way that Katie could explain her feelings to Jackie. How could Katie explain that the reason she never came home was because she felt like she didn't matter? Growing up, Katie had never been mistreated or anything by her family, but she had been neglected. Why would Katie's parents spend time with her, their difficult child, when they could spend time with Katie's four younger siblings?

"Jackie just doesn't understand." Katie murmured to no one in particular. "She didn't grow up hearing how exhausting she was to be around or why couldn't she just play by herself and let her parents have a break."

Titan stirred in the back seat, but didn't answer Katie back. Katie glanced at him in the rearview mirror and smiled. "At least you're with me Titan. You and I can spend some time at the lake and go on some long runs."

Katie stopped at the Dairy Queen in Quinter trying to kill time, but she could only waste so much time eating a blizzard. Jackie had texted her while she was eating asking where she was. Katie said that she was at Quinter and would be home in 40 minutes. Katie couldn't stall any longer. Against her will, Katie was being dragged home. Maybe not physically, but she was tired of them nagging her to come visit.

"Just one week Katie. You can do one week."