Just Like That

8. "welcome home"

   Breanna Michelle Santana

  46 hours later, I arrived in the beautiful state of Oregon. Home.

I rolled the window down and exhaled. I had another hour of driving to do but thankfully, I was well-rested.

The first thing I did was stop and grab something to eat. Immediately after, I called my father and let him know I was on my way.

Excitement became me as I pulled into the driveway. I parked right beside my dad's pickup and let out a yawn.

Right as I got out of my car, I stretched and looked up only to see my dad standing at the front door, using a towel to dry his hands.

Without grabbing any of my belongings that cluttered the backseat, I raced right into my fathers arms and held him tight.

"It's been too long," he gushed as I looked into his light eyes and smiled big,"come inside Worry about your bags later, we need to catch up."

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Later that day, I wandered around the house and looked at the pictures on the walls and floating shelves.

It warmed my heart that he kept all of our family photos.

"She misses you a lot, Brea," my father snuck up on me and put a compassionate hand on my shoulder. With a smile on his light-beige skin, he pulled me in for a hug and added,"I'm glad to have you back."

"Glad to be back," I said as we started walking towards the kitchen.

"And you can stay here as long as you like, don't think you have to get a place on your own right away. I missed you, B," my dad emphasized, giving me a side-hug.

I looked up at him and half-smiled until he let go.

"Oh, let me show you to yer room," he jogged upstairs to lead the way.

The white wooden door creaked open, exposing the minimalist bedroom.

"It'll do," I joked lightly and walked inside.

"I know it's not much but I was so excited when you said you were comin', I tried to make this place home," he told me warmly, leaning against the doorframe.

"It's perfect, dad, really. Thanks," I expressed my gratitude before giving him yet another hug.

It wasn't like our old family home but it was still nice - just different.

"Dad, how does mom feel about you still having those pictures of her up," I dared to ask and regretted it when I saw the look of discomfort on his face.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" I started to apologize but my father interjected.

He said,"She, uh, she doesn't know. She doesn't ever come visit anymore, we just talk on the phone occasionally - usually when she's asking me when's your birthday and if she forgot it."

My head hung. "Oh," I let out sadly. I hadn't realized she stopped caring enough to have forgotten her only child's birthday.

"Let's not talk about it. You hungry," I nodded my head at my dad who changed the subject.

"Brea," my dad said my name in the truck on the way to the diner. I nodded with wide eyes, waiting to see what he wanted,"welcome home," he said.

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A/N:

Sorry for the unintended hiatus. Also, sorry for the very short chapter!!!!! I know, I suck.
I think I just wanted to show her going to Oregon and meeting her dad but not rushing into what's happening next chapter. So, this was a filler. Deal with it.
HOWEVER, I'll come back better & harder. Trust me.

Thank u, love u

~Natasha Carmen