You know that moment before you go right into a full blown anxiety attack? Like when your heart is beating so fast and hard it actually hurts? Your shoulder and arm starts hurting too or goes numb, and you feel light headed? That's exactly what's happening right now. I needed to go inside before I drop to the floor, the last thing I needed was to end up in the hospital
I run right past my mom and I don't even take a second look at my dad, going straight into the house. The place is foreign to me and I realize that I have not a clue where the washroom is. In front of me is an open space where you have room to take off your shoes. If you were to keep straight ahead it would bring you into another room. If you go left, it brings you down a hallway and to the right of the room, there's a staircase leading to the upstairs. I decide to keep straight, wandering into the next room. When I enter, it's an open sitting room area with large windows. You can see the boardwalk and the beach from here
I decide to walk over to the window and stare off into the distance, watching people surfing the waves further out and the waves crashing onto the shore. My breathing calms down and I start feeling more like myself. The front door opening startles me and causes me to whip my head in the direction of the sound. I can hear Riley saying something and my dad laughing in response
My mom is the first to enter the room but following close behind is Riley and my dad. He has his arm around her shoulders and she looks happier than I've ever seen her. Too bad I don't feel the same but in fact the complete opposite.
"I'm going to be heading out now, I've got a long drive back" my mom tells me
"Okay" I simply say, not having the energy to come up with any type of bitchy comment
My mom and I may not get along but the urge of getting on my hands and knees and begging her to bring me home with her washes over me. But I don't do that of course. I just continue standing exactly where I am, watching my mom say goodbye to Riley. She takes Riley into her arms and kisses the top of her head and whispers something in her ear. Riley just giggles and nods in understanding
My dad walks my mom out of the house as Riley continues standing in the door way
"Let's go spy" Riley whispers, a mischievous grin spreading onto her face
"Riley no, we should give them some privacy" I say but even I'm not convincing myself. I knew I was curious to see what was going on between them out there, this was their first time actually seeing each other again in 8 years. The whole time my dad was in prison, we never went to visit him once. Not any of us
"Please Ry" Riley pleads and I cave, running past her and grabbing onto her wrist to pull her along
We both discreetly peer through the long narrow window beside the front door that gives us a perfect view of the exchange going on outside. Dad's back is to us so we can only see moms face. She's wiping tears from her face and dad puts a hand on her shoulder and gives it a squeeze
"I wish we could hear what they're saying" Riley mutters
"Me too" I answer, not taking my eyes off them for even a second
My mom throws herself into my dad and he wraps his arms around her as she wraps her arms around him. Riley and I gasp at the same time, not knowing what to make of the situation. Dad is the first to pull away and my mom gets into the car without any further words. She begins to pull out of the driveway while dad stands there like a statue watching her. When she's no longer in sight, he stands there for a moment longer before turning around
Riley and I scramble and take off running into the living room
"Act natural" Riley yells in panic just before the front door opens
YOU ARE READING
Strangers With Secrets
Romancese·cret /ˈsēkrit/ adjective 1. not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others. The best way to keep a secret? Pretend that there isn't one. But the truth always comes out eventually, doesn't it?
