Fly Away Home

Chapter 10

The knocking sound reverberates through the house, startling me. It's only the second time someone has approached my front door since I moved to Pigeon Grove. Everyone has respected my unspoken desire for privacy, save for Hank and Lydia. In hindsight, I'm thankful for their gracious welcome to the neighborhood on that first visit. It has led to a delightful friendship.

"Aunt Claire!" The sound of a little girl turned young woman pulls me from the couch with an eager grin and hastened pace. As I approach the door, my smile widens as Lizzie's twinkling eyes shine through the mesh screen.

Russell holds a pink suitcase in his right hand. "Hey, Claire Bear. Great to see you, Sis." I greet both on the porch and offer my brother a quick but heartfelt hug. It's been a long time since I've shared a genuine embrace with someone. It feels good.

Lizzie shadows her dad with an even stronger squeeze for me. Her arms used to wrap around my waist. Now they almost reach my shoulders. She latches onto me with affection that's surprising for a teenager. Bending over to place a kiss on the top of her head is a thing of the past as I rise on my tiptoes. "What a beautiful young woman you've become." I run the palm of my hand over her long dirty blonde hair before offering them a tour of the house.

"Can we visit that coffee shop on Main Street? They have all these different roast types." The excitement in her voice supports my presumption that caffeine is a part of her daily routine. "And that bridge coming into town? It looks like it'd be the perfect subject for my next painting. Could we go later?" Her youthful energy is highly infectious, and I can't help but feel my mood elevate in Lizzie's presence. "And oh, I almost forgot, wait here." She darts back to the car and returns with a cloth bag full of that elusive yellow fruit. "Will you share your secret recipe with me?"

It's ironic that I barely had enough lemons for a single pitcher. Now, between Jack and Lizzie's stash, I might have an ample supply to start my own farm. With the sack thrust into my arms, her smile begs for an answer to the flurry of questions I've already forgotten.

"Maybe we should give your aunt a chance to catch her breath. And remind me to introduce you to the wonders of decaf." Russell winks at me before I open the screen door again and lead them through the living room area.

"Claire, this is... beautiful." He takes in the view surrounding him with genuine appreciation. I'm glad others also recognize the beauty I saw when first visiting this place. Even before I set foot inside, I remember it speaking to something in my soul.

"Things aren't quite where I want them to be yet, but it's coming together."

"There's so much space. Do you have any idea how you will use it all?" I haven't considered that question. I only know this house was meant to be mine. The quiet undertone in my brother's voice doesn't go unnoticed. I pick up on his subtleties, and this one is well-founded. He's wondering if and how I can afford it. Property is cheaper here, but still, I have no job. I've trimmed my expenses to the bare minimum, and I have a hefty savings account. Between that and the imminent sale of our childhood home, it's not something I need to worry about yet.

"I haven't thought about it much. But maybe this will encourage a few more visits from my favorite brother and niece."

"Am I not your only niece?" With folded arms across her chest, she flashes me one of her signature teenage expressions. She makes it clear I won't pull one like that over on her.

"Well, yes. But I reserve those adjectives for the truly special people in my life." I wrap my arm around Lizzie and tug her toward me for a mini-squeeze. My mind wanders to a different set of adjectives. Alluring and beautiful.

After a tour through the house, we've gathered in my favorite room. Standing at the kitchen table, Russell rests his hand on Lizzie's shoulder. "Why don't you go upstairs and unpack while your aunt and I talk?" As she leaves, almost bouncing around the corner and up the steps, I smile with gratitude. For this place. For these people. "You have no idea how talkative she was the entire drive. She couldn't wait to get here and see you."