Home Is Where The Heart Is

Part II

        The door flung open revealing a woman, whom I assumed to be Mrs. Richardson. Her disheveled appearance startled me; I didn’t expect her to be dressed so modestly. She wore a plain, simple t-shirt and a pair of worn out jeans. Her long, tousled, chestnut hair framed a gorgeous heart shaped face. The worry lines on her forehead somehow added to her beauty, she probably broke a fair share of hearts in her day.  I was perplexed; I didn’t understand how anyone could manage pull off such a look. Regardless, her best feature was her smile; it looked like it was going to burst from love and adoration.

        “Good afternoon Mrs. Richardson, it’s ever so nice to see you again in your charming home. I’d like to introduce you to Al-” I was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace, interrupting Maddie’s introduction. I was so shocked; I think some hair managed to get into my open mouth. I’ve never been hugged like that before… I sort of liked it… she smelt like home.

        She slowly pulled away from me while sheepishly glancing at me through her lashes. “I’m so sorry, you probably think I’m a kook. It’s just that when I saw you looking all cute, my motherly instincts took over me, and I felt like needed to hug you,” she jabbered frantically. I sent her a smile letting her know that it was alright. “Don’t worry about it Mrs. Richardson” I assured he. Her face broke out into another radiant smile. “Oh please call me Kate.” She looked to Maddie “I’m so sorry for interrupting you earlier Ms. Turner, please forgive me.” I knew Maddie liked Kate, I could tell from her eyes, she knew a good parent when she saw one. “Oh its quite al-” she was interrupted yet again by another one of Kate’s embraces, only this time it was Maddie being hugged.

        I burst out laughing; Maddie’s face expression was priceless. However my laughter was cut short, as soon as I saw something or rather someone in the corner of my eye. I turned to see a small boy standing by an open doorway to the left; the tiled floor led me to believe the room to be a kitchen. The boy was dressed in a blue Spiderman t-shirt with a pair of dark trousers. He was ‘discreetly’ watching me, but as soon I turned, he ducked his head, and fled into the kitchen. He’s so teeny, probably still in kindergarten. “Oh don’t mind Jamie, he’ll come around eventually” stated Kate, breaking away from the hug while looking at the kitchen. I think I heard Maddie mutter something about creases and expensive suits.  

        “Did he do that to your hair?” I blurted out. Oops that was rude. “Uhuh ” she said with a serious face expression, while running a hand through her wild hair “He thinks its fun to tie Spiderman to my hair when I’m sleeping .You can’t wear anything nice around that boy either, too much of risk,” she said looking at me meaningfully. “I guess I’ll have to be careful around him then.” I noted more to myself. I looked back at the bags containing what little clothes I owned. I dropped them, when I was unexpectedly crushed earlier. “Don’t you worry about your bags honey. David, my husband, will take them to your room,” Kate informed me. “Speaking of David- DAVID! GET DOWN HERE!” She shouted suddenly. Holy moly she scared me half to death. Some inaudible yelling came from up the stairs that was situated across the doorway. “He’ll be down in a bit” She translated to us. “Now come on, let me take you to the living room” she hastened as she closed the door.

        She led us to the room on the right, and sat us down on one of the almond colored couches surrounding a glass coffee table. Is that a plate of fresh muffins I spy? I grabbed a muffin as I stared at the wide screen television across from me, fancy. It was playing reruns of how I met your mother on a low volume. A warm summer breeze drifted through the room from an open window nearby. I listened to Kate and Maddie make small talk, as I munched through the warm muffin. I felt at peace; that is, until I laid eyes on a pillow on the coach beside me. I tried to muffle my laughter but to no avail, for on the pillow was a small chocolate handprint; it completely caught me off guard. “What is it?” I heard Maddie ask. I was full on laughing now, pieces of muffin flying everywhere. I turned towards them, while pointing to the stain. I must have looked like a lunatic, and that, my dear readers, was the exact moment Mr. Richardson decided to grace us with his presence, with Jamie trailing behind him.

        They all stared at me in shocked silence, until my laughter eventually died down. “Sweetie are you alright? Do you have a fever?” Kate asked worriedly, as she came forward, putting her hand on my forehead. “No, no, no I was just laughing at...” I grabbed the pillow “this.” Everyone’s eyes turned to the pillow, I saw Jamie trying to sneak away behind his father. “Hold it right there” Mr. Richie spoke with no readable expression on his face. He must have come home recently, as he was dressed in a wrinkled up suit, probably from a hard day’s work. Jamie froze in his tracks; fear evident on his face. “It wasn’t me” Jaime whined, while glaring at me, sheesh I’m sorry. I tried to mouth him an apology, but he turned and gave me a cold shoulder; wow, he’s got some attitude.

         I gazed at both father and son, and saw the remarkable resemblance between them, they both had the same chocolate brown hair. One head was neat, not a hair out of place, while the other was quite unruly, tufts of hair stuck in all directions. They shared the same jawline; only Jamie’s was smaller and chubbier than his father’s. They both had the same grey eyes, except Jamie’s had a mischievous glint in them; looks like somebody’s going to grow up to be a class clown…on second thought, he looks like he already is one.

        “Well we don’t have another 5 year old walking around do we? Where did you get that chocolate from anyway? You already had your dessert today.” Kate questioned, trying to fight a smile. Jamie stubbornly remained quiet, clenching and unclenching his little fists, while silently studying his sneakers. “And what did we say about eating in the living room?” his mother continued, slightly lowering her voice; concern was evident on her face. Jamie didn’t respond; his lips were pressed tightly together. “Aren’t you going to answer your mother?” his father began barely above a whisper.

        Upon hearing his father’s voice, tears began tumbling down his cheeks; he clearly didn’t enjoy being put in the spotlight. He roughly wiped away his tears; his pink tinged cheeks indicated his embarrassment. He looked so small and vulnerable; I couldn’t take watching him cry. I had to do something! Thinking quickly I threw the stained pillow in his direction shouting “Jamie! Catch!” Jamie looked up in surprise, once he saw the projectile; he braced himself and caught it without hesitation. “That’s amazing! You’ve got a good arm on you, we should play catch sometime” I suggested as I got up and strode towards him.

        Everyone in the room was looking at me strangely, except Jamie; he looked up at me in awe. I ruffled his hair before turning to his father; he was watching me with keen interest. “Hello Mr. Richie, uh I mean, Mr. Richardson, I’m Allyson it’s a pleasure to meet you. You’ve got a wonderful family here, and I can’t wait to get to know you all” I smiled looking up at him. He gazed down at me with a bemused expression; he knew what I was up to. “The pleasure’s all mine Allyson. Welcome to our family, I’m sure you’ll feel right at home. Please call me David; although I wouldn’t mind being called Mr. Richie” He chuckled clasping my hand, and shaking it with a firm grip.

        I blushed at my blunder, before surprising him with a hug. “And you can call me Ally” I piped up, making sure Kate heard as well. I pulled away from David, turning to Jamie “Why don’t you show me where the laundry room is, lets get that pillow cleaned up. The adults have some papers to sign,” I sang pushing him out the door, turning around just in time to wink at everyone else. I had made my decision; I wanted to be part of this family.