Spark

Chapter 2: Graduation/ He's Back

"Oh, honey!" I hug my mom with a laugh. Today was not only my graduation day, but it was also my birthday. I turn and shockingly I see my dad. "Daddy!" I hug him and he laughs. "I know, pumpkin, I'm glad to finally be at something in your life. Congrats. Ready to take on the nursing world?" I now have my nursing degree and I'm now working the ER at the UCLA Medical Center. "I am. Ugh, and I start a week from Monday." "Well at least you have a week to prepare." My mother says. "Well, we should go home," my father says. "Believe it or not I cooked dinner." I smile. "I'm impressed." The rare times he has a break from in between business meetings and kissing ass to potential clients my father loves to cook; and he's a damn good one if I say so myself.

Chloe and Zoe came squealing over and hugging me. "What are we going to do?" Zoe asks. "I know," Chloe responds. "We're, like, actual adults now." We took a bunch of selfies and posted them with a caption that said "All grown up!" I can't believe it. Yeah we'll still see each other, but not as often cause we're working. Chloe is off working as a child social worker helping kids find families and Zoe is living her best life working as an IT analyst.

Austin comes over and he hugs me. "You know you should've majored in criminal justice." I tried dating Austin when I was in college to distract myself from Eric. After that night he wound up moving. I heard him and that woman got married so, I moved on to Austin. I've known him since high school we went to school together. But I was so hooked on throwing myself at Eric that I didn't give him a chance at the time. Now, he majored in criminal justice and is now working full-time at the courthouse as a security guard until he can prepare to go to the police academy.

We all head towards our parents who promise to meet up at my place. I look back at the place I had called home for four years and just realized something. I went to UCLA, they're paying me now.

When we got home I smile at the Congratulations banner that was done in my school colors. The dining room was all set up with decorations that matched my school colors, wine was chilling in an ice bucket. It was perfect, then something stood out to me. There was nine of us why did my mother set out ten place settings?

As if to answer my question I heard. "Congratulations, Sofia." I turn slowly to the voice I haven't heard in four years. "Uncle Eric." He comes close to me and cups my cheek. "You know by now you should cut the uncle crap. We're more than that to each other." I take his hand that was on my cheek and pushed it away. "I thought so, too until I seen you with that woman." "She's nothing. The second I saw you..." "Was she the reason you couldn't come to my birthday? Was she?" "Yes." At least he treated me like an adult enough to tell me straight up.

I looked at the man whose guilty expression I couldn't tell was sincere or not. He still looked the same, except his long black hair was greying but still looked sexy as ever in that man bun. "It's okay. I was a child, still am at times. She's right for you."

He was about to say something when my friends walked in. "I see you found your surprise." My mother says. "Catching up I see." I smile at my mom. "Yeah, it's a great surprise. You're looking good, Uncle Eric." "You know it seemed like it was just yesterday when you were going off to kindergarten." I smile. "There's people I want you to meet."

I called everyone in and introduced them. "And here," as I finally get to Austin. "Is my boyfriend Austin. Austin, this is my Uncle Eric." They shake hands, but I could see the look of hurt and guilt in Eric's eyes. Austin sticks his hand out and Eric smiles and shakes it. "Taking care of her I hope?" "Always." I smile at him.

"Pumpkin, can you help with food?" I turn to my dad. "Sure." I glare at Eric and make my way to the kitchen. Once the food was set at the table we were all about to sit when I noticed there were name cards in front of each place setting, Dad was at the head of the table to my left and Austin was at my right. That wasn't bad, but Eric was sitting across from me.