Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
“You made it!”
I return my mom’s hug, and when she steps back to look at my face, I force a smile.
“I did.”
“How long can you stay?”
Considering that I almost didn’t make it out of Nashville, I decide I need a break. Not only will it give me a chance to regroup, but it should be enough to fuck with Kyle and Delaney’s heads.
“A while,” I tell her. “At least a week.”
Mom’s smile widens, and her eyes light up. “Oh, good. It’ll be so nice to spend some quality time with you.”
“You too, Mom.”
It takes a lot of effort not to laugh at the insanity of the moment. Most people would expect my parents to be crazy or addicts or abusive, but Mom and Dad are the quintessential June and Ward Cleaver.
Growing up, my parents were very involved in my life. We ate dinner at the table as a family almost every night, and they told me they loved me every single day. I wasn’t beaten or berated or ignored. I was… cherished.
I’m sure you’re wondering where it all went wrong for me, and honestly, I don’t think I can answer that question. If I had to guess, I’d say nothing went wrong so much as I was wrong from the moment I was born.
“Son, you’re here.”
My father’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I look toward the stairs to see him walking down them.
“Hey, Dad.”
He strides closer and pulls me in for a hug.
See… loved.
“Your mother didn’t tell me you were coming,” he says after stepping back.
I shrug. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it.”
“Well, we’re very glad you did.”
And that’s how it goes for the rest of the visit. They shower me with love and affection, and I eat it up. When I’m home, I might not be able to let the real me show, but it’s the only time I can pretend I’m a normal part of society.