22. June
Chapter 22
June
T he airport buzzed with life, a chaotic symphony of announcements, rolling suitcases, and the low hum of conversations blending into one indistinguishable murmur. The thick air crashed with the aromas of coffee and fried foods—the kind of scent that clings to the back of your throat and refuses to let go.
Standing near the arrivals gate, my arms wrapped around my torso with my feet shifting from one foot to the other. My heart pounded with each passing second.
The overhead lights buzzed as people surged past me, their faces a blur of joy, exhaustion, and impatience.
I looked down at my watch.
Come on.
You landed twenty minutes ago.
Where are you?
I froze as my gaze settled on the older couple.
My heart jumped in my chest as my mother’s once-dark hair swayed around her shoulders, her arm wrapped around my father’s elbow. He wheeled the carry-on behind him, the metallic gray suitcase a beacon.
My throat tightened as I watched them scan the crowd with furrowed brows.
They’re here.
“Mom.” I lifted a hand and waved.
She glanced around—her face lighting up when she saw me.
I pushed through the crowd, the hustle and bustle of the airport fading into the background. My mother’s floral perfume hit me as I hugged her tightly. The softness of her sweater against my cheek, the way she held me like she never wanted to let go, brought a lump to my throat.
“Junie.” She squeezed me tight. “I’ve missed you.”
I pulled back, offering a watery smile before turning to my father. “Hi, Dad.”
He gave me a gruff nod, the corners of his mouth lifting in a small smile before he pulled me into his arms.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” My throat tightened as I choked back the emotion.
It’d taken three long weeks to convince them this was the right choice, the society in Vail a determining factor that solidified their decision.
An intercom crackled to life, calling for someone’s luggage being at the lost and found.
We’re finally together.
We’re here.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe, letting the tension slip away as I led them toward the exit.
The cool evening air hit me, carrying the scent of rain and tires whirring against the road. The city lights flickered in stark contrast to their home in Avon, where the stars were your guiding light.
“So I’ll take you to your house. I’ve been working on unpacking for you, but there are still some boxes in the spare room that need unpacking. I’ll come by and get them settled tomorrow.”
I popped the trunk, and my dad put his suitcase inside, then closed it.
“This is a fancy car. Did Carter buy it for you?” My dad’s brows pulled down with disapproval as my mom opened the back seat and sat inside.
I shook my head. “No. This is his other one.”
“He has two cars?”
“Yep, and a dirt bike.”
My dad grunted. “Can’t take the country out of the boy.”
“Guess not.” I rounded the car and dropped into the driver’s seat, my father filling the passenger and drove them to their new home. “Your cars arrived yesterday, and the fridge is stocked. So you can drive around and sightsee without having to worry right away about essentials.” My fingers gripped the steering wheel and turned down their street.
“I’d like to get settled first, Junie.” My mother sat with her hands in her lap, staring out the window with wide eyes. “This is a nice neighborhood. How are the neighbors?”
Pulling into the driveway, I parked the car and pointed to the neighbor on the right. “Mrs. Derby is around eighty years old and as sweet as pie. Her husband died last April.” I pointed to the left. “ And then you have Mr. and Mrs. Dawson. They like to dance at the YMCA on Tuesdays. I’m sure you two will get along well.”
My mother got out of the car, and my dad followed. “This is beautiful, Junie.”
I smiled, my cheeks burning. “I can’t take the credit. It was all Carter.”
“Where is he, anyway?” My dad grabbed his suitcase from the trunk and brought it to the front door.
“He had to work, but he said he’ll make it up to you on Friday. We are having a family dinner at his home, and he wants to invite you.”
“Oh, I don’t know...” Dad winced, his upper lip curling. “This is all so much activity right now. Having a family dinner—“
“That sounds wonderful.” Mom clapped her hands, and I opened the front door, allowing them to pass the threshold before me. “Oh, my... James, look at the detail on that crown molding.”
My dad leaned in. “I blame you, now. I won’t be hearing anything except how exceptional the detail is or what she wants to do next to the bedroom.” He chuckled.
“Oops.” I grinned from ear to ear, my mother’s happiness bleeding off and sticking to me. Stepping forward, I tucked my hands behind my back. “Would you like the grand tour?”
Mom nodded and walked into the living room, where the moving company set up their couch, TV, and two chairs surrounding a large stone fireplace.
“Junie—“
“Look at the vaulted ceilings,” Dad mocked.
I bumped into him and furrowed my brows, giving him a narrowed look. “Stop it,” I mouthed, my dad acting like a child teasing their sibling.
We wandered into the kitchen where I’d worked until eleven last night, getting organized.
“There’s so much space.” Mom opened cabinets and drawers, exploring her new kitchen, which was five times bigger than her last one.
I bent over and pointed inside the largest cabinet. “This is where I put your pots and pans.” I stood up. “Of course you can put them wherever you want.” I moved toward the door. “And this is your pantry. I put all your appliances in here so they were off the counter. ”
Last night, I’d picture her kitchen back in Avon and the things she’d left on the counter and matched it here, making it as if she never left her home.
“You did a wonderful job, Junie.”
She kissed my cheek, and Dad disappeared into the living room, plopping himself on the couch in his favorite spot that conformed to his rear end.
“Dad, did you want to see the bedroom?”
“I’ll get there soon enough, June-bug. I’m wiped.”
I glanced at Mom, and she rubbed my arms in a soothing motion. “He’s had a long couple of weeks, what with the move and all.”
“I know. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.” We turned and walked down the hall side by side and entered the main bedroom where I’d made up their bed, dusted the nightstands and lampshades, then turned down the comforter. “I’m really glad you’re here, though, Mom. It’ll be easier for me to take care of you guys and look...” I spun around. “No stairs. It’s all on one floor, so I don’t have to worry about you falling down the stairs and breaking a hip.”
She laughed and peeked her head into the bathroom. “We aren’t that old, Junie.”
“I know.” I settled on the edge of her bed. “It’s for when you are, though.”
Mom sat beside me, her hand on my knee. “Is he being good to you?”
“Yes.” I jerked back, the whiplash jarring and making my stomach sink. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just sudden, is all.” She pressed her lips together and withdrew her hand. “Then there was Ethan’s death. His family still doesn’t understand how an intruder could have killed him but allowed you to get away.” She jumped and put her hand on my knee again. “Not that I’m not grateful. I’d be devastated if I lost you, Junie. You’re my world.”
I cupped her hand and smiled. “Thanks, Mom.” I shrugged, my stomach eating itself away. “Maybe they weren’t after me.” Twisted on the bed, I drew my knee up, putting my leg between us. “He wasn’t a nice man sometimes, you know?”
“He was good to you, though, wasn’t he?”
Scoffing, I fiddled with the frayed edge of my jeans—her hand pulling back to her lap. “Not really, Mom. No.”
“Oh. The way he talked about you. I always thought he meant to propose.”
I laughed out loud. “Yeah, right. We had that conversation too many times. His excuse was always the same... ‘Now’s not the right time.’”
“I wish you would have told us.”
I gave a lopsided shrug and a contemptuous smile. “I didn’t want to hassle you with it.”
“Promise me you won’t keep it from me with Carter. He’s a nice man. He really grew up, didn’t he?”
Nodding, I swallowed. “Yes, he did. I got very lucky.”
Very lucky that he saw reason and didn’t murder me.
So lucky...
“I’m going to go. You guys get settled.”
“Thank you, Junie. And don’t mind your dad. He’ll come around.”
I stood and hugged her, then walked to the front door. “Bye, Dad. I’ll see you tomorrow to finish out the rest of the boxes.”
He waved, his face glued to the TV. Hanging my head, I glanced back at mom and walked out the door.
Some things never change.