2. MJ
MJ
S weat trickles down my leg as I exit the freeway, heading toward my hometown.
I’m ready to be home after driving for three and a half hours and making only one stop halfway through.
Crawling down Main Street, I slow down my Jeep from highway speed, appreciating how the mid-afternoon sun illuminates all my favorite spots.
The diner on my right, next to the small grocery store, is bustling with people who are having late lunches.
There are one or two cars parked in front of Henry’s liquor store across the street, and a few more are at the gas pumps next door.
Next to Henry’s, Hal has his door open and if I looked hard enough, I could probably see Shannon wiping down the bar top, getting ready for the Friday night crowd.
I should have probably let her know I was coming home today but things have been a little awkward between us since I’ve been gone for so long .
The open grass area in the middle of Main Street forces me into the roundabout, but I can see the large projection screen being set up.
It’s the first Friday of June, which means Movie in the Park is being set up for the first showing.
Oakridge has many small-town events, but the Movie in the Park is one of my favorite events in the summer besides the Fourth of July Parade.
Before taking the exit that would lead to my parents’ house, I glance further down Main Street and spot cars parked along the street in front of the bookstore and coffee shop.
There’s no one behind me, so I take my time guiding my Jeep through the turn, trying to get a peek at the auto shop.
I can’t see much, just a few cars parked on the side of the road and then the small hill that leads to the bridge.
Past the bridge are more shops that cater to the tourists Oakridge sees in the fall and spring.
Although we don’t have a hotel in Oakridge, we are the perfect pit stop for tourists to get their small-town fix, just thirty minutes away from the large hotel in Cedar Bend.
I always loved tourist season because it brings so many people to our small town, but there’s something about coming home at the start of summer when it’s slow and quiet that pulls at my heartstrings.
Upon making the last turn onto the dirt road that will take me home, I appreciate the view of the mountains beyond Oakridge.
Rolling down my window I take a deep inhale of the fresh air.
The smell of pine which fills my nose is a welcome change compared to the smell of exhaust in the city.
When most people think of Arizona, they think of the southern parts filled with sand and cacti, but up here, we have mountains covered in pine trees and lush forests.
We even get snow in the winter months which keeps the creek nice and chilly until mid-July.
Smiling to myself, I pull into the driveway, my tires crunching the gravel beneath. My legs feel like Jell-O, and I almost fall out of my seat as I hurry to sink into my mom’s waiting arms. The wind whips her green dress around us, and I inhale her earthy scent that reminds me of home.
“My Peanut is finally home.” I squeeze her tighter and then step back as she places her hands on my shoulders.
“Let me look at you.” Shaking my head, I indulge her while also taking her in.
A golden glow emanates from her skin, and she wears her dark hair secured in a jaw clip.
Mom spends her days working as a hygienist at the local dentist’s office, but if you ask her, her genuine passion is gardening.
Fridays are her days off, and she’s likely spent most of her morning in her garden
“You act like you haven’t seen me in years. Just a few months ago, I was home after my spring break trip. And you just saw me at graduation last week!”
She scoffs. “First, you were home for maybe ten minutes after your trip to Mexico with the girls. Second, you were so busy during graduation that we didn’t get to spend quality time together.”
I laugh thinking about the whirlwind trip with my girlfriends that was supposed to be our last hurrah before graduation.
It was a fun time getting out of the city and away with them, but toward the end of the trip, I regretted not coming home to visit.
Honestly, I’ve missed my parents and this small town, especially after four years in a big city.
When I graduated high school, I felt like this place was stifling, and I was ready to spread my wings.
After four years away, I missed Oakridge and everyone here.
“Okay, that’s fair. But I’m home now for three whole months.”
She smiles and grabs my hand to pull me inside. “Come on, I already have lunch ready, and the fridge is stocked with Dr. Pepper.”
I tug my hand free from hers, laughing. “Let me turn the Jeep off so we’re not wasting gas.”
I run back to the car, pulling the keys out of the ignition. My bags and boxes filling the trunk and backseat are practically screaming to be unpacked, but my stomach is screaming louder. Ignoring my luggage, I close the door and head inside after my mom.
A few hours later, I’m sitting on my bedroom floor buried in clothes. Mom is sitting next to me holding up various pieces of clothing and tossing them into piles based on my head nods.
“You really should’ve done this before you packed, Peanut,” she says as she tosses a pair of pants I haven’t worn since I put on the initial freshman fifteen in the giveaway pile.
I shrug, continuing to fold and set aside the clothes I want to keep.
After graduation, it was a mad dash to pack up the apartment I shared with two other girls and have it ready to turn in our keys within a week.
Plus, there’s something about going through clothes in my childhood room with my mom that warms my heart. Man, I’ve missed being home.
My phone pings three times, and I look around my room, trying to locate it. Mom shakes her head with a chuckle and tosses another shirt into the giveaway pile before she uses my bed to help her up off the floor. She grabs my phone from somewhere on my bed and hands it to me.
“Here. Take some time to check those. I’ll be downstairs getting dinner ready before your father gets home.”
I smile up at her as she leaves my bedroom, and then I open my phone. Two new messages are in my group chat with my college roommates, checking in that they also made it home safely. My phone pings with another text that I tap into immediately.
Shannon: Girl, when were you gonna tell me you were home? I totally saw you drive by Hal’s earlier.
I laugh out loud. Busted . I knew I saw Hal’s door open and had a feeling she was in there.
Shannon is still my best friend, despite spending the last four years apart, but our relationship has felt a little weird since I’ve been gone.
I’m hoping we’ll be able to bridge the gap that’s grown between us now that I’m back home.
Me: Whoops!
Shannon: Yeah, whoops my ass! So when are we meeting by the creek?
Me: Funny you should ask. I was just thinking about when I can get out there to take some pictures. When are you free?
While I wait for her reply, I peek at the other message that came in.
This one is in the “Quad Squad” chat, which includes Blake, Austin, Mac, and myself.
Ever since Mac dropped out of school, it’s mostly been Blake and Austin sending memes back and forth with my occasional check-in.
I can count on one hand the number of times Mac has engaged with the chat.
Blake: Heard you’re back home! When are we hanging out?
Boy, does word travel fast in this small town.
I’m thankful for it though, because the gossip mill is how I stayed up-to-date with most of what was going on while I was away.
Mom had updated me regularly on our weekly calls on all she heard, confirming a few times what I already knew from Blake and Austin, who are back and working on opening a restaurant in town.
Blake has told me he enjoys cooking and, apparently, he’s good at it if the rumor mill is to be believed.
I’m not sure what Austin’s role is going to be with the restaurant though.
He’s always been the goofball of the bunch, but I love that they’re going into business together .
I wonder if they’ll be up for what I’m thinking and if maybe I can sweet talk Blake into finally letting me try some of his cooking. Shannon’s text pops up, and I glance at it before thumbing out a text back to the boys. It would be nice to see everyone at the same time if we can swing it.
Me: I mean it is Friday…
I’m hoping one of them will catch on to what I’m hinting at.
Blake: And tomorrow is Saturday?
Austin: Dude, she’s thinking a Saturday Grill and Chill!
I roll my eyes and chuckle at the name Austin has called our weekend hang outs by the creek, but he got where I was going.
Maybe I can get some girl time with Shannon before the boys show up and then have them in one spot for a few hours.
I move the conversation over to our big group chat aptly named “The Dream Team” and hash out the details with everyone at once.
Not a peep from Mac in either chat, but I’m not surprised.
Looking around my room now bathed in a soft glow from the sunset, I realize Dad should be home soon. I sigh at all the unpacking I still need to do, but once I hear the garage door open, I abandon my clothes and head downstairs.
The pictures along the wall are a blur as I barrel down to the main floor.
I hit the bottom of the stairwell, my hand squeaking on the wooden banister as I use it to propel my body toward the kitchen.
The heavenly smell of garlic bread hits my nose as I enter.
The house alarm beeps twice, and my dad pushes his way into the kitchen with his head of salt and pepper hair, looking down at his phone.
He’s in his work suit and his briefcase is in his other hand. “Daddy!”