Home For Christmas(3)

He pulls me back in for one more hug before letting me go. “You can call anytime. We’ll be here.”

I smile at him before I turn and walk out into the snow. It’s coming down a lot heavier than it was forecast. I hop into my little car and the cold air cuts through my skin. I pull my coat even tighter around me.

I crank my car up and pray for the heat to kick on. When it finally does, I take one last look at the shelter. I close my eyes and for a moment I think about my first kiss there, with Vance. I remember it one final time before I make myself pull away from the curb.

I hate going to the graveyard. It always makes me feel so lonely. It’s worse now that Grandma is gone. I really have no one anymore. As I get close to the cemetery my tears start to flow for everything I’ve lost and am leaving behind. My tears turn to sobs as I think of Vance. I try to slow down, but my tears are coming too fast and I can’t breathe.

The snow is coming down too hard and I think I see something in the road, so I hit the brakes. But the road is slick, so my car starts to slide. I try to steer, but I have no control. Panic rushes through me and I know I’m headed for the ditch. I’m not on a busy road, and the snow will cover my car quick. I scream as I go off the road and a loud metal crunch fills my ears before everything goes dark.





Chapter 2





Vance





The sight of my father and brother in front of me is indescribable. I hoped for so long that this day would come and now that it’s here, I’m so full of emotions that I can’t speak. Relief and love flood me as I drop my bag and run to my brother. I wrap him in my arms and he does the same, embracing for the first time in years.

“I thought you were dead,” he sobs, and I just hold him tighter. There’s so much to say, so much to talk about, but right now I just need to hold everyone.

I look down at my father on his knees with his eyes glued to my mother. He’s looking at her as if she’s a ghost. His face is white and his mouth is open. I let go of Hunter and reach down, pulling him up. I wrap my arms around him, and feel some of his strength return.

“She’s real, Dad. You’re not dreaming,” I say to him because I think he might be in shock.

I look over as Hunter lunges for our mom and wraps her in his arms so tight he lifts her off the floor. She’s crying now, too, and so is Hunter.

“I knew it,” my dad finally whispers. “I always knew she was still alive.”

He hasn’t taken his eyes off her, but he hasn’t made a step toward her yet. I watch him, a single tear rolling down his cheek as he takes in Hunter hugging her. It’s an emotional moment and I knew it would be. This has been a long time coming, and Mom and I are glad to finally be home.

“Mom, this is my wife, Autumn,” Hunter says. “We have two kids. We live next door.” He runs his hands through his hair as the words tumble out. “Charlie is sleeping, our daughter Ariel is somewhere. We named her after you. Oh god, so much has happened.” Hunter puts both hands to his head now like it’s spinning. I can only imagine what they’ve been through since we’ve been gone.

“We’ll explain everything,” my mom says as she looks to my dad.

Silence falls, and as much as I hate what I’m about to do, I’m going to do it.

“I have to go,” I say, and all eyes are on me. “I know you don’t understand what’s happened or where we’ve been. And as much as I want to stay, I have to go. But I swear to you that I’ll be back.”

“No,” my dad says, finally taking his eyes off my mom and looking at me. “You just walked in the door after five years of us thinking you were dead. You think I’m going to let you leave us again? We had a goddamn funeral, Vance!” he shouts, and I know he’s hurt and confused. But he has to understand. I have to make him understand.

I hug him close and feel some of the anger leave him. I kiss him on the cheek and then pull back to look at him. “I love you, Dad. But I’ve been away from my girl for five years, too.”

It takes him a second, but after a moment something like understanding passes between us.

“All right. But I want you back here tonight.” He brings his hand up to my cheek. “I want everyone in this house tonight. Together.” He looks over my shoulder and to my mom. “I’m going to have a long talk with your mother.”

I nod in agreement and then walk over to Hunter. I give him another hug and then walk over and pat Autumn on the arm. She hasn’t said a word the whole time. She’s stood frozen like a statue with her mouth wide open. Hunter walks over and wraps his arms around her, and still she doesn’t move. It’s actually kind of funny.