Moonshine(60)

“Nope, just home,” I said as I snuggled under Moon’s arm.

The drive was nice and peaceful and I was really excited to see home when we pulled in the driveway. It had been so long since I had walked through that front door, but it was going to be even longer because I had someone to see first.

When I opened the car door, I looked across the street to Moon’s house. “Is she home?” I asked Moon.

“Yep,” he nodded grabbing my bags. “Go on, I’ll take your bags to your room.”

“Mom, Dad, I am going to go over and see Lisa for just a minute. I’ll be back in little bit.”

“That’s fine. Tell her I said hello,” Mom called over her shoulder as she walked inside the house.

I stepped up onto Moon’s front porch steps. I stood there for a moment trying to decide if I wanted to knock or just go right in. I hadn’t knocked on their door in years because I was never a guest. This was my home too. In one of Moon’s last letters he had told me that his Mom knew about what happened with his dad. He said he didn’t think that I would want to tell her and he felt like she should know. She loved that man with her whole heart and I didn’t have the guts to tell her, and if he hadn’t done it she still would not know. I paced in front of the door for a minute before I decided to let myself in.

When I opened the door, I heard Lisa calling out from another room. “Ryker honey, is that you.”

“No, it’s me,” I called out.

I saw her tiptoe around the corner and as soon as she caught sight of me she came running. “Oh Shine, it’s so good to see you,” she wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so sorry.” She stepped back keeping both my hands in hers.

“It’s okay Lisa. Can we sit down?”

“Of course, come on.” She led me into the living room and onto the couch. “You look really good,” she was struggling not to cry and so was I. I really missed her.

“I’m sorry, Lisa. I never got a chance to tell you, but I am sorry for your loss. I wouldn’t have been able to tell you that a few months ago, but I am nearly healed now and I feel like I owe you that. You have been my other mother my whole life and I don’t want to lose you. I hope that you are not mad at me.”

“Oh honey, I am not mad at you. I love you just like you were my daughter. I hate what you had to go through. I feel so guilty and ashamed. I’m so ashamed.”

“Don’t be ashamed. I am gonna be okay. Turns out I am a pretty strong woman.”

“Yes you are. I still want to apologize to you because someone should. I’m so sorry, Shine.”

“I accept your apology and I just want all of us to move on. Will that be okay?”

“That will be wonderful.” She hugged me again. “Ryker said that the two of you were gonna move in together very soon.”

I smiled. “Yes, we are. I am so excited. I love him so much.” I admitted.

“I know you do. He loves you too, and I couldn’t be happier. You kids belong together.”

“Forever,” Moon said from the doorway.

“Hey you,” I said.

“It’s nice seeing my two favorite girls together.” He grinned. “Listen, I don’t know if you feel up to it but Josh and Katie are at the Mill, they really want to see you. We don’t have to go. I know it will be hard for you to go back there so I understand,” I cut him off.

“Okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. Let’s go.” I wanted to see my friends, my real friends. “Thanks for the talk Lisa,” I kissed her cheek.

“You’re welcome, Sweetheart. I’m glad your back. You come see me later this week, and I will cook you up something good okay?”

“Yes ma’am. Oh, Momma says tell you hi.” I said as Moon and I walked out the door.

“Tell her I said hello, you kids be safe.”

“Be back later Momma,” Moon said.





To be honest it was so nice to see my friends. I didn’t realize that I missed them so much. Katie didn’t stay long, but she wanted to tell me that she was moving away in a month. She was supposed to start Arizona State in the fall. I was so excited for her. I promised her that the two of us would get together before she left. I told her that I had a special going away present for her. I couldn’t wait to give her the earrings. When she asked me about college I told her I wasn’t sure yet. It wasn’t the highest thing on my list of priorities at the moment. I figured that I would take my first semester off and then start college in the spring. I still didn’t even know what I wanted to major in.