“I missed you, little sister.”
“Five minutes, Ford Gregory.” She laughs. “You’re five minutes older,” she says, as I’m placing her back on her feet.
“Five minutes is five minutes, little sister.” I kiss her on the cheek and then move to my mother, lifting her in the air, minus the spinning.
“It’s good to have you home,” Mom says. I can hear the emotion in her voice. I don’t know if it’s the rawness of my feelings for Shayne and having to leave her, or if it’s just that I missed my family that much, but I’m fighting with emotion yet again.
“It’s good to be home,” I say, releasing her.
“Son.” My dad’s deep timbre greets me as he pulls me into a tight hug. “Good to have you home.” He passes me off to my grandparents, and somehow, I end up with my arms around my mom and my sister by the time it’s all said and done.
“Chad, good to see you,” my dad says.
“You too, sir,” Chad says politely.
“Hey now, none of that. You’re on leave, relax.” Chad nods.
“I’ve got dinner ready. I made homemade pulled pork barbecue and all the fixings,” Mom explains as we all file back into the house.
Chad and I tell them stories about the guys and us while deployed, and my family catches me up on everything I’ve missed while I’ve been gone. While I still miss Shayne, it’s really fucking good to be home.
“What kind of mischief did the two of you get into this last week?” my sister asks.
“Nothing much,” I say before Chad can answer.
“Come on now. You can do better than that.” My sister Faith gives me a pointed look.
“We went to the bar where Chad’s cousin Shayne works and had a few drinks. It was pretty low-key,” I admit.
“Oh, Shayne.” Faith looks at Chad then back to me. “Is he cute?” she asks just as I’m taking a drink of my sweet tea. My mom makes the best sweet tea.
“Yeah, she’s cute,” I admit, not even trying to hide my smile.
“She?” Mom and Faith ask at the same time.
I nod. “Shayne is a she.”
“I love that name.” Faith smiles. “And by that grin you’re sporting, I’d say you and Shayne are…special friends?” My sister winks.
“She’s incredible. I really think that all of you would like her.”
“Wow.” Faith sits back in her chair. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
I shrug. “She and I spent a lot of time together this last week.”
“What? Did he leave you high and dry?” my sister asks Chad.
“Nah, I was catching up with family and friends. We all hung out as a group a lot, and my little sister, Cassie, too.”
“Well, don’t worry.” Faith gives Chad a saucy look. “I can keep you company while the two of you are here.”
“Faith!” my mom scolds her, but there’s no heat in her tone. Faith has always made it a point to flirt with my friends. Not that I blame her. I started it by hitting on her best friend when we were in high school. She’s never let me live it down. Although, from the look in Chad’s eye right now, I’d say that he’s not the least bit put off by my sister’s flirting.
After Mom and Faith wave us away when we offer to help clean up, Chad and I grab our things from the rental and carry them inside. He’s sleeping in the guest room while I take my old childhood room. It feels weird to be sitting here on this queen-size bed staring at my childhood. It seems like a thousand years ago when it’s been three. It’s funny how time away from home changes you. I feel like a different person, but somehow this place still feels like home to me.
It’s just after eight when my phone rings. The ringer is up as high as it will go, and my phone is clutched tightly in my hand. I’ve been waiting on this call. I wasn’t expecting her call until after her shift at nine, but I’m not going to complain that I get to talk to her sooner rather than later.
“I’ve gotta take this,” I tell my sister and Chad. We’re sitting out back around the firepit, much like the first night home at Chad’s place. We’re both just small-town boys at heart.
“Is that her?” Faith asks excitedly.
I hold my hand up, waving her off as I swipe at the screen, placing the phone to my ear. “Hey, you.”
“Ford!” Faith says much louder than she needs to.
“Hi,” Shayne replies, and my body relaxes into the Adirondack chair I’ve been holding down the last hour or so at the sound of her voice.
“Let me say hi.” Faith stands and tries to take the phone from me.
“Stop it, brat.” I laugh, turning away from my sister.
“Do you want me to let you go?” Shayne asks.