Walk the Line (Kings of Chaos 5)

“I’m going to try. My license is good, I’ve been reading up on advances, and I have an appointment to meet up with an old friend who has her own practice when I get back.”

“Really?” she asks excitedly.

“Yes, do you remember Ms. Julie?”

“I do! She always gave me peppermints.”

“That’s her.”

“I’m glad. You loved it, Mom, and you were good at it. Your patients always looked at you the way I’d imagine someone would an angel. I remember thinking, I want someone to look at me that way when I grow up. It’s part of why I choose this degree. I get to help people one on one. There are few things more important than the ability to speak when it comes to being able to communicate.”

Her words fill me with pride. “That’s very true, and I’m proud of you for going after your dreams.”

“How could I do anything else after watching you do it for years? Are you ready to get the playlist going?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m naming you the D.J. for the first leg of the journey.”

As the sound of pop music comes over the speakers and California becomes an image in the rearview mirror I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I roll down the windows, let the wind play with my hair, and just breathe.

***

As we pull into the tiny town where I was born and raised, my soul rejoices. It’s our last stop before we reach our final destination. I drive down the familiar streets, marveling at the way things haven’t changed. In California thing are constantly closing and opening. It’s reassuring to return to the slower pace and all the memories I have associated with my cozy town where I was taught right from wrong, made to play outside and shaped into the woman I am now.

“It hasn’t changed at all,” I whisper.

“That’s one of the things I like most,” Whitney whispers. “I mean, California has nice weather, great food, and tons of festivals, and cool cities. But it’s always so fast paced, and superficial. I chose Virginia because I wanted to get away from that. I want to focus on my degree and figuring out who the hell I want to be in four years when I’m expected to be an adult.”

“You don’t think you can do that back home?”

“Not when everyone knows who I am and what— What happened.”

“I understand.”

“Have you thought of coming back home, Mom?”

“No. My life’s in San Diego. Maybe after I get some time on the books again I can think about transferring, but at the moment my business connection are all there, and I’m going to need every one of them to get my career off the ground again.” I drive by the small white church where I spent every Wednesday for Sunday School and Sunday during the summer and smile.

“And Jagger?”

“Yes, he plays a part in my decision too, but only a small one.”

“Hmm.”

I shake my head and let it go as I pull into the driveway. My mom steps out on the porch, and suddenly I’m fighting back the tears as I put the car into the park. I unbuckle my seatbelt, hop down and rush over to the arms that held me when I scrapped my knee, had my feelings hurt, and experienced my first heartbreak. I inhale her vanilla scent and hug her tight as she kisses my cheek.

“Hi, my baby.”

“Hi, Mama.”

“It’s been too long since I saw you last.”

“I know, Mama.” It always hits me when I’m with her again how few and far between our visits are. I’m changing that now. There’s no one else’s schedule to consider but my own. I step back and let Whitney take my place.

“Hi Nana,” she says brightly as they hug. It always does me good to see the generations of my family together.

“Hi, baby. You look so grown up I hardly recognized you. And now you’ll be closer. I can’t wait to spend more time with you.”

“You two grab your bags and come on in. I have the guest room and your old room ready. Dinner is warm and on the stove.”