Home For Christmas

“Are you going to say goodbye?” Paul asks me.

“I can’t. I’ve said too many goodbyes in my life already.” Maybe it’s selfish that I’m just going to slip out, but saying goodbye to everyone here will hurt more than I can bear. I still have to go to the graveyard and say my goodbyes to my grandma and dad.

Paul leans down and kisses the top of my head.

“Why not wait until tomorrow? The snow is really coming down out there.” I glance over at one of the giant windows where the Christmas lights are twinkling and see the snow starting to pick up.

“I’ll be careful. I promise.” I try to reassure Paul. He reluctantly lets me go and reaches into his pocket, pulling out his wallet to give me money.

“Paul, I’m fine, really. People here need that more than I do.” I push the money back at him. I don’t have a ton of money, but I still have some left over from Grandma’s estate that I never had to spend because of Vance.

It’s been years since I lost him, and it still hurts. I can’t find the will to move on. It might have been quick, and it may be my own memory clouding my heart, but it felt like my soul connected to his. That’s why I’m forcing myself to leave. Maybe a change will help me take the next step in my life. Whatever that step might be.

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.