Nineteen
Amelia
Drivingthrough town brings on so many memories. Some bad, but most are good. I didn’t think I’d be home so soon.Homedoesn’t really describe this place anymore though, not since I’ve been living in Asheville. It took me getting my heart broken for me to find myself, make some amazing new friends, and figure out what I want to do with my life.
Mom and Dad are standing on the front porch when I pull into the driveway. How long have they been out here? It’s hotter here than it was in Asheville, and I never let them know what time I was going to be in.
“Oh, Mija,” Mom is hustling to my car before I even have the door all the way open. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Before I have a chance to respond, she pulls me out of the car and wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace. As much Aunt Lucia’s hugs help when I need them, there’s nothing like being in my mom’s arms. All of my worries disappear, at least for the moment. “I missed you to, Mom.”
“How is everyone? How’s Layla?” She asks, guiding me toward the porch. Dad’s covering his mouth with his hand, trying to hold in his laughter.
“Woah,” I laugh. “Slow down. I’ll be here all week. Let me say hi to Dad before you pepper me with questions.”
Rolling her eyes, she walks into the house. I throw my arms around my dad and squeeze. “Hi, Daddy. It feels like it’s been forever.”
“It hasn’t been that long,” he pats my head the way he used to when I was little. “We’re happy to have you home.”
“I’m happy to be home.”
He pulls back, eyebrows scrunched together. “Really? I figured this is the last place you’d want to be after… Well, after thatboygot to you.”
Dad was never Andrew’s biggest fan. Whenever he would come over for dinner, or hang out, Dad would act like he didn’t exist. I should have known then that Andrew was bad news.
“I’m good,” I nod. “My job back in Asheville is going great and Aunt Lucia helped me register for school in the fall.”
“I thought you didn’t want to do the whole college thing?”
Shrugging, I open the door to go inside the house. “If I’m going to own my own boutique store one day, I figure I need at least take some business classes so I can get started on the right foot.”
“I’m so proud of you, Mijita.” He closes the door behind us, blocking out the stifling heat. “I think your mama was hoping you’d change your mind and stay, but she’ll be happy for you, too.”
“It’s not like our family doesn’t get together at every possible opportunity,” I snort. “I’m sure you’ll still see me pretty often. Did you happen to get some boxes for me?”
“They’re in your room. You’re not going to start packing right now are you?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I’m going to annoy you and Mom as much as I can before I start in on it. I’m sure it’ll take me most of the week to go through everything.”
“Come eat,” Mom yells from the kitchen.
“This is why I keep gaining weight,” he pats his stomach. “Your mom won’t stop making food. I think it’s how she copes.”
“It must run in the family because Lucia isalwaysbaking. It’s weird.”
Following Dad into the kitchen, I take a seat at the kitchen table I’ve eaten so many meals at. It feels good to be home, listening to my parents bicker over ridiculous things, and feeling more like myself than I ever have before.
* * *
Everything at my old job is the same. There’s a teenager working behind the counter for the summer. She smiles as I walk into the store. “Hi, let me know if you need help with anything.”
“I will.” She reminds me of myself. Well, the me that existed before Andrew destroyed me and Randall helped put me back together. Only to ruin me even more. Falling in love wasn’t something I had in mind when I moved to Asheville. My plan was to be the surly girl that sticks to herself. Except the brown eyed guy that was a jackass as a kid reeled me in. Making me care about him, then shutting down when things got tough. One day it won’t hurt anymore. For now, I’ll wear that pain like a badge of honor. Connecting with him gave me the courage to figure out what I truly want. It’d be better if he was a part of it, but I’m not going to force him.
“Amelia, is that you?” I whip around at my name. Sheila, my former boss, is standing outside the dressing room with a grin on her face. “I was wondering when I’d see you again. Are you here to work again?”
“It’s so good to see you,” I give her a quick hug. “I’m only in town for the week packing some things to take back to Asheville with me.”
“Bummer,” she frowns. “I was hoping you were here to stay.”