- 07.
my face.
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My train home was scheduled for tonight.
Leaning back in the cramped seat, I thought about how I’d convinced myself I had nowhere else to go.
But then my brother’s text came through, asking if I’d managed to get a ticket.
I snapped a picture of it and sent it to him. Sure enough, when the train pulled into the station, I saw him waiting for me in the middle of the bustling crowd.
The first thing he said when he saw me was, “Where’s your luggage?”
“There wasn’t much to bring,” I replied.
“So, how long are you staying?” he asked again.
I hesitated for a moment before answering, “I’m not leaving.”
“I quit my job in Bridgeport. I’m staying here from now on. I’ll find something simple and quiet, stay close to Mom, and live out the rest of my life here.”
He looked like he wanted to say something, but after glancing at my tired face, he decided against it.
I slept the entire way home.
When we arrived, I realized that the place I remembered had completely transformed.
The old rundown apartment complex was gone, replaced by charming houses with neatly trimmed lawns.
In the yard of one of them, my sister–in–law was picking vegetables while keeping an eye
on her two kids.
When she saw me her face lit un with a warm smile.
22:18 Fri, Jan 10 G.
In the yard of one of them, my sister–in–law was picking vegetables while keeping an eye.
on her two kids.
When she saw me, her face lit up with a warm smile.
“You’re back! Come in and rest for a bit–your journey must’ve been exhausting. Dinner’s almost ready.”
She turned to the kids. “Go get your aunt a glass of water.”
The two little ones rushed over, tumbling into my arms with giggles.
One handed me a glass of water while the other brought me a freshly washed apple, pressing it insistently into my hand.
“Auntie, eat!”
After years of drifting from place to place, this simple warmth felt overwhelming.
I bit into the apple–it was crisp and sweet.
Looking around, though, I realized something was missing.
“Where’s Mom?” I asked my brother.
My nephew, always quick to speak, answered before he could.
“She’s upstairs in her room. She’s always in bed–she never comes downstairs anymore.”
My heart sank.
I rushed upstairs, and there she was, lying in the middle of a large, sunlit bedroom.
Her frail body barely made a dent in the mattress. She didn’t even open her she heard me come in.
eyes
when
Instead, she muttered, “You’re lying to me again, aren’t you? Telling me Emma’s coming home, like you do every year. But she never does.
“She probably never will.
“I know she’s still mad at me for what happened back then… and I don’t blame her. It was my fault…”
Tears streamed down my face as I choked out, “Mom.”
Her eyes snapped open, and they immediately filled with tears.
“Emma…”
I threw myself into her arms, and in that moment, I realized just how much had changed over the past seven years.
And just how much I’d missed.
As we sat down to dinner, my brother hesitated, clearly struggling to find the right words.
years that
Finally, he said, “Mom’s health has been getting worse. She’s been saying for year she wants to see you settle down–start a family.”
I cut him off before he could continue.
“Is there anyone you’d recommend?”
He froze, clearly not expecting me to agree so quickly.
His stunned expression was almost comical, but before he could respond, my sister–in–law jumped in.
“There’s a new guy at my office. He’s kind, steady, and single. Want me to introduce you two?”
“Sure,” I said with a nod.
She hesitated, testing the waters. “Maybe you could exchange numbers first?”
“No need,” I replied. “Just set up a meeting.”
