“Well, you see, I planned to stay the nighthere,with your brother. You know, ever since him and that girl broke up he’s been so darn mopey. Oh, I didn’t want him to feel all alone. You should really see this room they got him in, Lucille. It’s so fancy! It even has this nice recliner right next to his bed that I can sprawl out on. Oh, and the nurses are so sweet. They bring me these blankets that are so warm and?—”
I should’ve known she’d be with Boone at the hospital. It was selfish of me to think she’d be home waiting for me. I never even told her when I was coming.
She kept talking until I finally interrupted her. “Mom. Mom. Focus, Mom.” She paused. “Just tell me where the spare key is and I’ll get myself settled.”
She sighed. “Oh, fiddlesticks. I’m sorry baby, but I don’t have one.”
Breathe.
I rubbed my forehead and tried to remain calm. “You don’t have a spare key to the house?” I groaned, unsurprised. “It’s fine, it’s my fault for not letting you know I was coming. I’ll just head back to the neighboring town and stay at one of the hotels.”
My mother made all sorts of noises. “Oh don’t be so dramatic! I’ll just call Cooper and have him bring you a key.”
My face hardened. “You gave Cooper a key to the house? And you don’t have one yourself?”
Typical Mom. Always so trusting,
She giggled. “Well of course, silly! That man is like family and has been working on that ranch since your daddy was a little boy. Besides, he’s been taking care of the house while I take care of your brother. Now, just sit tight and wait for him. Oh, and your brother says hi!”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head with an annoyed smile. “Tell him I said hi back.”
“I will.” She got quiet. “Lucille?”
“Yes, Mom?”
There was a long pause. “I’m so happy you came home. We’ve missed you, baby. Get some rest, okay?” The call ended and I sat down on the porch steps. My head dropped and my chest filled with a heavy sadness.
I’ve missed you too, Mom. Both of you.
After a few minutes, my head slowly raised and I looked out into the distance, admiring the ranch. It had been such a long time since I sat on these steps and just stared into the night.Too long. And the longer I sat, the more I began to remember everything.
“No.” I abruptly stood. “Who the hell knows if Cooper is even awake? I’m not going to just sit here and wait. I’ll just find a way in myself.” My body turned with confidence, and I began to circle the house, looking for a way in. Unfortunately, everything was locked tight. “Damn. They didn't lock the house down this well when I was in high school.” I blew a strand of loose hair from my face. “Then again, that might bewhythings are more secure now.” I stepped back and noticed a loose screen on one of the front windows. “Aha. There.” My fingers tried to peel the edges of the damaged screen loose. I had to use my long nails to really grip the edge and pull. “Almost there,” I groaned. “Just need to get it to—” The screen suddenly popped free from the window and landed at my feet. “There! Now to just—” I reached down to lift the glass.
Just like in high school.
A man cleared his throat, loudly. I frantically spun around, kicking the screen. My eyes stopped as I noticed the burning tip of a cigarette. It took a second to see the man holding it. “Little Lucille.” He stood next to my car and snuffed the cigarette out.
“Who the hell is asking?” I asked as I raised my phone and turned the flashlight on.
The man walked closer, stopping at the base of the porch steps. “You know, it kind of hurts my feelings that you don’t recognize me.” His head tipped as he looked down at the window screen between us. “Especially after we damn near grew up together.” His eyes met mine and I nearly fell over.
No…it can’t be. Can it?
“Forsythe?”
What the hell is he doing here?
The corners of his mouth curled, and he looked back at the front window. “I find it hard to believe Ms. Nellie’s own daughter would have to break into her childhood home.”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I wasn’t breaking in.” I stomped my foot. “I just wanted to get inside and—” I stopped. “What the hell are you even doing here?” I raised the flashlight on my phone and pointed it directly at the man’s face. Despite how bright it was, he didn’t budge or shy away. He just stood there, staring back at me with that familiar face. A face I hadn’t seen since I was a kid. “It really is you, isn’t it?” He didn’t answer. “I thought you left. Why are you here?”
He tsked. “You never could accept that this place wasmyhome too, could you?”
I scowled at his response. “And you never could accept that you weren’t his son.” My words hit like venom.
Forsythe stood there and remained silent. It was weird seeing him again, wearing a faded black cowboy hat and dressed in a dark leather jacket with a tight black shirt that seemed almost too tight.
“Same ol’ Lucille.” The old silver spurs along his boots clinked as he walked onto the porch. “You may look different, but you’re still the same.” I noticed his thick beard was dark with silver streaks and wondered if his hair under that old hat was the same.
