He nods, his face soft. “Yeah. Just… just wanna see the house.”
I nod back, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Me too.”
The house. My grandfather’s house. It was a lifetime ago that I last saw it. Six years, and I’m still not sure if I’m ready to face what’s inside. Or what it represents.
But there’s no turning back now. I can’t keep running. Not when Charlie’s depending on me. And I don’t know how much longer I can fake it.
I need this. We need this.
I slow the car as we approach the house, my heart racing in my chest. The gravel crunches under the tires, and I instinctively take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
The house looms in front of us like a shadow from another time, but as I pull up the driveway, something unexpected happens.
It looks… different from what I remember. It’s still weathered, sure, the porch still a little crooked, but it’s cuter somehow.
The wild roses Grandpa had planted all those years ago have wrapped themselves around the fence in a wild but charming tangle. The old shutters are still sagging, but the sun is casting a warm glow that makes everything seem softer. More… welcoming.
Charlie’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Wow, Mama! This is it?”
I glance over and see the wonder in his eyes. “Yeah, baby. This is it.”
Throwing the car in park, I take another deep breath.
Before I can even unbuckle my seatbelt, Charlie jumps out of the car, his sneakers kicking up dust as he runs toward the house.
I push open the door and step outside. The cool evening air rushes over me. The smell of earth and trees and grass has a pressure to it that I forgot existed.
Charlie stops just short of the porch and spins around, his eyes wide.
“Can I have the room with the big window?”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. “We’ll see, buddy. Let’s take a look inside first.”
He’s already trotting up the stairs, ignoring the sagging step near the top. The way he moves with such unshakable confidence makes my heart ache, but in the best way.
I follow him up, taking a moment to survey the porch. A few cracks here and there, a couple of empty flower pots. We’ll be staying here for a while after all.
I’m already thinking about what I could fix myself when I glance back toward the car, debating whether to grab a few things. But Charlie’s voice cuts in.
“C’mon, Mama!” Charlie calls from the door, full of excitement as he pulls at the old, creaky handle. “Let’s see. I want to see.”
I catch up to him, standing beside him in the doorway. The house is dark inside, but I can feel it. I can feel the memories, and for once, it doesn’t feel suffocating. It feels like… a home. A place where a new chapter could start.
The floorboards groan beneath our feet as we step inside, and I smile at the familiar smell of old wood and dust. I pause in the entryway, letting the silence settle around me.
The last time I was here, I was certain I was ready to leave Colter Creek behind for good. Now I’m back with a son who will never know the pain I went through when I walked out of this place.
“Look, Mama! The kitchen has a cool old stove!” Charlie says, breaking through my thoughts.
I look over to see him tugging the heavy wooden door open, revealing the kitchen. The oven, rusted and slightly beaten up, sits in the corner, surrounded by cupboards and countertops that have seen better days, but still have so much character.
Charlie’s eyes light up as he explores, and I can’t help but laugh as he opens every cupboard, inspecting them with the same enthusiasm as if he’s found a hidden treasure.
“You really like it?” I ask, standing in the doorway.
Charlie gives me a big grin. “I love it. Can we have a kitchen like this in our new house?”
I swallow hard again, pushing back the lump in my throat. “Well, I will definitely try.”
