“Yeah, I’m good, Dad.”
Even though Matt was my stepdad, he was my dad in every other sense of the word. He earned me calling him “Dad” way back in middle school and I haven’t looked back since.
I unbuckled my seat belt to join him outside. Maybe I just needed them here with me, to have their support to do this.
“OK, let’s get going, it’s cold out here and I want these cars emptied pronto.” He walked back to his car as he and my mom started taking bags from their back seat.
Stealing a few more seconds and a couple deep breaths, I finally pushed the door open and stepped out of my truck. The brisk air took me by surprise, and I noticed my breath escaping in white puffs from my mouth.
The drive was only a few hours, but my stiff legs and back definitely felt as though they needed a good stretch. Pulling open the tailgate, I pulled some of the boxes and bags from the bed of my truck and piled them onto the ground.
“Hey sweetie, how ya’ doing?” My mom put her hand on my arm as she came up next to me.
“I’m doing OK, Mom.” By this point, I was. Turning to look at her, so she could see I was being honest, I continued. “I mean it, I’m good.”
She smiled, a warm, real smile. Patting my arm, she started walking away.
“Hey, Mom,” I called out, running to catch up with her. “Head inside, it’s too cold out here for you.” I reached into my pocket. “Here, take the key. Lanie told me my room is on the second floor, on the left. I’ll start bringing things up and you can put them away for me.”
Her smile turned appreciative as she took the key from my hand and stepped toward the townhouse. I turned to my truck, and the heaviness in my chest lifted slightly with each step.
Maybe it was having my parents here, or maybe it was just finally getting to school that did it. But I was feeling better.
I felt like I could actually breathe.
“Logan,is there anything still in the car?” Matt asked as I came in from outside with a box in my arms.
“Your car’s empty, but there are a few things still in the back of my truck. One more trip should do it.” As I headed back out, I saw a familiar car pull up. “Better late than never, asshole!” I yelled as he was getting out of his car.
“I’m not late if you’re done unpacking your shit. That means I’m right on time.” Ty laughed as he walked over.
Our embrace was a big one. We were both excited I was back at BRU, even if we weren’t able to live together. I made my decision to return too late with nowhere to live. The fact that Lanie moved in with Xander, although for unfortunate reasons, was my luck and gave me her room here with her old roommates.
“Happy to see ya, man.” Ty gripped me tight as he patted my back. “Blue Ridge missed ya.” He pulled away, a grin plastered on his face. “I missed you, too.”
Ty and I were friends before we came here to college. Freshman year was when our friendship really changed; as roommates, we became closer. But that was also the year I really fucked up.
“Yeah, man, same, but no more sappy shit. Help me get the rest of my crap and come see my mom and Matt.”
Ty followed me to the back of my truck, and we grabbed the last of the bags I’d brought from home. Moving into a house wasquite different than moving into a dorm. We had furniture we had to bring and put together, which meant tools and shit.
“When will Becca be here?” I asked as we walked through the front door.
“She texted me about two hours ago that she was leaving. Shouldn’t be long now.” Ty turned toward me. “How do you think it’s going to be living with her?”
I had no idea how it was going to be living with my best friend’s girlfriend. It felt kind of weird, honestly. We were all friends before they started hooking up last year. However, now that they were together, it was weird that I’d be the one living with her.
“I don’t know, but I will say one thing. I’m thankful as shit that you guys worked everything out last semester. It would’ve fucking sucked if I was coming back to live with her and you guys weren’t talking or whatever shit you were going through.” I looked at Ty, and he had a small grin on his face telling me he agreed.
We reached the door to my room, and my mom and Matt were trying to figure out where to put my underwear.
“I think I can figure that one out on my own, Mom.”
Ty and I barreled into the room, arms full of bags and boxes, and I hoped she would take the hint.
“Ty!” she screamed as she ran to hug him. “Oh, it’s so good to see you. How is that baby girl of yours? She must be getting so big already. What is she, seven months by now?”
“That’s exactly how old she is, Mrs. Larsen. Great memory.” Ty’s smile was wide. “And she is getting big. She cut a second tooth over Christmas break, so the house didn’t get much sleep. But she’s great, thanks.”
