“God, I wish you hadn’t moved so far away. If we were still in the same town, I’d make it happen for you one way or the other.”
“I appreciate that, and I miss you too. Now fill me in on the hot dates you have planned for the weekend.”
Sadly, I live vicariously through Taylor’s stories. She always has something new and exciting going on. When we were growing up, she was just like me. But while I chose to go to a Christian college, she attended a state school, which is where she tells me she got arealeducation. Since then, we’re practically polar opposites. But just because our beliefs are different doesn’t change the fact that I love her and the kind of person she is to her core.
By the time she’s done telling me about the date she went on earlier this week and the “total fucking hottie” she’s going out with tomorrow night, I’m pulling onto my parents’ street.
“Well, good luck, and let me know how it goes,” I say as I park in their driveway.
“I don’t need luck. I just got a new pair of four-inch heels, and they make my legs look a mile long.”
We both laugh and, for not the first time, I wonder if I had opted to go to the state school, would my life be different? Would I even want it to be like Taylor’s?
“Give me a call Sunday afternoon and tell me all about it.” I don’t have to bother telling her I’ll be busy at church on Sunday morning—she knows.
“Will do. Try to have some fun this weekend, okay?”
I blow out a breath. “Goodbye, Taylor.”
Her laughter rings until she ends the call. Shaking my head, I turn the car off and pull the key from the ignition, tossing it into my purse that sits on the passenger seat.
As I exit the car, my mom pops out onto the porch with a wide smile and a wave. I return both, and when I reach the porch, she pulls me into a tight hug. When I inhale the scent of the perfume she’s worn since she came into my life, a feeling of safety and security wraps around me.
For all my secret ambitions of being a more adventurous person, the truth is I love this feeling right here.
“How was your day?” she asks as she pulls away and runs her palm down my cheek as always.
“It was good. Same old.” Since we moved here, I’ve worked as a bookkeeper and administrator for a manufacturing company in town.
“That’s great, honey.”
She looks more tired and worn down than usual, and I hope she isn’t working too hard. Lately, her hours have increased from building up a large client list over the years. I guess that’s what happens when you’re a talented hair stylist.
“How are you? You look tired. Spending too much time at the salon?” I arch an eyebrow in question. She’s been known to overdo it sometimes when she’s booked up and someone wants her to squeeze them in. She’s never been able to say no.
She gives my shoulder a squeeze and opens the door to the house, motioning for me to go first. “No.”
I give her a look.
She giggles. “I promise. I just don’t have the same kind of stamina I used to. Guess that’s getting old.”
“Fifty-seven is not old.” I shake my head and go inside, setting my purse on the wooden table inside the door.
“Thought I heard your voice. Hey, sweet pea, how are ya?” My dad walks up from the back of the house.
My chest warms at the moniker my dad has called me since I was little.
He uses his cane for extra support, one arm out and ready to pull me in for a hug as soon as he reaches me.
My dad was in a car accident a few years back, and since then, he’s had to walk with a cane. He went through a couple of surgeries and physical therapy but never fully recovered—physically or financially. Which is why I use a chunk of my salary to help pay down the medical debt. They both hate accepting my help, but the truth is, it’s necessary if they want to be able to retire any time in the next decade.
I don’t mind. They spent so much time and effort raising me, and my religion has always taught me to help others. Who better to help than the two people I love most in this world?
“I’m good, Dad, how are you feeling?”
He envelops me in a one-armed hug, and I wrap my arms around him and squeeze. “Feeling good. Don’t worry about me.”
I roll my eyes as I pull away. He knows I’m going to worry about him no matter what he says. Some days he’s in quite a bit of pain. Depending on the weather, his joints may bother him, but today is a sunny June day with no clouds in the sky, so as expected, it seems like a good day for him.
