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The sincerity in her voice had won me over. They really wanted to meet me.
Thanksgiving seemed similar to Liberation Day at The Society which was the day we broke away from the world that had been damned in order to follow the way of The Light. Only the necessary chores, such as feeding livestock, were required on Liberation Day. We’d meet at the community building to see reenactments from the grade-level children that told the story of our separation. It was a day we looked forward to because it meant rest.
The GPS on Aiden’s car showed we were heading through Missouri to ge
t to Kansas. We’d been meticulous in planning our route so that we didn’t come close to passing through Nevada, Missouri.
We came within fifty miles at one point. Knowing all the people I’d known as family were that close was weird. My past, my home, my previous life was less than an hour away. Matthew was that close. There was so much I wanted to share with him. He would’ve liked Aiden.
Turning into a neighborhood, the houses were large, more like gigantic. They reminded me of the sorority houses on campus—beautiful and stately. “This is a beautiful neighborhood.”
Aiden shrugged, obviously not enamored with the surroundings. “This is where I grew up, riding our bikes all through here.”
At the end of the street a huge house sat in the cul-de-sac. It was red bricked with black shutters. There were three chimneys. Pulling into the stone driveway, Aiden parked the car under a covered parkway that lead to the front door.
“Is this where you grew up?” I couldn’t even imagine growing up in a place like this.
“This is home.”
Aiden’s family had money. There were several kids on campus that flaunted it. Aiden and Brooklyn weren’t like that and it endeared me to them more.
The door opened and two people walked out. I assumed there were Aiden’s parents. Aiden looked like his father and Brooklyn looked like her mother.
“Are you ready? Mom’s been so excited to meet you.”
Looking over my shoulder toward Aiden, I saw warmth in his eyes. “I am. I’m nervous, but excited.”
He winked at me. “There’s nothing to be nervous about, sweetheart. They’re going to love you.”
Aiden popped out of the vehicle and I followed. Grabbing my hand, we made our way to his awaiting parents. They were watching us with adoration which only added to my nerves of doing something wrong.
Since everyone knew each other at The Society, there weren’t introductions except when new members arrived which was only occasional. In fact, in my nineteen years only five people from the outside world were ever brought in. Introductions had to be slow so as not to disrupt our way of life.
Barely making it to Aiden’s parents, Pamela engulfed me in a hug. Aiden let go of my hand.
“It’s so good to meet you, Kenzie. We’ve heard so much about you.” I wanted to squeeze her, but refrained. Besides Aiden, I was still adapting to hugging people I hardly knew. After a few seconds, I relaxed and embraced the hug.
There was one thing that could never be replaced—a mom’s love. How I hated The Society for taking Mom away before it was her time. They deserved to pay for their crimes. Since I’d found out, the anger hadn’t lessened, but grown. I tried not to let it change me from the person I was.
She pulled back and I missed the embrace. I know I sounded desperate . . . but it had been so long since my mom held me.
“It’s good to meet you to, Mrs.—“
Cutting me off, his mom responded, “Please call me Pamela. Kenneth and I want you to call us by our first names.” She batted her hand through the air. “None of that formal stuff.”
Kenneth came over and gave me a quick hug. His hair was neatly cut versus Aiden’s slightly disheveled look. “It’s nice to meet you, Kenzie.”
“You, too, Mr. . . . I mean . . . Kenneth.”
Pamela looked lovingly at her husband. It was evident they were a close family. “Sweetheart, will you get their bags while I show Kenzie her room?”
He kissed her cheek. “Yes, dear.”
Aiden gestured toward his father with his hands up. “I got it, Dad. We didn’t bring much.”
Patting him on the shoulder, Kenneth walked by. “Get Kenzie settled. I’ll get the bags.”
We entered the house. It was elegantly decorated like I’d seen in some of the fancier magazines at the library. The house was warm at the same time with the burgundy and taupe colored furniture. Climbing a huge staircase that was in the main entrance, we made it to the second floor. Family portraits hung on the walls. The hall was done in a dark wood floor with lighter distressed walls.
