Page 3 of Home Is Where You Are

“Thank you. You saved me from completely embarrassin’ myself in front of all these people,” I said, grateful I didn’t face-plant.

“You from around here?” he asked as we both stepped away from the conveyor belt and toward the exit of the airport.

“About two hours from here. You?”

I didn’t really care, but talking with this stranger staved my nerves as I was about to be ambushed by a slew of hugs from my mama.

“About the same,” he replied just as we reached the sliding doors.

The revolving doors opened, and we stepped out into the Texas sunshine. Taking a deep breath, I relished in how fresh the air smelled and the warmth of the sun against my skin. I missed the air here. Often, I would close my eyes as I laid on the grass at the college and imagine I was laying in one of the fields and taking in the smells and sounds of the quietness around me. Only, I wasn’t here, and something would always break me free of the thoughts I longed to take part in.

Humidity in Virginia wasn’t as bad as it was here in Texas. And in May it was ungodly hot already.

“Safe travels,” I said to him as we stood on the pavement in front of the slew of cars waiting to pick up travelers.

“It was nice meetin’ you. You sure you’re good to get to wherever you’re goin’?” he asked, genuine concern crossing his face.

“I’m sure. Thank you, though.” I smiled as I touched his arm to reassure him. I’d always been the type to reassure people through touch, even a stranger. I’d been warned numerous times I’d end up on an episode of some show about being kidnapped, but that was just who I was.

I pulled back, wary of invading his personal space.

“It was a pleasure meetin’ you,” he replied with a grin.

I smiled, nodded, and pulled my phone from my back pocket.

A message from my ex, the current thorn in my side, sat unread. I refused to open it. Refused to entertain his excuses.

I didn’t see my mom or dad or any of my siblings, and I didn’t know why any of them weren’t waiting for me at the exit.

I opened the text thread to my mom and sent a message to find out where she was.

Me: Mom, where are you? I’m at the exit.

The message said delivered then read almost immediately. Three dots appeared and then disappeared.

An email notification appeared at the top of my screen as I waited for her reply.

I’d been waiting for responses from the companies I’d interviewed with before graduation, and my hands shook as I clicked on the notification. The contents of this email would determine my fate. If I went back to Virginia, or if I stayed home to reevaluate my plans.

Mom: I’m so sorry. Your ride should be there any minute.

My ride? What in the world was going on? And why wouldn’t she just tell me who was picking me up?

Me: What do you mean? Who’s coming to get me?

Unlike the last message, my mom didn’t read my text immediately. I tapped my foot on the concrete and looked around for anyone familiar. I hated that she didn’t elaborate. I hated not knowing anything because I needed to be prepared. Call it a flaw, but having structure and well-thought-out plans calmed me, especially after everything that had happened to lead me away from here.

Without a response from my mom, I took a deep breath and clicked on the email notification.

Please be good news.

Just as I was about to read the contents, a familiar voice called out, thick in a Southern drawl, causing my heart to speed up in a way it hadn’t since I left.

“Hey there, butterfly.”

Goosebumps covered my whole body at just the sound, causing me to shiver even in the Texas heat. I knew I’d see him eventually. The town was too small. I’d just hoped I’d have a few days to get acclimated before I had to lay eyes on the man whose heart I broke four years ago.

I hope he doesn’t notice my reaction to him.