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Whatever happened wasn’t thanks to their parents, and that thought makes me even more grateful for mine. I may have struggled with accepting my mom’s bigger than life personality, but the older I become, the more I realize it was a blessing through and through.
I am who I am today because of her and my father. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Charlie
I stop off at our little local grocery store to pick up everything I’ll need to make dinner. As much as I love cooking, I tend to buy in small portions since I’m only cooking for one. Even when Andrew comes to town, we spend more time tangled up with each other than eating. I bite my lip, and goosebumps spread across my skin as I think of the times we’ve been together.
I let the thoughts of Andrew float away as I pull into my parking spot in front of my building. I should keep him to myself for now. I’m not ready to tell my parents about him. They’ll be overly excited, and Mom will surely push me to march down the aisle and become his wife. There’s a pang in my chest at that thought.
Do I want that?
I hop out of the car, pressing the button on my key fob to pop the trunk as I round the back. It’s quiet outside, always so peaceful here in Fraser. I always enjoyed our vacations here growing up. My parents enjoyed the break from the rat race of the city, but they were always anxious to get back after a few short days. Not me. I knew even then I wanted this to be my home.
Leaning over, I slip my hand through handle after handle of the grocery bags, determined to get everything in one trip.
“There’s my girl!” My mom’s voice reaches my ears before I even hear her feet moving across the pavement. She appears beside me with a proud smile on her face. Despite my struggles with accepting her as she is, I’ve always been her pride and joy. Not always her focus, but always her heart.
“Hey, Mom.” I smile. I’m so glad she and Dad are here.
She leans over to give me a kiss on the cheek and takes a few bags. “Let me help; Dad is inside relaxing and watching TV.”
“Good. He needs to take better care of himself.”
“Don’t you worry yourself now, Charlotte. Dad will be just fine.” Her tone is soothing. I want to believe he’ll be fine, but he’s my dad. Of course, I’ll worry at least a little.
With our hands full with grocery bags, it takes both our efforts to get the trunk closed.
“How was the rest of your day, darling?” Mom asks as we walk the short distance into my building.
“It was nice. Andrea had so many questions about you and Dad and my childhood. She had a different sort of upbringing.” I leave it at that as we reach my apartment door.
Just as I reach for the knob, the door swings open. Dad is there with a smile, and he takes bags from Mom and me.
“I would have come out to help had I known you had this many bags, sweetheart.” His deep voice soothes me. Oh, how I’ve missed hearing it.
“Mom said you were relaxing. We had this under control,” I say as Mom and I follow him into my small kitchen.
Dad places the bags he gathered onto the counter. Mom and I follow suit. The three of us put things away. Each of them ask questions as we do so everything gets put away how I like. I bought fresh salmon filets, asparagus, and golden baby potatoes to make for dinner tonight. I also bought some fresh fruit, breakfast food, quick lunch stuff, and snacks for Mom and Dad while they’re here.
“There was a breaking news bulletin just a bit ago. They uncovered a body in a shallow grave during the groundbreaking of a new apartment complex close to Berkley University,” Dad tells us while we put the last of the groceries away.
“Oh, no, that’s terrible,” Mom says.
“It is. The body was wrapped in thick plastic and has been taken to the coroner for identification. There’s speculation the body could be that of a young female student who went missing not far from there, but there were no leads until now.”
“I can’t imagine wondering day after day what happened to your child. She may have been an adult, but she’s still someone’s baby.” Mom shakes her head, her voice somber as she speaks.
Dad walks over and pulls me into a tight hug. “I’m thankful we’ve never had to know that feeling.”
He kisses the top of my head before releasing me. I have to fight my emotions for a moment. That’s very unlike me. I’ve missed my parents more than I realized.
A few silent moments pass as we move around the kitchen before Mom’s peppy voice lightens the mood. “What’s the plan for dinner, Charlotte?”
“Baked salmon with a lemon butter dill sauce, roasted asparagus with onions and mushrooms, and garlic smashed potatoes.”
“That sounds amazing, doodle bug,” Dad says with a big smile on his face.
