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There is magic in these woods. I’ve never been one to believe in magic before, but I can’t deny the way something is calling to me from the woods around us. Logically I know it doesn’t make any sense.
“Home again, home again,” Tilly singsongs as we pull up to a massive mansion that appears out of nowhere in a clearing I wasn’t expecting from the dense surroundings.
“Holy shit,” I breathe out as I focus on the building and lean forward in my seat. I look at Tilly with wide eyes, my voice incredulous, “This is where you grew up?”
She shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but it is. It definitely is. Growing up, I got used to the kids with money treating me the worst. Our difference in stature and status was something they used to try and hurt me. I would get made fun of for my lack of new clothes or the wear that was obvious.
What they never realized was that I didn’t care about that materialistic shit. I had far bigger things to be worried about in my life, and what brand I was wearing never mattered to me. Tilly has never shown me that she cares about that kind of thing either, but seeing where she grew up is throwing me off a little bit.
“I grew up here, but this house isn’t just for me and my family,” she admits. When I give her a curious expression, she explains, “Everyone in the community is allowed to come here. It’s kind of the central hub of everything. There are a lot of spaces used for recreation and some people who live in the area will stay here at the house instead of having their own places.”
My eyebrows pull together in confusion. I swear, this set-up sounds more and more like a cult with every tidbit of information she gives me. I would not make a good cult member. I would ask too many questions or find it hard to believe in whatever the leader is preaching.
I’ve never been a good joiner.
But, for Tilly, I’m going to keep an open mind and not judge the people I meet while I’m here. I’ll do my best, at least.
When we get out of the car, we don’t even take two steps toward the front door of the mansion before it swings open and a woman who looks remarkably like Tilly comes barreling down the stairs. The woman collides with Tilly with an oomph which has my best friend giggling and wrapping her arms around the woman.
A man steps out onto the large, wraparound porch from the front door with an indulgent smile on his face. Everything about him screams power and the hairs on the back of my neck stands up straight. The way he walks down toward us, his eyes scanning his surroundings with an air of ‘don’t fuck with me’ reminds me of a predator surveying his territory.
“It wasn’t that long ago since I saw you last, Mom,” Tilly chastises the woman with amusement dancing in her voice.
“Oh please, you know that I barely let you leave to go to school. I hate when my baby girl is so far away from me. What if something happens?” The woman pulls back from Tilly, her grip firm on her shoulders as she gives a once over. Whatever she sees in her daughter has her giving a nod of approval. “It looks like you’re taking proper care of yourself at that school.”
Tilly rolls her eyes, but there’s no real annoyance behind the action. I can see the affection the two have for each other. A pang of longing pierces my chest.
What they have is something I’ve never experienced before. I’ve often wondered how different my life would have been if my parents didn’t abandon me. I realize that it’s possible my life would have been a lot worse, but what I can’t shake is the knowledge that things could have been better as well.
I would have known what the love of a family is like. I could have known what it means to have support, real support. Maybe I could have grown up knowing what comfort and affection was like.
As Tilly turns toward me and throws her arm around her mom’s shoulders, I shake those thoughts off. No amount of wondering or imagining a different life is going to change my past or the life I have.
“Mom,” Tilly pauses when the man comes up to her other side and kisses the top of her head because he’s tall enough to do that without it looking ridiculous, “Dad.” She flashes me a bright smile and I take a tentative step closer to the happy family trio. “This is my roommate and best friend, Elodie. El, these are my parents—Noah and Eleanor Ryan.”
I make eye contact with the couple and even though something screams inside of me to drop my gaze from theirs, I hold steady. I’ve never been all that comfortable with confrontation, but I’ve found a certain confidence in myself as I’ve gotten older. I’m not going to be a wet blanket in front of Tilly’s parents.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan.” They share a loaded look, one I don’t understand, with my greeting. “It’s nice to put some faces with all the care packages Tilly gets delivered to our place.”
Eleanor’s laughter is like sunshine on a cloudy day, and I find myself wanting to lean in closer to her. I stop myself, but just barely. “When Tilly told us how much you love the double chocolate cookies I send to her, I make sure to put a few more in for you.”
A smile spreads across my face as I nod eagerly; those cookies are delicious, but dangerous. My smile freezes on my face when Eleanor closes the distance between us and pulls me into a hug. It’s exactly what I would imagine a mom’s hug to feel like. It’s all warmth and happiness, comfort and acceptance.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Elodie,” she whispers, and it hits me square in the chest. I don’t think I’ve ever heard those words before; and isn’t that just fucking sad? “Tilly has told us so much about you. It’s wonderful that she was able to talk you into coming home with her this time.”
“I just didn’t want to impose,” I blurt and feel my cheeks heat up. I certainly was not planning to admit what held me back from joining Tilly for a break. Something about this woman has me willing to spill all my secrets. “And I know how important it is to her to have time with her family without having to entertain anyone else.”
“You would never be imposing,” Eleanor insists. She pulls back and holds me by my shoulders the same way she did with Tilly just moments ago. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away. “Elodie, you’re always welcome here. Tilly has claimed you as her friend which makes you family.”
“Thank you,” my words come out choked.
“What she says,” Noah reiterates with a smile on his face. I’m struck for a moment by how handsome he is. It’s clear that even though he’s older he still takes good care of himself. Hell, Eleanor looks damn good as well. “Welcome to our home,” there’s warmth in his voice that has me relaxing.
Maybe he’s not the charismatic cult leader that I was picturing him to be.
As we start heading toward the front door of the mansion, Noah tells Tilly, “Everyone knows that Elodie is here for the next week.”
I tilt my head to the side, curious about what that means. Why would it matter if everyone knows I’m here or not? Sure, it’s kind of strange, but considering the warm welcome I received, I’m going to let it go.
