I leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, pulling back and smiling, hoping for something in return. But again I received nothing. Disappointed, I walked away from him and out of the office. I made my way to the foyer where my bags were and grabbed my purse, cell phone, rolling suitcase and keys, and walked out the front door. My heart felt heavy but I hoped I would feel better—and a bit lighter—when I landed in Boise and saw my parents.

I drove my deep red Aston Martin Vanquish along the highway towards the airport. Despite my ability to avoid all things expensive, I had to have this car. It wasn’t available for purchase on the open market, but West had taken on a case for some European big wig and won, so he made them throw this car into the deal. I’d always wanted a red sports car and it was a total dream to drive. All sleek and sexy, the interior was fine black leather. It had too many buttons to mess with so I just drove the car, without caring what else it did.

I made my way through the Chicago O’Hare airport to their long term parking, making sure to hide my baby at the back so there was less chance of some idiot swinging their door out into her. Gathering my luggage, I made sure to lock up and took a shuttle to check-in.

After a two hour wait in the first class lounge, I boarded a United flight and found my seat. Part of the big deal about flying first class was being served crackers, cheese, and champagne. I wasn’t one to drink too much, but I gladly accepted the champagne to calm my nerves. I wasn’t sure if I felt nervous about actually going back home or some other reason. A reason I knew but didn’t want to admit. A reason I was hoping wouldn’t pop up at the last minute. Home held nothing but memories of Finn. Gulping down the rest of the champagne, I took a deep breath, popped in my headphones and turned on my iPod. Thank god for good music and short flights. Feeling tired, I hit the play button and ‘The First Time’ by Boys Like Girls came on. How fitting I thought to myself, as I dosed off before we’d even left the runway.

We landed in Boise about ten minutes ahead of schedule, which was good because I was more than ready to get off and stretch my legs. Nothing kicked off a weekend away from home like two screaming kids in coach, and a passenger behind me who—despite all the leg room you get in first class—couldn’t keep their knees out of my back.

After exiting the plane I walked down to the baggage claim and waited for my suitcase to come around on the carousel. I looked around at all the passengers and wondered if they were here to see family, there on business, or taking a vacation from life. If I were them, I’d choose the latter.

Spotting my bag, I hauled it and myself over to the Hertz car rental and after filling out all their paperwork, went out of the terminal and saw my car waiting by the curb. I smiled to myself because Weston would have shit his pants if he’d been given this small little Ford Escort. I didn’t need anything fancy or big since it was just me. After loading up the car, I climbed inside, adjusted all my mirrors, and started making my way to the highway headed east. I plugged in my auxiliary cord so I could listen to my music instead of the radio and started blasting All Time Low through the speakers. I loved this band and I was rocking out and singing at the top of my lungs.

Taking my time and driving the speed limit, about an hour and a half later I was finally pulling into Mountain Home. Looking around, not much had changed since I left. The Wal-Mart was still at the end of town and hadn’t been made into a Superstore thank god. I smiled as I passed the local coffee shop, Beans. That place held a lot of memories of after school study sessions, hanging out, and sitting on the plush purple couches inside holding hands with Finley. It sort of felt surreal being there again. I was overwhelmed by lots of good memories, and lots of memories I’d pushed away because they caused me pain.

My parent’s house was in the middle of town but it only took a few minutes to get there. Pulling into the driveway, I put the car in park and sat for a few minutes looking at my old home. Dad had apparently found time to fix the shutter that had always been hanging on by a nail, and was literally one gust of wind away from falling off. But other than that, the place looked exactly the same. The lights in the living room and one of the bedroom lights upstairs were on. Taking a deep breath, I opened my door, unloaded my bags and made my way to the front door. “Here we go” I whispered to myself.

The front door swung open and I found myself wrapped in my Dad’s arms. Richard Tucker was the most loving man I knew. He was about six feet tall, had a little bit of a belly, and a dark head of hair that is starting to go grey. I would never tell him that though or he’d spend the next two hours in front of a mirror examining every strand of hair. He wanted to remain young forever. Either way, I loved him with my whole heart and he’d always made me feel warm and safe.

“Oh baby girl, I’ve missed you so much.” He said squeezing me extra tight. It felt so nice.

“Hi Dad. I’ve missed you too. Where’s Mom?” I pulled back a little bit to look into his chocolate brown eyes.

“She’s fussing upstairs with your old bed, trying to make everything perfect. Don’t give her a hard time. Her baby girl is back and she wants it to still feel like its home for you.” He chuckled and I leaned forward to keep hugging him. I put my head on that perfect spot between his shoulder and chest where it fit snuggly. He brought his hand up and smoothed it down my hair. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing Dad, I just missed you that’s all.” I leaned back and gave him a reassuring smile. Then, hearing my Mom coming down the steps, we both looked up. She and I looked like sisters. Everyone loved Tessa Tucker. She was part of the quilting group in town and everyone said hello when she passed them in the street. My Mom was very caring, gentle, and had little laughter lines around her mouth and by her eyes because she was forever smiling.

“Emilyn, oh honey how I’ve missed you!” Mom came over and hugged me while I was still in my Dad’s arms so that it became a group hug. She kissed the top of my head and was about to say something else when the front door flew open. We all let go of each other just as Harper came in and saw us all.

“Two things”, she said holding two fingers up in the air. “Hooker, why haven’t you called or texted me yet? And why wasn’t I invited in this gross display of The Partrich Family love?” She was grinning ear to ear as she ran over and hugged all three of us. We just laughed at her. My parents were used to Harpers crude mouth and they didn’t fault her for it.

My Mom pulled away first and started making her way into the small galley style kitchen, while my Dad turned around and made a beeline for his old green recliner that he’s had for the past twelve years. Mom yelled, asking me if I was thirsty for anything, but I told her I was fine, and that Harper and I were going to head up to my bedroom to get settled before we headed out for the night.

The stairs going up to my room still creaked in the same places that they always had; something which made it almost impossible to sneak out at night when I was in high school.

Almost. I’d still had my ways.

The walls on the stairs held the same framed pictures of me from the time I was in preschool until I graduated. I still got embarrassed when people saw them, especially the ones from third until about six grade. If I said Harper went through a gangly phase, you should have seen me! I had glasses that covered the whole top half of my face, and braces. Oh and on a special night, you could have caught me with headgear before I went to sleep. I was definitely a nerd.