When the Past Walks Home. Draft One. (March 8, 2021)

I walked down the way, the street was long but I was almost there. I was almost, home? The word didn’t feel right, “home?” I said it aloud and it still did not sound right. It was supposed to be spring but the snowflakes biting into my face seemed to disagree with the weather stations. I reached the gate and walked up to the front door. I took a deep breath and knocked. 

I pulled the coat closer around myself waiting, ready for the interaction that was about to come. The door burst open.

“JACK!?”

“Hello Jesse.”

She took a step out of the door and closed it behind her. “What are you doing here?!”

“I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world.”

“But you haven’t spoken in years, what are you going to do?”

I cocked my eyebrow. “We talked two days ago when you asked if I was going to be here.”

She rolled her eyes and swore under her breath. “You know what I mean, you haven’t spoken to dad.” 

“I don’t know. I guess I was about to find out.”

“Well you weren’t supposed to be here for another three days. You can’t avoid dad till the wedding now, you know that right? ? ? Where is Lily?” She looked past me as if expecting to see them behind me. 

“She’ll be coming in three days, her mother has her right now. Are you going to let me inside?”

She grimaced and opened up the door, I followed her in and removed my shoes, it had been a decade since I had stepped into this house. As I followed her to the kitchen I asked, “where is dad?”

“Out.”

“How helpful.” She hopped up onto the counter and I leaned on the opposite cabinets. “So then where is Jeremy, I expected the groom to be here as well?”

“He’s at work right now, even though he has the time off. Lily is now in high school isn't she? And how is San Diego?”

I looked around the kitchen, all of the crosses and statues of Mary were still in their same place. A church's stained glass window was still in place of the kitchen window over the sink. 

“Warmer than Vermont, and thankfully not yet. . . God, this place hasn’t changed at all. I wonder if dad has?” 

“You have.” 

“I would hope so. Speaking of, are you ever gonna get out of this place?”

“I don’t think so, and just because you hated doesn’t mean we all did.” 

“I didn’t say I hated it, I was just never invited back.”

She jumped off the counter. “Damn it Jack, I missed you, your friends did too, grandpa and grandma do as well.”

“Dad disowned me! Why the hell do you think I thought anyone else would be different?” 

“No one expected you to go to college and get some girl in California pregnant then never come back. My opinion of you never changed when you became a dad. I still loved you, I still do.” 

“I’m sorry alright! But having your only parent call you a sinner and that he would never speak to again is not something you forgot easily. But it is something I am willing to forgive.” 

“Does that mean your coming home brother?” 

“I don’t know. But I know I am willing to move on.” 

At that moment I heard the door open and a man called out. “Jesse who's here?!” Fear welled up inside me, then peace as I let go of the past.