Page 13 of Finding Home
On the mantel in the living room, there are several pictures of me with my grandparents. Right in the centre is one of Grandpa and me in a small cove up the lake that he’d take me to. It was always quiet. He’d take me after a disappointing call with my mother, or when I was particularly frustrated with something.
I miss the hell out of Grandpa, and I’m going to do everything I can to take care of Grandma because that’s exactly what he’d have wanted.
EIGHT
CHLOE
“Good morning,” I singsong as I walk into my parents’ kitchen, where Dad is sitting reading the paper and Mom is standing at the counter measuring flour into a bowl.
“Morning, Sweetheart,” Mom says as I kiss her cheek before rounding the kitchen table and wrapping my arms around Dad.
“Hi, Daddy.”
He pats the top of my arm, and I squeeze him again. I’ve always been close with my parents. They were always there for Grayson and me when we were growing up. Even when things got bad, they were there to guide us through instead of trying to punish us. I always felt safe with them, and I think that’s why I came home after school. Not just realizing I disliked the city, but also how much I missed my parents and that feeling of home.
“Hi, baby girl. How are you?”
“I’m good,” I say, kissing his cheek before grabbing my apron from its usual spot and throwing it on. “How are you feeling? Have you been following your diet and getting your exercise?”
Dad looks at me over the top of his paper. He doesn’t like all of us fussing over him since his heart attack. Mom’s mentioned not only Grayson has called and checked in, but Hannah has, too. Add in Mom, and he constantly has someone asking how he’s feeling or making sure he’s following his doctor’s orders.
“Yes, dear.” He folds his newspaper and puts it on the table before giving me his full attention. “How was the first week back?”
I smile. Dad’s always made sure that when we talk he gives me his full attention so I know he cares. No matter how busy life gets or what’s going on, he wants to know what’s going on with me and wants me to know I matter. I give him my full attention in return, pushing myself up on the counter and crossing my legs at the ankles.
“Good. They’re all super excited to be back in school. We’re just getting into the swing of the things, but I think it’s going to be a good year.”
He nods. “Have you talked to Grayson? I know he was wanting to know how it went.”
“Yup. Called him after school on Friday. It was a short call, him and Hannah were working night shift, so he didn’t have a lot of time.”
“Hopefully they get off those night shifts soon,” Mom says. “I know your brother hates them. They seem to eat at him more than the morning or day shift.”
I make eye contact with her and say, “Hannah,” and that’s all she needs to smile and nod, knowing how head over heels he is for his new wife. We both know the entire reason he started working night shifts was because of her and wanting to spend as much time as he can with her.
“So, what are we making this morning?” I ask Mom as Dad focuses back on his paper.
“We’re doing a double batch each of chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. I heard Beau’s back in town and thought that boy needed some of his favourite cookies.”
I gnaw my lip. Mom’s always been one to help take care of everyone in town. Cooking and baking for families in need and always being there to support people when they hit hard times. As much as I feel for Aspen and how Beau did her wrong all those years ago, after seeing him on Friday, I can tell his time in the service was not a walk in the park. Now that he’s home, he’s going to need all the support he can get.
I push off the counter and stand beside Mom. “Tell me what todo.”
Mom and I work together effortlessly. Sharing ingredients and talking as we make large batches of cookies. Mom tsks me when I snag a bit of raw cookie dough, but when I grin widely, she shakes her head and continues shaping the balls of dough.
As we’re packing the cookies into containers, Mom asks, “So, what are you going to do now that Beau is back? I’m assuming Diane’s asked for the studio back for him.”
I nod. “I’ll figure something out. She mentioned something about him camping for a couple weeks, wanting to be by himself. I’m hoping to find something before the end of the month. It’s supposed to be temporary; James is working on building his house now.”
“You can always come back home.”
I shake my head. “As much as I love you and Dad, I need to be out on my own. I’m sure something will pop up.”
“Okay. As long as you know your room here is always there for you,” Mom says.
I wrap my arms around her and lay my head on her shoulder. “Thanks, Mom.”
She pats my head, and I release her. She stacks three tins and hands them to me. “The top two go to the fire station, and the bottom one is for Beau.”
