Page 6 of The Way Home
Looking back over the last few years, I couldn't recall a time I was happier than when I lived here. Well, one summer in particular. A summer I hoped would last forever, but it would never go back to how it was.
“I could be happy here.”
The most challenging part would be dating. Of course, I didn't really date. It was more about hooking up, though I would like to have a relationship. In my innermost heart, I dreamed of having a committed partner to share a life and a home with, but in practice, I rarely saw the same person twice. I kept things casual, because there was really only one person I wanted more with.
What was the dating pool like here? It had been accepting enough growing up, but were there many queer folks hiding in the woods or living in nearby towns? Being pansexual gave me more options, and I was pretty open to any gender when it came to sex, but when I thought of forever, it was always a man I envisioned at my side. One man’s face in particular. A face I'd tried and failed to erase with each sexual encounter, though it was harder to erase someone who was still so present in my life.
A clap on my shoulder pulled me out of my thoughts. “I gotta tell you, when I saw your name show up on the list of applicants, I was ecstatic. We’ve still got your CIF trophy in the office. Do you want to see it?”
I smiled, feeling the butterflies subside. “Yeah, that would be great, thanks.”
Gary held the door open and led me in. For the next twenty minutes, we reminisced over my varsity years, winning the championship, and the celebration the town threw for it. One of the things I missed about Stony Creek was the way the town came together for all sorts of events. If there was something to celebrate, they did. Parades were a huge part of my childhood. They did parades for anything they saw fit.
By the time I left, a soft smile stayed on my face. Principal West told me he had to approach the interview process as unbiased as possible, so I wasn't a shoe-in, but I felt a lot better. Better than I had in a long time.
Driving up the road to the cabin, I was happily singing to the radio, feeling a sense of contentment at being back. The sensefollowed me the entire way until I pulled up to the cabin and saw a car I didn't recognize.
“What the hell?”
I sent a quick text to my dad.
Me: Hey, Dad, did you rent out the cabin?
Dad: Not that I know of, why?
Me: I just got here and there's a car parked outside.
Dad: (shrug emoji)
Me: Thanks, so helpful.
Dad: I wouldn't worry about it.
What? How could I not worry about a stranger being in our home, and he was acting like it was no big deal.
Me: Ok, but if I end up onDateline, just know you had a chance to do something about it.
Dad: I'll be sure to record the episode.
Me: (middle finger emoji)
Dad: (laughing emoji) Enjoy your time, love you. Oh… and play nice.
My brows pinched in confusion as I pocketed my phone. “Play nice?” So hedidknow something? What was he up to?
Well, if he wouldn’t tell me, I was going to find out for myself. I grabbed my steel water bottle and wielded it like a weapon, charging out of the car and toward the cabin. Through the closed screen, I could see the front door was wide open. I tightened my grip on the bottle, ready to swing away if I needed to, and opened the screen door, calling out, “Hello? Who's here?”
To my surprise, I heard the shower going.
“What in the Goldilocks fucking hell?” I walked slowly down the hallway and took a quick peek into my room, trying to make sure I wasn't going to get surprised by anyone. What if the shower was merely a distraction, and they were lying in wait to jump me?
My room looked clear, completely untouched, and I continued on. As I crept toward the bathroom, my heart beat wildly in my chest. When I reached the closed door, I took a breath and braced myself to go into fight mode. I might not have been tall, but I spent a lot of time working out and strengthening my body. I felt confident I could take them down. Quietly, I turned the door knob, and once it was unlatched, I threw the door open and jumped into the room, water bottle first.
A shout sounded, and the curtain flew open. Green eyes locked with mine, and it took a moment for my adrenaline to settle enough for me to realize who I was staring at, who was standing before me… completely naked and dripping wet. He seemed as shocked as I was.
We both shouted at the same time, “What areyoudoing here?”
Before I could form some sort of answer, too caught off guard, my eyes drifted downward, lingering on the semi on display.
