Page 1 of Liberating Bells
1
RYAN
Five Years Later
“It isa beautiful Sunday evening here in Cedar Ridge, Tennessee. We hope you enjoyed your flight and welcome home!” the pilot’s voice echoes over the intercom.
I glance up from the long, monotonous contract I’ve been reading and blink my eyes. My vision is a little blurry from staring at the text for so long. I adjust the glasses on my nose and let the pilot’s words seep in.
Welcome home.
I haven’t been home for what feels like an eternity. If my memory serves correctly, the last time I was here was Christmas two years ago. I had come home to celebrate my sister’s sixth birthday and spend the holidays with my family.
In the years after leaving Cedar Ridge, my visits and phone calls became more and more scarce as time passed. My mom tried her best to be understanding, given the circumstances, but I knew it was hard for her not getting to see me as much. Germany became my home without me fully realizing it, and work became my outlet.
At that time, there wasn’t much left for me in the States. Sure, I missed my family like crazy, but the emptiness I felt every time I landed in Cedar Ridge was enough to keep me away for a while.For a long time, I wasn’t ready to face those feelings.
But now, things are different, and not in a good way. I’m needed back home in Tennessee permanently. So once again, I packed my life up and crossed the pond one last time. For good.
Once I’ve gathered up my carry-on items into my bag, I remove my glasses, rubbing at my eyes a bit to help reduce the blurriness as the plane slowly taxis into the gate.
I’m a little surprised that I feel anticipation instead of heartbreak at the prospect of being home. A part of me is still aware that things will never be the same, but the other part is ready to reclaim my life with my family by my side.
As soon as we receive the all-clear from the flight attendants, I collect my briefcase and grab my suitcase from the bin overhead. The rest of my belongings have already been shipped to my mom’s house. I file behind the rest of the passengers through the aircraft and then into the airport terminal.
My feet carry me past the baggage claim and over to where I know my family will be waiting. A huge grin splits my face as soon as I see them. The young girl beside my mother drops her homemadeWelcome Home, Ryno!sign onto the floor and runs at me at full speed, giggling the whole way. She launches herself at me as soon as she’s in range, and I catch her, laughing too, as I spin her around.
“Hey, squirt!” I exclaim, as my little sister clutches my neck in a giant bear hug.
“Hey, Ryno!” she squeaks back, gripping onto me for dear life. “Did you see the sign I made?”
“I did, but you dropped it back there,” I tell her, setting her down and rumpling the top of her soft blonde hair.
She looks back and sees our parents walking toward us. Her dad has the sign tucked safely under his arm, and she nods.
I crouch down to get a good look at her. She has blonde hair and green eyes like me. Though my hair has turned more of a dark sandy brown over the years. I’m still amazed at how small she feels. I’m not tall, by any means; my stepdad Derek still has a few inches over me. But next to Thalia? I feel like a giant.
“Geez, you’re getting big,” I tell her. “How old are you now, twenty-seven?”
Thalia smiles at me and shakes her head. “No, that’s you. I’m only eight.”
I plant my palm on the side of my head mockingly. “Oh, that’s right, you’re eight!” Reaching out, I tickle her tiny waist, and she instantly bursts into a fit of giggles.
As soon as Derek and Mom are standing next to us, I smile and stand up. Mom wraps herself up in my arms, hugging me tightly to her. She is also much smaller than I remember—almost frail. When I let her go, I notice she has tears in her eyes.
“Hey, don’t cry,” I say as I hold on to her shoulders.
She gives me a sheepish smile and wipes her cheeks. “I’m just so glad you’re back.”
I pull her in for another hug and hold her tight, but not too tight. I’m afraid I might break her. “Me too, Mom.”
Derek looks at me with pride as he extends his hand for a shake. I release my mom and accept his offer, gripping his hand tight and shaking it.
“Good to see you, Ryan,” he says. Derek loosens my hand and claps my shoulder in the way only a father knows how. He and my mom got married right before Thalia was born, and he’s been a constant in my life ever since. I’m honestly happy to see him too. He is the perfect father to my little sister and a fantastic husband to my mother.
Though he and I had a rocky start, I’m glad to have him as part of my family.
After we settle the first round of hellos, we file into my parents’ car and start the trek home. Thalia is overjoyed when I sit in the backseat with her. I happily buckle in next to her and play I Spy during the drive.
