Asking For You

I managed to miss Thanksgiving with my mother this year but she's nagging me for Christmas. So here we are driving in before the storm hits tonight.

Everly bouncing in the back seat. Chanting grandma over and over as we pull into the drive. An entire year since I laid eyes on this town. Taking a deep breath, I exit my car.

I unbuckle Everly and grab our bags. She bounds up the stairs and rings the doorbell. Mom opens it beaming. Wrapping my three-year-old in a hug, then me.

"Come in, it's freezing." She says stepping back.

I follow her inside and set the bags down by the door.

Immediately I smell cookies baking.

I sit in the chair while Everly plays in the living room.

"How was the drive in?" Mom asks.

"Busy. Everyone's coming back early because of the storm."

"Collin and Caydence back yet?" She asks.

"Tonight." I nod.

Last I heard they were at the airport. Heading in from Chicago where they relocated over the summer.

"Are you seeing them when they get in? I can watch her."

"I'm not sure."

"Just let me know." She sighs sitting across from me. She looks better than the last time I saw her. Macy's death took a toll on her. First my dad then her best friend.

"How are you?" I ask.

"Good." She smiles.

I believe her this time. She seems good. It makes me feel less guilty for staying away for long periods. But I had to lick my wounds.

I look around the house that I grew up in. It looks the same as it always has.

She takes the cookies over to the cooling rack and rejoins me.

My mom loves Christmas. This is the first year I don't feel dreadful.

As Everly gets older I wait for her to ask about her father.

I jump when the doorbell rings. Mom hurries to get it and I stand. I didn't know she was expecting company.

"Everly!" I hear Asher shout rushing inside.

I make my way to the living room. Collin and Caydence grin at me.

"You knew?" I ask mom, a smile creeping onto my face. She shrugs heading back to the kitchen.

I hug my friends tightly.

"We've missed you too." Caydence laughs.

"Get ready. We're going for drinks." Collin adds. I grab my bag and head to my old room.

Showering and changing into jeans and a sweater. I do my makeup and hair before emerging. I kiss my daughter and mother before leaving.

We end up taking my car.

To my surprise we go to a bar outside of town. It makes sense after the disaster last year when Caydence slept with the bartender in town.

They seem to be doing okay though, as in love as always. They're in therapy now.

Collin heads to the bar while we grab a table.

"Porter's coming." Caydence says, warning me. I nod.

"It's fine. Really." I stress making her shoulder lose tension.

Collin sits down handing us our drinks. I sip mine and take in the growing crowd.

When Porter arrives, he joins us, sitting between his brother and Caydence.

He looks good, as always.

He cut his unruly hair finally, so it doesn't land on his face now. Just covers his forehead.

The lights dim, music growing louder. Proving the night to be getting later.