No Regrets (Season 1)

Sometimes... we feel like running away. Well, for me, that time came when... you know what? I don’t even want to talk about it, yet. We just met, after all!

Instead, I’ll do you one better. I’ll tell you the story that changed my life.

So anyway, I decided to take running away to a whole new level. I ran away from Greece, home, to the US. Fortunately, Uncle Rich and Aunt Margie were willing to help with the transition. They sounded like cool people over the phone and now, I’d finally get to meet them face to face.

I never expected my first flight to be a fucking marathon over the Atlantic but, there I was. Athens to Lisbon, then to Washington DC and finally to LA. Yes, you heard me right. LA baby!

Well, I wasn’t gonna stay there but I’d be studying in the state of California, at least.

I could have just gone to Castleville, the town my college is at, immediately upon landing. It’s only about an hour by car from LA International Airport, actually. However, I made it a point to spend the first day and night at my Uncle’s, in Carlsbad.

I figured, I could take the bus the next day to go further inland, eventually reaching Castleville and R&B college. I know, has a certain musical ring to it. I love me some good R&B music, though, actually, the college has nothing to do with music.

At the time, this felt like a second chance. I had to make it count because I was not going back.

Season 1 Chapter 1: A new beginning

After an uneventful landing, I made my way to baggage pickup. While waiting for my belongings, I took a long look around me. It still felt surreal. I was in LA man! What would you have me do? I was taking in the scenery.

I had only seen the inside of the airport so far and yet, it just felt... different. The booths, the tech stuff and, of course, the girls.

“God damn! Why does every girl here look so fucking hot? I guess single life did change me after all.” I thought.

Eventually, I picked up my baggage and exited the terminal through the first gate I found. I rolled myself a cigarette and had a quick smoke. Good thing I had the foresight to stock up on my favorite tobacco, filters and rolling papers from Greece.

My Uncle said that he’ll be waiting for me in the parking lot because he “couldn’t handle crowds anymore”. I mean, Aunt Margie and Uncle Rich both were in their 50s but still, I didn’t consider them to be old people who can’t handle crowds.

I asked around a bit and had the profound realization that I could communicate in English, even though it shouldn’t even have been a question in the first place.You see, I had been studying it for a while now and was fluent at that point. I even had the degrees to prove it. Weird how the brain plays tricks on you sometimes.

After I was finished smoking, I made my way to the parking lot and checked my phone for a photo I had of Rich so that I could recognize him easily.

Before I even finished tucking away my smartphone, I heard a loud “HEY!” from just ahead. I looked up and saw my uncle practically running towards me. My facial muscles instantly relaxed into a smile, while my chest suddenly felt warmer.

“Uncle Rich?! Is that you?!” I said, breathless with relief.

“My boy! You are finally here!” he replied, with a very soothing tone.

“Come here! Give your old man a hug, won’t ya?!” he continued, opening his arms wide.

I hugged him tightly and we each gave each other a couple of hefty pats on the back.

“Rich. I am so happy to finally meet you in person. How have you been?” I asked, smiling at him.

“Let’s talk as we drive kiddo.” he replied, with a wide grin.

“Your Aunt is dying to meet you, and I will get an earful if I don’t take you to her as soon as humanly possible!” Rich joked.

I tossed my carry-all bag and suitcase in the trunk and hopped in the old SUV in the front passenger seat. Uncle Rich sat in front of the steering wheel and cranked the engine.

* * *

Me and Rich had a literal lifetime to catch up on. I basically answered a bunch of questions and asked some of my own. But before I knew it, we were at his house.

We both exited the SUV and I quickly grabbed my stuff from the trunk. As Rich unlocked the front door of the cozy, detached house, I was immediately hit by the smell of fresh home cooked food. I never tasted Aunt Margie’s cooking and yet, it felt strangely nostalgic.

I hadn’t had a homemade meal ever since I left the orphanage. As I was taking in the smell, Aunt Margie approached me with a wide, happy, smile slowly forming on her face. I couldn’t help but smile back at her.

“Oh my God! My sweet, sweet baby boy is here!” she exclaimed, coming in for a hug.

We hugged for what felt like minutes but in reality was only a few seconds.

“It feels so good to finally see you in person, Margie.” I affectionately returned, rubbing her back.

In a swift motion, she had removed my jacket and was on her way to hung it for me.

“You guys have a lovely home.” I added, glancing around the living room.

“Nuh-uh!” she corrected, waving her index left to right.

“All of us, including you, have a lovely home. Steph, this is your house too! Please make yourself at home!” Margie said with a motherly tone.

As she said that, I noticed her starting to get emotional. Tears started forming in her eyes.

“We have been absent from your life for long enough... we hope you can forgive us...“, she continued, hugging Rich who had walked next to her.

I felt a sudden knot forming in my chest. I fancied myself a “tough” individual, however her words and the whole scene of my last real blood relatives inviting me into their home, into their lives, made my eyes water a bit too. I quickly wiped my tears off.

“There is absolutely nothing to forgive Aunt Margie!” I emphasized.

“You two are the only people in the world I really trust right now. You have no idea how happy you make me, simply by being in my life, let alone helping me through all this.” I reasoned and got close to them for a group hug.

“I am the one who should be sorry for suddenly popping up out of nowhere. I must have stressed you both out so much.” I worried.

“Absolute nonsense!” Rich exclaimed.

“You are the one who made us feel like we have a purpose again!” he insisted.

“Please my boy, let’s sit. Dinner is going to get cold.” Margie said, her motherly tone returning.

“Tell us more about you over dinner. We wanna know all about you and your life.” she requested.

* * *

Like I mentioned, lifetime to catch up on. We each took turns answering each other’s questions and bonding over dinner. They told me all about their lives here. Like how they were both, up until recently, minimum wage workers.

My Uncle worked at a steel factory and my Aunt at an elderly home. They mentioned how they finally paid off their mortgage last month and can finally say it’s “their house”. They also told me that things have been hard for them but, ever since their recent promotions, life was finally looking up for them.

I told them all about my own hardships. Living in an orphanage and having no family close by was the line that almost made them both cry again. So, I switched subjects, opting to tell them all about my music, instead.

I talk with them about my influences and where I got my inspiration from, conveniently leaving out the more turbulent parts of my teen years, such as my hoodlum past. I even put on some of my songs for them to listen to.

Naturally, they were overwhelmed by my Greek underground rap music and even my more emotional tracks didn’t quite “hit home” for them. I expected that much to be honest. An aging American couple would hardly find an interest in Greek underground rap music. Still, it felt good to hear them say they like it even if it wasn’t for them.

“You have had it so rough, Stephanos.” Margie realised.

“We... We had our own problems but, we always had each other. You on the other hand... I cannot even begin to imagine what you went through. I am so glad you ended up being such a sweet and loving person. Again, we are so sorry we were not there for you.” she pleaded, looking at my Uncle and holding his palm with both hands.

“Aunt Margie!” I emphasized.

“It really is ok. The things I’ve been through made me who I am today. You are here now, when I need you most, and that’s what matters to me. It’s not like you had easy lives yourselves and besides, you always cared for me and helped me more than enough. Seriously, thank you both for everything!” I said, flashing a warm smile.

I decided to break the emotional tension by bringing up college for a bit.

“So! On the e-mail, they mentioned I should be on campus grounds by 11:00. I thought I saw a bus stop not far from here-“.

“What on Earth are you talking about?” Rich interrupted, speaking sternly.

“I am driving you to Castleville tomorrow and I am dropping you off right at R&B!” he insisted.

“Rich, I couldn’t-” I tried to protest but he cut me off again.

“I am not debating this!” waving his palm in objection.

You are just gonna have to accept all my help, love and attention from now on!” he proudly continued.

“Mine as well!” Margie chipped in, before changing her tone back to the motherly one.

“Now now, it’s getting late and you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow, young man. We have prepared the guest room upstairs for you. As far as we are concerned, from now on, it’s yours. We do hope you will visit from time to time...” she said with hopeful reluctance, glancing at her husband.

I knelt in front of her on the couch and gave her a tight hug.

“Y’all didn’t have to do that. Of course I’ll come visit every chance I get.” I promised.

After some more talking, I stepped out for a smoke and relaxed with the somber sounds and dim lights of the quiet neighborhood.

Eventually, I turned in relatively early, around 00:00, for the night. I was really looking forward to my new beginning tomorrow, in college. I was also glad about getting along so well with my relatives. My eyes refused to close that night.

It felt as if I gained something I never even realised how much I longed for. A family.