Page 8 of Christian Clause

Carrying my bags from the boot, Debra teases, “Come on, don’t be a stranger. Let’s go in.”

I laugh and follow her into the house. I sigh at the warm interior of the house and the smell of good cooking. Debra’s fortunate that Ray is an excellent cook.

Debra takes my bags to my room. Even before I remove my coat in the hallway, my darling little niece runs out of the kitchen.

“Aunt Hope!” she cries with joy.

I go down on my knees and wrap my arms around her. Emotion tugs at my heart as I ensconce her small body in my embrace. I last saw her when she was three years old.

Oh, how I missed her and her cute smiles.

She pulls away from me and I see how much she has grown. Her round face inherited from Debra is still as cute as ever. Her big black eyes are still full of curiosity. I kiss her dimpled cheeks and ruffle her curls.

Rising, I lift her and she giggles as I tickle her. “How’s my favorite niece?”

She giggles again. “I’m your only niece.”

I laugh heartily as we make our way to the kitchen.

“Something smells nice.”

Ray turns from the stove where he’s grilling several steaks. His wide smile, so like his daughter’s, makes me realize how much I miss him, too.

Ray’s a great guy whom I’m so glad Debra married. The level of understanding between the two of them never fails to amaze me. Although he can’t be described as handsome, he’s tall, broad-shouldered, bald, with an angular face and a ready smile.

“Hey, stranger,” he says as he strides forward to hug me with his daughter still in my arms. “How was your flight?”

Smiling as he pulls away, I say, “I’m fine but a little tired, though.”

“Is dinner ready?” Debra asks as she comes into the kitchen.

She places a kiss on Aria's cheek and kisses her husband.

My heart swells at the sight. I wish I could find a man to love me and treat me right the way Ray does my sister. Pushing away the thought, my eyes travel around the kitchen, noting the changes that were made.

Discussing Ray’s work and how his folks back in Denver are doing, I help to make a salad despite his and Debra’s protests.

The conversation around the dinner table is joyous as Debra and I catch up on what has been going on in our lives. I deliberately skip out all the nasty details of the way Alice and her new roommate treated me.

When I told Alice I was leaving that morning, I saw the guilt in her eyes although she tried to hide it. Becky told me ‘Good riddance’, but I didn’t take it to heart. She was only acting from whatever Alice told her of me. I didn’t know her and she didn’t know me, so I didn’t let her parting words hurt me.

When Alice tried to say something else, I carried my bags and left the house for good. I hope never to come across someone like her again.

“You must be exhausted.” Debra notices with a small frown.

I simply nod. Although my flight was in the evening, I left the house in the morning and spent the entire day at the airport lounge, waiting for my flight to be announced. One more minute spent with Alice and Becky, and I was sure I would have lost it.

“Why don’t you take a bath and go to bed to get some rest?” Debra suggests in her usual motherly fashion.

“Yes. Please go and rest,” Ray adds.

Stifling another yawn, I say, “But I want to help do the dishes and put away all this food.” I look down at my barely touched meal of steak, mashed potatoes, and salad on the side.

Ray chuckles. “Don’t worry about it, Hope. I’ll help Debra put away the leftover food and clean the kitchen.”

Not wanting to argue because I’m exhausted and in need of sleep on a bed for the first time in weeks, I rise slowly from the table. After bidding them goodnight and kissing Aria’s cheek, I leave the dining room. Taking a shower and lying on the comfortable bed from my childhood, I sigh with pleasure.

It really feels good to be home.

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