Page 2 of Tangled up in You

My mother once had to make the same hard choice to divorce my father when I was a teenager. It’s nice to be with someonewho supports my choices and understands my struggles with starting over at an older age.

Patting my shoulder, she says, “Let’s get your stuff out so you can settle in.”

With a nod, I follow her back to the car. We unload the boxes and trash bags I have stuffed within and drop them off in my old room. It’s nostalgic being here. Homey.

My room is how I left it when I went to college, minus the sheets and blankets. My mother informs me those are in the dryer where she washed them for me.

I head back outside to shut my trunk. A black four-door truck pulls up next door at Kent’s parents’ house. I close my trunk and turn to greet them, but pause as Kent gets out.

“Hey, stranger.” His lips curve in a bright smile, giving me a glimpse of the dimples that had many girls swooning back in the day. Even the new addition of scruff on his face doesn’t diminish the beauty of them.

Kent closes the driver door of his vehicle; the echo of it jars me out of my shock.

“What are you doing here?” I blurt out.

“Nice to see you too.”

“I…” I stammer. “I didn’t know it was you. I thought it was your parents.”

He chuckles. “No. They’re traveling the world for retirement. I moved back a few months ago to take over the hardware store and their house.”

“Oh. Mom didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t?” As if on cue, my mother comes out to join us. “I thought I did.” She shrugs. “Sorry.”

Kent and I share a look of amusement at her apology that doesn’t sound very apologetic.

“It’s fine.” Kent assures her. “It’ll be nice having everyone back together again.”

Furrowing my eyebrows, I ask, “Simon’s here too?”

“Yeah, he arrived last night. We’re having a little get-together in about an hour if you’d both like to come?”

Before I can decline, my mother asks, “Will there be food?”

I roll my eyes, but laugh at her predictability. She’ll go anywhere for free food.

“Of course,” Kent says. “I’ll be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers out back, but the party will be inside since it’s so cold out here. There will also be alcohol.”

“You had her at food,” I grumble, making them laugh.

My mother nudges me with her hip. “I do love to eat.”

“Come over anytime. I will always feed you.” Kent winks at her.

I snort. He’s such a charmer. So were Simon and Oliver back in the day. I’m sure that hasn’t changed. It’s a comforting notion with how upside-down my life has been in recent years.

Kent points to his truck. “I’ve got to get things going, but I’ll see you two soon. If I don’t answer the door, just come in.”

“Good seeing you.” My mother calls after him as he walks off.

“You too,” he replies. “And I’m glad you're home, Melanie.”

“You four can play hide-and-go-seek,” my mother teases.

“Mom!” I scold.

She throws her head back and laughs as she heads inside. Following, I can’t help laughing with her. I haven’t felt this lighthearted in years. For the longest time, I’ve felt like a lost, broken woman. Nothing like the confident, lively girl with goals and a bright future I was growing up.

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