Page 2 of Summer Redemption

Before I even realize it, she’s barreling into me, and I take a few steps back from the force. The woman might be 60 now, butshe’s strong and healthy as, well, as a horse. And she’s always been excitable.

“Sweetie, it’s so good to see you,” she gushes.

Even though I try to stop it, my eyes well up with unshed tears. It’s been far too long since I saw her. Hell, it’s been a long time since I’ve been home.

It was easier to stay at school and work during breaks instead of coming back here. Cheaper too. It wasn’t like I could afford to travel a lot. Thankfully, my mom knows how to video chat, and I didn’t miss out on seeing my parents while I was gone. It wasn’t the same, not by a long shot.

But I think I needed the space. It did me good to stand on my own. It allowed me to really find out who I am.

“It’s good to see you, Nora,” I whisper as I squeeze her just a little bit tighter. She’s always felt like family to me and there is something special about her hugs. I sink into her. “It feels good to be home.”

She chuckles and starts rocking me back and forth without letting me go. I can’t help but laugh along with her. I swear, she’s about two seconds away from jumping up and down with me in her arms.

“Are you going to let the girl go, Nora?” Dr. Harris sounds exasperated, but I can hear the amusement underneath it. He huffs out a breath that’s all bluster. The next thing I know, he’s wrapped his arms around both of us. “I guess this will have to do since I know she won’t let go quite yet and I can’t wait.”

I look up into Dr. Harris’ eyes and something settles inside of me. The last time I saw him; I was getting ready to head offto college. So much has changed in the last eight years, but the warmth in his eyes is exactly the same.

“Dr. Harris,” I chirp, “I couldn’t wait until Monday to come and see you.”

He makes a tsking sound and shakes his head, his arms tightening around us. “We’re colleagues now, Sunshine. Please, call me Wilber.”

I can’t help but grin from ear to ear. He called us colleagues. While closing my eyes, I let my reality wash over me.

As they release me, we stare at each other. It’s like we can all feel the weight of the moment and the shift of how it used to be to how it is now. I’m no longer working here as a high school student. I’m a veterinarian now.

I’m going to see animals all on my own and Wilber will be trusting me to give them the best care possible.

It’s a lot and the pressure I feel on my shoulders is heavy, but I’m ready for it. This is exactly what I wanted for so long.

When I glance around the room, I do a double take when I notice a picture on the wall. I’m there in my cap and gown on graduation day. There’s no way I can stop myself from grimacing. Sure, the gown I’m wearing isn’t helping matters, but it’s open in the front and the dress I’m wearing is at least four sizes too big. My hair is a frizzy mess which I finally got tamed with hair product and some self-care.

I stopped dressing to hide a long time ago and it was an adjustment. No one seemed to notice me and then far too many noticed me. Then I learned that a little makeup could enhance my features. I thought people used makeup to cover something up. While some people do, there’s more to it than that.

It wasn’t like I went through some montage worthy makeover, but I learned how to love myself through taking care of myself.

“Some things have changed,” Nora comments and I jump a little. When I look at her in confusion, she nods toward the picture I was just looking at. “You look different, Sunshine. Some people might think that’s the important part, but it’s not. Some things have changed, but the most important things,” she gives me a pointed look, “are the same.”

I nod slowly. “Getting rid of my frizzy hair isn’t a bad thing, though,” I tease.

“Frizz or no frizz, the important thing is someone’s heart. Yours has always been gigantic and giving. Maybe too giving and definitely too forgiving,” she mumbles the last sentence, but I still hear her.

Not knowing what to say, I can only shrug and nod. I let out a groan when I realize that I’ve spent too much time at the vet clinic and need to get home. I haven’t even seen where I’ll be living yet.

My parents converted the space above their garage into an apartment for me. They wanted me to come home and ensured I could still have the independence I’ve enjoyed for the last eight years.

“On Monday, we’ll go over how we’ll divide the duties in the clinic,” Wilber tells me, but there’s something in his voice that has me wondering what he has planned for me. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

After giving Wilber and Nora hugs, I leave the clinic and head towards home. It’s silly, but I’m nervous. Whenever my parents visited me, which wasn’t often, I was able to control the conversation and steered it away from topics, and people, Ididn’t want to hear about. Now, on their turf, I don’t think I’ll be able to do the same.

All of my concerns fly out the window the moment I’m wrapped up in my mom’s arms and then my dad’s. Their hugs are something I’ve yearned for since I went away to school. Getting a few a year is nothing like having them on tap whenever I want.

“Now, I’ll get hugs whenever I want,” I mumble into my dad’s chest.

His chuckle rumbles against the side of my face and I can’t help but snuggle deeper into him. “I’m glad you’re home, Sunshine. We’ve been missing you around here.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I whisper.

Before I know what’s happening, I’m ushered to the dinner table. I can only shoot my mom a wry smile. Honestly, I should have known she would want to feed me right away. She’s always shown her love through food and getting that love is far from a hardship.

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