Page 53 of Meet Me in the Vines
Audrey
I don’t think that’s the saying lol. I miss you.
Tia
Bitch, I miss you more. Call me anytime. Love you.
Audrey
Love you too.
I hover over Donovan’s name to send him a text.
Audrey
Donovan, did you do this?
Donovan
With Noah’s permission. Surprise Mouse. Enjoy it. I love you.
Audrey
Thank you. I love it baby.
Donovan
Check the center console.
I lean over the driver’s seat to open the console, pulling out an aerosol can. I rotate it to examine the label.Pepper Spray.I chuckle, putting the spray back inside, tucking it away safely.
Audrey
Let’s hope I never have to use that.
Donovan
Let’s hope you never do. But, if you do, use it.
The keys are in the ignition and I take them out and put them in my pocket, making my way to the front porch steps.
My heart is palpitating through my ears; I feel nauseous. We just lost Gran. I can hardly bear to load Pop’s plate with more sadness. I imagine the look on his face when I tell him; will he be disappointed? Donovan told me all Pop wants is to see me safe—and I am safe. I’m no longer in the hands of an abuser. I am home, where my family is. Where Donovan is.
I take a deep breath and let myself in, yelling out for my grandfather in the foyer. “Pop? It’s me! I’m home!” I smile at the wordhome,and Donovan’s face comes to my mind. I walk into the large living room and see Pop peek out from the other side of the house.
“There’s my girl! Oh, come here, kid,” he bellows, his voice filled with the familiar warmth that wraps around me like my favorite blanket. I hurry my steps toward him and thud into his chest. His chuckles give way to an amused grunt on impact as he returns the hug, kissing my hair. “It’s good to have you back, sweetheart. Man, I’ve missed ya.”
I squeeze him tighter and inhale the scent of his signature Carhart jacket swirled with cinnamon and his favorite Earl Grey tea.
“Did you see your surprise in the garage?” he beams, looking down at me with his kind, brown eyes.
“Yes. It’s amazing. I’d never thought she’d run again,” I reply, his smile big and bright.
“Donovan did all the work. He just asked me to keep quiet.” I break our embrace as I put my hands on my hips.
“Wait, so he did this after I left the weekend of Gran’s funeral?”
“Mhmm. In case you came home,” he says softly, shrugging his shoulders up and down.
