Page 4 of Fresh Start
I can’t believe it had taken me this long to visit. Already, I was starting to feel myself again, and I’d almost forgotten who that was.
Detective Strong and the Monster of the Abysshad taken six months to film, not counting the reshoots, the dubbing, and all the promoting. A year and something out of my life, which I was grateful for, but I always wondered if spending so much time working was taking me away from real life.
That fan had a point.
The press knew nothing about my personal life–which was just how I liked it–other than what Tracy let out. In fact, the only things the press knew about me were not even true. Tracy had molded this picture of me as the playboy looking for love in all the wrong places, when in fact, none of it was real. I hadn’t even been in a relationship since I was thirty.
My headlights illuminated a sign that welcomed me in the small town.
Cedarwood Beach, VA. Population: 1,766
1,766? I don’t think I’d ever been in a small town like that, ever! Growing up in Chicago, I was used to the hustle and bustle of a busy city and sought it out everywhere I’d settled since I left. I was curious to find out how different things were in a place like this.
Once inside the town, most of the traffic veered toward the coast, while my GPS guided me through the outskirts of the town and got me to my parents’ house in no time. I parked the car in their driveway and got out. The house rose over two stories, and the exterior was reinforced with grey stonework. Their front garden was covered in green grass and pretty flower beds that I was certain Mom had planted, and the path in the middle was illuminated by small solar lights.
I walked up to the front door and knocked.
It was only ten in the evening, and my parents weren’t known for going to bed early, but when no one responded after a few minutes, I panicked.
Maybe I should have told them I was coming. I wanted to surprise them, but what if they weren’t even home? I pressed their doorbell, and it shook the entire house with its chime. If that didn’t get their attention, then I didn’t know what would.
The door opened, and my mother appeared behind it wearing an emerald green evening dress and holding a champagne glass in one hand.
“D-Dawson,” she shrieked, and for a split second, I thought she was going to slap me.
But then she wrapped her arms around me in one of her mama bear hugs that I’d missed more than I cared to admit.
“What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call?”
“I wanted to surprise you, Ma. Is that okay?” I asked.
“Of course it’s okay,” she said. “But I thought you were busy with your press tour.”
“Come on, Ma. I wouldn’t miss your fortieth wedding anniversary,” I said.
Mom stepped aside and welcomed me in the house. When she closed the door, I realized there was an ambient music around the house and the lights were dimmed.
“Well, you missed all the other ones,” she said in her usual honest tone.
My mother didn’t do subtle. And she didn’t hold grudges. But she always said exactly what went through her mind, as if she had no filter. That little issue was one of the reasons she never held any friends for too long. She meant well, but not everyone got the chance to know that.
“I know. I’m sorry. You know how it—”
“Oh, darling, I know. You work hard. Perhaps too hard. We know you love us. Even if it wouldn’t hurt you to show us sometimes,” she said, and a pang of guilt pressed on my chest.
“I wouldn’t want to miss your ruby anniversary. You did invite me, after all,” I said.
“We invite you every year, darling. You’ve never come before,” she said.
I put my hands up and let the subject go. Mom walked me through the hallway and the music became louder.
“Fair enough. I’ve been a bad son. I know. I’ll try and make it up to you,” I said, and Mom took a sip of her drink and raised her eyebrows. “Are you having a party?”
Mom walked faster toward the back, and I followed.
“Yes, we decided to have a little soirée. Uncle Larry and your cousins are here early, and Linda decided to leave Roland, so she’s sleeping in one of the guest rooms,” she said, and I walked into the open plan kitchen and dining room and was immediately taken aback by all the family gathered in one place.
My aunt approached me and gave me a warm hug, and the rest of the family surrounded me.
