Page 48 of Run to Me
“Yeah, I saw. Feels like I’ve entered a time capsule. Thanks for saving it all. I’ve really missed being in here.”
Her face softens, her hands moving to the front of her body. “Of course, hon. Feel free to take some of it back with you but don’t feel obligated. We don’t mind holding onto all y’alls old stuff. Helps the house feel less empty.”
“Yeah. I’ll take this with me for sure, and maybe some of my old comic books.”
“What about those old pairs of white converse you could never part with?” I said pointedly.
“You mean the ones displaying your beautiful artwork,” he says between laughs, and my mom watches us closely, fingers tugging at the hem of her shirt.
“You boys seem to be getting along like no time has passed between y’all. It’s good to see.” There’s a hint of uneasiness in her voice. She’s enjoying the brotherly exchange but worries it will eventually lead to more if Jace stays too long. Her thoughts are louder than she realizes, echoing around her in the form of uncomfortable silence.
“Yeah. I guess we are. It was only a matter of time before we found our way back, I guess. Especially being back in here surrounded by so many memories.” Jace rubs his palms over his knees, stretching out his legs.
“Yeah, well, dinner will be ready in an hour. Would you two like to come help prepare everything for the salad?”
“Sure.” Jace quickly gets to his feet, wasting no time taking the out she gives him.
“Yeah, whatever you need,” I say in agreement, setting my control next to his.
Jace follows her out first and I’m right behind them, turning off the light before shutting the door. Mom ensures we’re never alone for the remainder of the evening, giving us different tasks in the kitchen after dinner. Jace loads the dishwasher and I wipe down the table, before suggesting we watch a movie.
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Dad says, from the living-room couch, glancing back at us.
“Yeah, sure. It’s been so long since we’ve had a movie night.” Mom’s face lights up and she grabs both of her hands, eyes shifting between us. “It’s really good to have both my boys here. I definitely needed it this week.”
Jace’s eyebrows bunch together. “Everything okay?”
“It will be, I’m sure. Your aunt Nancy has just been in and out of the hospital, struggling with her MS. It’s been hard on her whole family, and with Dan leaving—”
“Leaving? Are they getting a divorce?”
Mom nods solemnly. “Yeah. I guess her being sick all the time is too much for him. She can’t travel as much as she used to and had to cut hours at work recently.”
“I always knew that guy was a prick,” Jace mutters.
“I think everyone did,” I quip.
“Are we going to keep talking about sad stuff or are we going to finish enjoying our movie night?” Dad lifts his head, pressing a hand to the back cushion of the couch. “It’s not like we get to see Jace often.”
“He’s right.” Mom squeezes her fingers, pulling away. “You two go help your dad settle on a movie and I’ll make the popcorn.”
Doing what she asks, we head to where Dad is, and sit on opposite sides of him. Mom takes a seat in the recliner and we finally decide on the latestVenommovie. Dad’s snoring fills the room halfway through and Mom sighs, getting up from her seat. “I guess I need to get that one to bed, before I have to hear him cry about the crick in his neck for a week straight from sleeping in that position for too long.”
“You coming back?” Nate asks, tossing popcorn into his mouth.
“I think I’ll turn in too, actually. Have an early day at the office tomorrow. You boys stay and finish the movie. If it gets too late, you can just crash in your old rooms.”
“Dinner tomorrow again?” Jace settles the almost-empty bowl in his lap and Mom smiles.
“Yeah. I’d like that. I’m sure Dad would too. Night, boys.”
“Night, Mom,” we say in unison.
Jace’s attention is back on the movie when Mom disappears to her room with a half-asleep Dad on her heels. Jace shakes the kernels in the bowl and I laugh, taking the bowl from him.
“More popcorn?”
“I can make it.” He places his hand on the bowl, and I place a hand on his.
