Page 109 of Wrecked
We found peace here.
The sun continues to descend, kissing the horizon andtransforming the skies in front of me. It’s the most beautiful picture I’ve ever seen.
I hear Nate start to hum behind me, a tune I’m all too familiar with. He wraps his arms around me, lightly swaying us back and forth.
“Wise men say…” he leans forward, whispering the song in my ear. My eyes fill as I remember so vividly the last time I heard this song.
He sings the entire song, rocking us gently as we watch the sunset.
And I fall even more in love with the man who already has my entire heart and soul.
CHAPTER 46
ELLIE (24 YEARS OLD)
The sun dips low on the horizon and casts a golden canopy over the peaceful suburban neighborhood. I push down my anxiety as it fights to take control of the wheel and turn my car around.
This street isn’t familiar. These houses aren’t dilapidated. But driving down this road produces the same dread…the same unease, as if I were driving toward the house that sheltered me my entire childhood.
Memories flood my mind, the ones I’ve suppressed for over seven years. The memories that caused scars so deep I was never able to heal. Memories I never planned to confront. People I never planned to see again.
Is he here? Will I see him while I’m home? Does he miss me the way I miss him? Those memories, those questions…they hurt.
Ishehere? Will I seehimwhile I’m home? Will he try to touch me the way he used to? Those memories, those questions…incite fear.
I shake off my walk-down-trauma-lane and follow my GPS around the bend of a quaint little cul-de-sac. I double check theaddress before pulling into the driveway of a small, cozy ranch-style home. The first thing I notice is that the driveway is intact. There is no bumpy bull ride to the top. No worries of a flat tire. The shingles hang perfectly; the lawn is cut beautifully. Vibrant flower beds decorate the landscape, and an apple tree sits in the middle of the yard.
I’m happy for her.
I’m happy she is okay.
I grip my steering wheel hard, causing my knuckles to turn white. I’m already parked; the engine is off. All I have to do is open the car door and step outside, but my hands stay glued to the wheel in front of me. My fingers start to tingle from my death grip, and I fight to pull my hands away.
Deep breaths.
Five things I see, four things I feel, three things I hear, two things I smell, one thing I taste.
My panic finally subsides, and I can feel my hands again. I open my car door and walk toward the front entrance. The cool breeze brushes against my skin, causing goosebumps that feel far too ominous.
My intuition is screaming at me. Something is coming. Something bad. Something that is going to change me. I should never have come home. I should have just made a separate trip, one that didn’t bring me back in reach of the people who hurt me.
Too late now.
I knock on the front door, and it pushes open on its own. I step inside my mom’s new home, and I’m hit with an aroma that brings me back to my early childhood. The nostalgia nearly brings tears to my eyes. It’s a memory I didn’t even realize I missed.
Chocolate chip cookies.
Mom hasn’t made cookies since I was about six, so the scent takes me by surprise. To be fair, this is my first time cominghome since I left for college nearly six years ago. She could have turned into Betty Crocker for all I know.
I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing last year and was offered a position near my apartment. Three hours away from this place isn’t far enough, but it was easy to come home when I needed to.
I never needed to.
I just took a position at the local hospital and will be transferring back in a few weeks. The pay is much better in a bigger city, and Katie will be moving this way as well. Katie said Mom is excited to have us both home, but I can’t say the same.
Mom and Dad filed for separation not long after I left for school. I don’t know the details surrounding the split, but I don’t really care. Five years later, no divorce papers have been signed.
Not my business.
