Page 69 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
As I stepped off the plane, the cool Alaskan air embraced me, and I smiled, feeling the weight of Asheville lift from my shoulders.
Tom was there at baggage claim, his familiar grin warming my heart. "Hey, sis!"
I rushed into his arms, feeling safe for the first time in weeks. "Hey, bro."
Lucinda joined us, and we stood in a circle of love, surrounded by family.
"Welcome to Alaska, Kendra," Lucinda said, her eyes twinkling. "We’re glad you’re here."
The kids ran over, shouting, "Aunt Kendra’s here! Aunt Kendra’s here!"
I laughed, my heart beginning to heal.
As we drove through the majestic Alaskan landscape, I let the beauty wash over me. It was exactly what I needed—a place where I could breathe again, where I could begin to piece myself back together.
But in the back of my mind, Antonio’s image remained, a constant reminder of the life I had left behind. The life I wasn’t sure I could ever return to.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Antonio
I woke up to my phone’s incessant ringing. The clock on the wall read ten-forty.
“Hello?” I groaned into the speaker without checking the caller ID.
“Hi, Antonio, good morning.”
The sleep in my eyes faded as I recognized the voice. “What do you want?”
“I just want to talk. I believe I owe you and your father an apology.”
My eyes widened at the statement. I glanced at my phone screen to confirm I was speaking to my birth mother, Eve.
“Hello, Antonio, are you there?”
“Is this some new trick you want to try out? Because I’ll tell you right now, I’m in no mood for your shenanigans.”
“No games. I’ll be leaving Asheville this time for good. But I couldn't leave without seeing you first… without attempting to make things right.”
“Make things right? You think anything you do could begin to fix all the things you've broken?” I asked, remembering Kendra.
“No, but it’ll prevent further damage.” She sounded sincere—a rare tone from my mother.
“Son, I think you should come home for a bit. Let’s hear her out.” My father’s voice came through the phone after I didn’t respond.
I hesitated and then replied, “I’ll be there soon.”
I quickly freshened up and headed out. I stopped briefly by Kendra’s door, knowing I’d see her later that night when she returned from work.
I drove hastily through the streets, my mind racing with my mother’s confession. Eve’s apology had caught me off guard, and for the first time, I saw her in a different light. The weight of her words settled within me, making me realize I’d misjudged Kendra.
Kendra had been innocent all along.
My gut twisted with guilt and urgency. I needed to see her, apologize, and make things right. I missed her… so much.
I dialed Kendra’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. I tried again. Same result.
“Damn it!” I slammed my hand on the steering wheel.
