Returned

Chapter 2: Angel

“Are we there yet?” It felt like the hundredth time that Cam had asked that since we’d left the beach house. We’d spent the morning taking care of everything that needed to get done, packing, getting someone to watch the house and water the plants, normal things that would have to be done. We’d hit the road about noon, and been driving for a while. It was around five pm and I knew he was probably getting hungry and antsy but I didn’t want to stop yet, I was afraid I’d lose my nerve before we got there.

“Just a little longer baby I promise, and then we’ll stop at the diner that I worked at when I was in high school. Won’t that be cool to see bug?” I glanced in the rearview mirror to look at him and laughed softly at the confused face he was making.

“Are you sure it’s gonna be there still momma, you said you left like a billion years ago and what if they’re outta food! Can’t we just stop at McDonalds or something?” I shook my head slightly, though i too wondered if the places from my childhood would still be there. I wasn’t too worried, Annie’s Diner was a staple of Copperton and I was pretty sure it’d be there. My fears were alleviate when we started passing signs for the Copperton exit. Annie’s Diner, Celebrating 50 years this year! I couldn’t help but smile, my stomach settling just a little. We finally passed the sign welcoming us into Copperton and I took a deep breath before looking back at Cam.

“Look bug! We’re here! Welcome to Copperton!” I tried to pretend I wasn’t terrified about who I might run into or what might be said about my sudden reappearance. “This is where I grew up, I can’t wait to show you all my favorite places!” I glanced at the mirror and watched him, wondering if I would run into the boys who had lived in my dreams and fantasies these last ten years. I hoped they’d moved on, because as much as it would hurt to see them with others, it would make it easier to ignore them if they were all happily taken. I didn’t want anything to complicate matters more than they already were.

I had called the lawyer before starting the trip and he’d let me know that the key for the house would be left at the front desk of the police station. All I had to do was show my ID to the person at the desk, and he assured me it should be fine. I decided that since Annie’s was right there, a few blocks before the station we’d stop and grab some food first, then get the keys and head to the old house. I didn’t want to be out in public any longer than I needed to be, but I underestimated the annoyance of my son having been stuck in a car for hours.

“We can eat inside right! I’ve never been in a diner before, Tommy said that diners are for old people but you said you worked at one in high school, does that mean in high school you’re old?” I wasn’t ready for the line of questioning from my son and my eyes widened as I found myself agreeing to eat inside.

The Diner looked the same, which made me happy. I’d been a dishwasher my junior year of high school, and that summer, before I left, had been promoted to counter waitress. The diner had been my safe haven in town when things were at their worst. Whenever the boys were busy, with life, family or their own jobs, this was where I’d been. I wondered who was still here, not a lot of people ever left Copperton, the boys and I had all had a plan to leave, but I didn't know if they would have left without me.

I parked the car and told Cam to get out and wait for me. I needed a moment to catch my breath before finally stepping out myself, letting my hands run through my longer auburn hair before glancing around. My eyes stopped on a man staring at me and I cringed, I didn’t recognize the man but he looked awestruck by me, and I hoped that he would take his eyes off me. He didn't. In fact as I moved closer to my son the man walked over to us.

“A-Angel? Angel McCarthy? Is that really you?” As soon as I heard his voice I knew who it was, and I let out a sigh. It was my former best friend, other than the boys.

“Hi Liam” I looked at my former bestie with a sheepish grin. He was the only person other than my boys who I was hoping to avoid, because I knew he’d have been as hurt as the boys with my disappearance, not because Liam was in love with me, I was so not his type, but because I didn’t tell him I was going to be leaving.

“Girl where have you been? You have a kid? Is he..” I held up a finger to indicate his silence was wanted and then i glanced at Cam ushering him closer as I moved in closer to Liam.

“Yea Liam meet Camden he’s my son” I made sure that i emphasized the word just so he would hopefully avoid saying anything that would confuse Cam. “Cam, bug, this is your uncle Liam. He was my best friend growing up, probably one of the truest friends a person could have asked for.” I hoped that Liam would still consider himself my best friend when he found out the whole story, but that would have to wait, I didn’t want Cam to find out about my past right now, not yet at least. Maybe I’d tell him in my own time but I wasn't ready.

“I’ve never had an uncle before, cool!” Cam said, his soft innocent voice made me smile. I knew he had wondered about family, and for me the chosen family was better than blood. I looked at Liam and hoped he wouldn’t be mad that I showed up after ten years and now roped him into being a relative to my son that he didn’t even know about.

“Well kiddo I guess you have one now, your mom and I used to be joined at the hip. I’m actually on my way home so I can’t stick around, just dropping off some stuff for the diner for my partner and then gotta head home.”

“Partner? You and Miss Annie’s grandson?”

“You were right Angel, he was into me. He was the one who helped me after you…” he paused and looked at Cam “Moved away?” he made it a question and I nodded softly at him.

“I’ll talk to you soon Liam, and you’ll have to reintroduce me to…Zeke was his name right?”

“Yea Zeke, been married five years now. We actually moved into the old Sampson house, right next to where you grew up, so if you need anything. Oh and here…” he handed me a card and I looked it over before rolling my eyes. Of course he works at the law firm.

“You work at the law office, so you know why I’m here”

“I’m just an associate, but yea” He hugged me “I missed you girl, but I can see this little man is aching to get in there, tell Zeke I said it’s on me okay, I’ll call him from the car and confirm” I shook my head but before I would say anything he grinned “Hey I have what 8 or 9 birthdays to make up for with my nephew there, so one dinner is the least i can do. Call me Angel I mean it please” He pulled me in again, this time it felt different as he spoke. “Unless you want to get something to go and come eat at my house”

I frowned and turned to where his eyes were. The green eyes that met mine were so familiar, they were almost as familiar as my son’s blue ones. I saw his face drop and then within a few seconds, he took in Cam and then the anger hit. The man walked into the diner, followed by a tall red headed woman. f**k!

“That’s a bad word momma” Cam’s little voice hit me and I realized I spoke my thoughts aloud.

“Sorry bug,” I took in a deep breath “We’ll be fine Liam thanks though and I’ll let Zeke know, but I think we want to just come and eat and then go to the house and relax. I appreciate it.”

“Still my stubborn girl, seriously though call me later we have to catch up” I nodded and Liam headed to his car. I turned back to Cam and put on as big of a smile as I could muster.

I grabbed his hand “Ready to get some food bug? Hopefully it’s as good as I remember” I smiled and we walked into the diner together. The girl who greeted us and took us to our table looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, I probably could have babysat her when I lived here, and the thought made me smile. I loved the beach house, I loved my life but this was home. I wondered if it would still feel that way after I spoke to Markus, who was the green eyed man, and happened to be the one who was glaring at me from across the diner. I sighed and picked up a menu and smiled.

“The specials are even the same” I said softly

“Momma why are there so many people looking at us?” I looked around and caught a few people looking and I patted his hand softly.

“Well they’re probably just surprised to see such a handsome little man in here, you’re the cutest kid ever you know” I went back to my menu as a man walked up to the table.

“You’re Angel right? I don’t know if you remember me but I’m…”

I smiled, “Zeke right? I just ran into Liam outside, he said he’s picking up our check”

Zeke nodded “Yea he texted me to let me know, whatever y’all want it’s on the house, tomorrow too, I figure you’ll need to eat and Liam has missed you, he mentions all the time he wonders how you are.”

“Thanks I appreciate that” Cam and I both ordered and I saw Markus start to head over to the table and I shook my head and pointed to the door “Hey bug, I’m going to step outside for a bit you wait for our food okay, but don’t move and don’t talk to anyone except our waitress, and Zeke”

“Okay Momma” he grinned and my heart wretched, there was no way I could hide who his father likely was. Well, I thought, here goes nothing.