Where I Belong

Chapter 2-2

Meg had one more bit of news to drop on Harper before she left Colorado. While Joe finished putting their bags in the rental car, Meg ushered Harper over to a bench on the front porch. “Harp, there’s one more thing you need to know, well, two really. You probably assumed this but it’s still gonna hurt. Six months after you left, Gramma died of a heart attack. She collapsed in the fellowship hall at church and was gone instantly. I know you made your peace with her, but I’m sorry she won’t be there to welcome you home. And you should know—right after you left, she changed her will, leaving the farm to you and me instead of Dad and Uncle Paul. Gramma wanted to make sure you could always come home, no matter what happened.

“Joe and I use the house as often as we can. We’ve kept the place up pretty well and made a few updates and improvements over the last few years. Our friend, Lucas Rhodes, rents the guest house and he keeps an eye on the place during the week. He’s the executive director of Tomorrow House and one of our dearest friends. The Engelhardt brothers still lease the farmland same as they have since Gramps passed. Bill’s youngest son, Jeremy, has taken over running things for Bill and Gary over the last couple years. He’s doing some interesting things with the sustainable agriculture people at NC State. Anyway, the rent money covers the expenses and taxes with a bit of profit on top of it, not enough to live on, but it’s not pennies either. Your share has been sitting in an investment account at the bank this whole time. I haven’t checked the balance recently, but there’s a sizable lump of cash sitting there compounding for you. I know you probably don’t need the money, but it’s yours.”

“I never dreamed she’d do that. Before I left, I went to talk with her so she understood why I was leaving. We both knew we’d never see each other again.”

“She loved you so much. At first, she was the only person who understood how much I missed you. Everyone else pretended you were just away at school or worse, that you never existed. Anyway, once she passed away, I decided I needed to grow up and go by Meg instead of Maisy to honor her memory. We shared so much more than the name Margaret.”

“That’s nice. She deserves to be remembered. Thanks for telling me. I love you, sis.”

“You have a lot of decisions to make and details to work out, but whatever happens, please don’t disappear on me again. I need my big brother as much as you need your annoying little sister. I love you, too.” Harper laughed and hugged her.

A few minutes later, they exchanged more hugs and “See you soons” until Meg and Joe had to leave for the airport. Harper returned to the bench and watched them disappear down the road. Memories of home and family assailed him, some good, many not so much. He sincerely wondered if he could go through with returning to North Carolina, even for a visit.

The next few weeks were uneasy ones. He was between writing projects which didn’t help. As a writer, Harper was always noodling on a few projects, but his deadlines were all very far away. Each morning, Harper ran hard and fast, punishing his body in an effort to find relief from the nightmares and sleepless nights plaguing him. Even then, it didn’t always work. To keep his brain busy, he worked a few shifts tending bar, filling in for the still AWOL bartender. Pete and Gavin kept to their normal routine and checked in with him every day. Constantly teetering on the thin line between worry and panic, his friends stayed close, trying not to smother him. Harper loved them all the more for it.

Late one night, Harper sat down with Pete and planned his trip. If everything went well, he’d stay for the entire summer, but he only committed to one week as a start. Pete reiterated that he and Gavin would drop everything to support Harper in North Carolina if he needed them; all he had to do was ask. Harper planned on inviting them to Ridgefield once he settled in, but it might take a while. Ten years was a long time to be away.