Caramel Kisses

Chapter 6: Home Sweet Home

"Isn't she love-ly, Isn't she won-der-ful" Stevie Wonder's "Isn't' She Lovely" fills the air and I instantly know whose calling. I dig through my purse trying to find my phone before the call ends. Finally finding it, I quickly swipe the home screen and my mother's voice rings in over speaker.

" Hey Princess, How's the drive going?" my mom chimes.

"It's going fine so far, I'm about 20 minutes out."

My mother squeals with excitement, "I can't wait to see you! I'm so happy that you're going to be here."

I responded with a little less enthusiasm, "I can't wait either. This is going to be a huge change for me".

Hearing the change, my mother sighs" I know this isn't where you thought you would be at this stage of your life, but we never know why things happen. I do believe everything happens for a reason".

" I know, I know mom, I get that I'm just having a hard time seeing what the reason could be". Not trying to come off annoyed or rude, I was just tired of hearing the whole "destiny, and you'll end up right where you're supposed to be" remark.

"I understand, but all will be revealed at the right moment" she said encouragingly.

We chatted for a little while longer, before hanging up as I drove the last stretch to reach the town. I returned my attention to the road. It's like driving down memory lane as the familiar little town comes into view. I was working in New York, my hometown is about a two-hour drive outside of town. Because of all the extra work I was putting in towards the promotion, it's been awhile since I've been home. Driving through town brings back a lot of memories from my childhood. It gives me a sense of peace to think back to a time when I didn't have any worries, just a young teen hopeful looking towards the future.

A few moments later, I pulled up to my family home,-the two-story farmhouse-styled home, all white with a gray roof that complimented the house's features. I always loved this home, my parents put a lot of work into it and it showed. It was their dream. They wanted to raise their family in a place of their own. My mother's favorite part of the house was her wrap-around porch that overlooked a small lake. She had her two large rocking chairs with a small table in between. She loved to sit out and take in the day as she drank her coffee. There was a lot of space in between each house, so it was quiet and peaceful. I'm surprised she wasn't sitting outside waiting for my arrival. I drive the moving truck into the driveway and put it in park. I take a deep breath, still trying to take in everything that's happening. It's starting to set in that I'm back home after making the spur of the moment decision to quit my job. I unbuckle the seat belt and make my way out of the truck. As soon as the truck door closes, I hear the screen door open and an excited screech follows soon after.

"Oh my goodness you're finally here!" I was then swiftly wrapped up in a big hug that instantly made my body relax. It feels as though all my worries were lifted off of my shoulders. I didn't realize how much I needed this hug. I return the hug with just as much force as my mother, she loosens her grip on me a bit and steps back to take a look at me.

"You look so beautiful, it seems like it's been forever since I've seen you," she stated with a soft smile gracing her face.

"It has been awhile, work has consumed a lot of my time. I still feel bad that I had to miss so many holidays and events."

My mom drapes her arm over my shoulder. " Oh hush now! That's all in the past, you're here now and that's all that matters."

My mother releases me and walks back up to the porch, ushering me to follow her. I walked back to the truck to grab my suitcase. Entering the house, an overflow of emotions hits me. The smell of my mother's home-cooked meal filled my senses, making my mouth water. It had been a long time since I had my mother's cooking, I eagerly moved toward the kitchen and placed my hand on the top of the pot to lift, to see the content inside.

My mother swiftly pops me on the hand with her spoon, causing me to drop the top back in place. "I know you aren't in my kitchen without washing your hands" my mother says with the look only a mother can give. I let out a hearty laugh as it brought back the memory of when my older brother and I would run into the kitchen fresh from playing outside. Trying to see what was cooking in the oven, only to get swatted away by my mom and her dish towel. "Alright, I'm gonna head up and take my shower" I said, laughing, walking out of the kitchen.

Walking up the stairs, I take in the family photos that line the wall. Photos of my brother's and my graduation, sports photos fill the walls along with baby pictures, and family portraits. I can't help but smile as I take them in. I was a bit weary of having to come back home, but what better place to be than with the people who care and love me. I made my way upstairs and headed for my old bedroom. I open the door, and it's like I am stepping into a time capsule. The room is decorated with my favorite boy band posters littering the walls. I smile thinking back to a simpler time when fan girling over my favorite boy band member was my biggest issue. I throw my suitcase on the bed and unzip it to get a pair of comfortable clothes out.

Walking down the long hallway, I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower to let it warm up a bit. Turning away from the shower, I stood in front of the mirror and took myself in. It feels like I haven't had a moment to stop and look at myself. Looking over my huge curly puff sitting on top of my head. It has been my go-to hairstyle since everything happened. I hadn't had the energy to take care of it. I made a mental note to go ahead and wash my hair. I also noticed that my skin wasn't as vibrant as it usually was. My sun-kissed skin seemed dull and lifeless, the dark circles under my eyes made me realize that I had been neglecting my self-care. The light from my gray eyes seemed to have left. I did not recognize the woman who was standing before me. I needed to find a way to get back that spark I once had.

Stepping into the shower, it seemed as though the water was washing away all of my worries. A sense of relief and comfort washed over me with this one shower. Being home really lifted my spirits. Standing in the shower for another ten minutes just letting the hot water rush over me, soothing my senses. Turning off the water, I step out and dry myself off, placing my comfy clothes on and tossing my clothes into the hamper. I made my way downstairs; I could hear my dad's voice as soon as I hit the stairs with his hardy laughing filling the air, as I heard him telling my mother about his day.

"Hey Jellybean, long time no see!" he states with a smile that reaches his eyes, he extends his open arms to me.

Out of reflex, I walk over and slump into his hug, not realizing how much I've missed this feeling. He pats me on the back a couple of times and I lift myself slightly to step back away from him still within grasp." You have grown so much since the last time I saw you. My baby girl isn't a baby anymore." he gestures while wiping an imaginary tear.

"Yeah Yeah I'm a big girl now", I push out while laughing flexing my muscles like a body builder. It was something me and my dad had done since I was a little girl. Watching WWE was one of our favorite past times and something we bonded over. Letting out a laugh, he says "You'll always be my little jellybean". My dad stands to his feet and places a kiss on my forehead and then turns to my mother and gives her a kiss. "I'm going to hit the shower, and I'll be back down for dinner so we can all catch up." we nodded, and he disappeared into the hall.

I turned my attention back to my mother who was finishing up the sides for dinner, swiftly moving about the kitchen. "Is Asher going to be coming back home anytime soon" I state breaking the trance my mom was in. My older brother also lives in New York. He's 3 years older than me; he was a stockbroker and a very successful one at that. We had met a couple of times when I lived there, but with my need to achieve, I would often ask for a rain check to catch up with him at another time. I feel bad about it now. I wish I had made the time to see him.

"He said that he would be able to come sometime next week! He's excited for us all to be together again", She said with a smile, still busying herself with cooking.

"That's great. I'm looking forward to seeing him as well. It's been so long I'm kind of ashamed at how long it's been"

"Well. It's alright you guys both had busy lives out in New York. It couldn't be helped."

I let out a sigh, thinking back to how I would blow off his invitation to go out to work late, which in the end didn't amount to much. No need to dwell on it now. Mom claps her hands together, getting my attention. "Alright, let's get this table set so we can eat" she rings out. In that moment, my father also appeared from the hallway rubbing his hands together," Let's eat!" He yelled in excitement.

"How convenient for you to appear right when it's done." Mom said, giggling and shaking her head at my father. "

What can I say? I have a sixth sense when it comes to your cooking." he states as he walks over and places a kiss on her forehead.

"Yeah Yeah Yeah" she swats him away with her stirring spoon. My father laughs and makes his way to the table; it was always nice growing up and seeing the love that they shared. It was something I admired about them. Many years had passed between them, but they were the same playful and loving parents I remember from my childhood. It was something that I hoped to have in my future relationship if that ever happened.

As if reading my mind, my father chimes in "So jellybean is there anyone special in your life nowadays?" he says with a mischievous grin on his face with one of his eyebrows c****d up.

I rolled my eyes and let out a slight huff, because I knew what he was trying to do. My mother had been trying to get me set up with one of her community leader's sons for the longest time. He knew that my mother would bring it up, and he enjoyed the back and forth show that would commence.

" No dad, I'm not dating anyone or anything like that. In fact, I don't think I'm in the state to be thinking about anything like that." I let out in an annoyed tone, knowing my mom would soon join the conversation.

As if on que, she comes out of the kitchen with plates in her hand headed for the table "Well you know Kristie's son is back in town, he's a nice young man. It wouldn't hurt just to meet him. You never know what might come of it." She states with a determined smile on her face as she places the plates of food in front of us.

" Mom, I feel like I could be putting my energy towards something more important, like securing a new job"

"There is no need for you to go rush off into a new job, just take a break and relax for a bit, you worked hard for a long time. Try and enjoy the time off. And who knows, you might make a connection." she states with a grin while squeezing my hand in hers.

" Yeah, Jellybean, no one is saying run off and get married, but it could be nice for you to get out there and make some friends so you aren't hold up in this house." I nod, they're right. I do need a break. It wouldn't hurt to get out more and who knows, I just might meet someone.

The rest of dinner went by smoothly, filled with laughter and reminiscing on memories. I cleaned up the table and washed the dishes, since my mother had done all the cooking. I bid my parents goodnight and headed back up to my room, flopping down on the bed and throwing the covers over me. I couldn't help thinking back to the conversation with my parents. It is about time that I got back out on the dating scene. The last guy I dated was almost four years ago, and that didn't end so well. Closing my eyes and letting out a sigh "I guess It wouldn't be so bad to meet someone". I say to myself as I drift off to sleep.