“Cody? Is that really you?” My mom stands in her doorway, tears welling in her eyes.
“Hi, Mom.”
“You’re really here?”
“I am.” I close the distance and wrap my arms around her.
“Come inside. You need to see what’s changed in here.”
I follow her in. Her limp is less pronounced than it used to be. I’m happy she’s been able to move on after that terrible accident.
But as I turn my attention to our surroundings, I’m surprised at what I see.Nothinglooks the same. The house looks like it was flipped—new wood flooring, and I walk in to see a state-of-the-art kitchen.
“How?”
My mom struggled during the years she raised me and my sister. She was always drinking and lost more jobs than she could keep.
“Well, you know I was doing the books for CC Construction. They liked my work and hired me on full-time. Between that regular income and the hands-on help that Bob has provided, I’m renovating the entire house.”
“Bob? Who is that?” My defenses immediately go up. Mom hasn’t exactly been known for her good taste in men. Most tried to take advantage of free rent back when I lived here. I had to kick them to the curb.
I walk down the hallway to the bedrooms. The master has been repainted, and it looks nice. I move on to my old bedroom, surprised when I open the door and see nothing has changed.
“A friend,” Mom replies. “Well, I guess he’s more than that now.”
“What do you mean more?” I sound defensive, I know. But she can’t blame me.
“He’s my boyfriend. He’s a good man.”
I enter my old bedroom. “Why are you renovating?”
Trophies still sit on top of my old dresser. I loved sports in high school; it was my skills in football that got me a scholarship to Havenwood.
I open the top drawer of my dresser, where I find the photo of Lucy and the business card of a jeweler I put there years ago. I had planned to buy her a ring and marry her.
When she doesn’t answer, I turn. She’s wringing her hands. “I’m selling the house and then moving in with Bob.”
Then she holds out her left hand.
My eyebrows shoot up. “Is that an engagement ring? He’s more than a boyfriend then?”
She smiles. “It is and yes he is. You’ll love him.”
I cross my arms. “Are you in love with him?”
“I am.”
My mom looks good. Content and healthy.
I drop my arms and pull her into a hug. “I’m happy for you. I can’t wait to meet him.”
She hugs me back then steps back. “Soon. Now tell me, what brings you back after all these years?”
“A job at Havenwood University.” I close the drawer and step out of the room.
My mom follows me and sits at the kitchen table. She motions for me to sit across from her. “Havenwood?”
“Yes.”
