As Dan made the turn for the final stretches of drive, he looked out to see the familiar yet unfamiliar looking neighborhood. Familiar because nothing much has changed over the years, unfamiliar because he has not been visiting as much as he should.
When he thought of his mom calling and asking to visit more often and him always deflecting visiting with excuses, he felt a little guilty. She was always full of energy, active and an outgoing person. Nearing her fifty she's still like this.
He couldn't handle her energy. Still can't. For all her outward going personality her son didn't match it. Dan mostly liked to keep to himself, lost in his own thoughts. But she had a daughter to pick up his slack, so it evened out in the end.
When his thoughts drifted to his sister, Emma, his face became gloomy. His mom already told him about the break up and about that cheating piece of shit. He felt his blood boiling even thinking about it.
His poor sister. She was always the classy one. She didn't date anyone in high school saying that she didn't want to date anyone just for the sake of dating. She wanted to find the right person.
She was mature even as a kid, thinking ahead, nothing like him. It's sad that something like this happened to her. How could she get mixed up with a prick like that with all her wisdom he couldn't tell. But maybe love does that to people, even her.
He could only sign. If he could find that fucker, he will beat him to death for hurting his sister. He'll get to know more after going home. Mom told him she's already here.
Finally pulling into the garage, he felt exhausted. It was already very late. Now he just wanted to go straight into his bed. He picked up his luggage and got down. His mom was already waiting in the front with a big smile on her face. Making him feel guilty more.
"Hey mom". He greeted her with a hug. She hugged him back tightly. "Come here my sweet boy".
"Come, take a quick wash, I made your favorite."
He really wanted to go straight into bed, he was so exhausted. But seeing her this excited, he just couldn't say no. So he took a quick wash and came down to a scrumptious meal.
But Emma or dad wasn't here yet, it was already very late. "Where's Emma? And Dad's also not home yet?".
"Your dad is busy these days, something with work. Emma went to Trish's, she's supposed to be coming back by now though." She answered from the kitchen.
"How's she? Emma?"
"She... I don't know darling." She signed. "She's telling us she's okay. Me and dad tried to help, but I don't know, she really loved that boy. I honestly don't know how she's feeling right now. She's never been like this, keeping things from us."
He hugged her again, comforting her. He knew how much mom loved Emma, this must be devastating for her too. Her baby girl is hurting and she can't do anything to help.
"You should talk to her too, Dan. You two are close, maybe she'll open up with you. Even if she didn't just spend some time with her, that'll make her happy."
"Okay mom, I will."
"Okay eat now, I don't know when Emma and dad will come."
He had a nice home cooked meal after a long time. His mom's food is the best anywhere. After a happy meal, he waited some time for Emma but she didn't come home so he went to get some sleep as he was already dead tired.
******
He woke up a little early, the sun still hadn't peeked from the horizon. This was unusual for him. Typically he was not an early bloomer. He tried to stay in bed, but it felt boring. He felt tempted to scroll through his phone, but he didn't want to do that while he's here, home.
So he got up, went downstairs to get some coffee. As he neared the kitchen he heard the cling clang of cups. Emma was already there, making a coffee herself. Hearing him come in she turned and smiled at him.
"Good morning, want one?" she asked, gesturing towards her coffee.
"Morning, yes please." Dan said as he slid into a seat in the kitchen aisle.
He watched her. She was in a sweater suit, her dark brown hair down her shoulders casually. She didn't look any different, pre breakup and now, she looked casual as always. Her smile was also genuine just now.
He wanted to ask her how she's doing. But she must have been asked that question a million times already during this period. He didn't want to start her day like that, so he didn't.
"You went to Trish's last night? How's she now?" he asked instead.
She didn't answer him right away, poured the coffee into two cups and handed him one. She sipped her coffee with a sly grin on her lips.
"Awfully took a long time to ask that question, talk to mom last night?"
She didn't wait for his answer.
"Trish was fine. I'm going for a run, come with me."
It's like she read his mind, so he could only reply with a sheepish smile.
"I'm serious, come with me. We'll go for a run. Nothing like a run in the morning breeze, it'll be good for you."
"Yeah sure." it sounded like a good idea, a good way to break the ice too, regarding her break up.
"We'll go around the creek?" she asked with an expectant look in her eyes.
He raised his eyebrow in question at her. He knew the creek. There's only one place they both mention as the creek. It's an awfully long way though. He didn't know if wanted to run that far out.
It's one of their favorite places during their childhood days. Their grandparents' house was in the area, so when they visited them, both of them would run around the creek area playing. Later as they grew up they and with their grandparents' passing their frequent of the creek reduced.
But as it less became their childhood stomping ground, it already held a special place in their heart. So whenever life became difficult, they got hurt or simply wanted to relieve some stress, it became their go to place. It kind of became their sanctuary.
"It'll be fun. We'll run there, it'll be good cardio, have breakfast on the way too. We can spend the whole morning there. It'll be refreshing."
Pouting her mouth and batting her eyelids, "Come on big brother, don't you wanna cheer up your heartbroken little sister."
Wow. What was that? He stopped mid sip, staring at her, speechless. She may have pouted like that as a kid at their parents, but he can't remember the last time he saw like this.
Emma was always the mature one between them, even since school days. She displayed a maturity rare among that age, emotionally adept, taking responsibility seriously. Nothing like him, a reckless fool that he was at that age.
