Home is Where You Are

Chapter 19

The Toronto airport is so busy.

People are running to others, crying.

I don't even know where to find Liam.

My phone vibrates though as I get in my car.

Unknown Number: babes its liam. We all rented a house, just like paying weekly, until we all get to go home

It was only a three hour flight.

It was seven when we took off. It's ten fifteen at home, and it's the same time here.

I don't text him back.

I put the address into the GPS and stop by a store to get him a brand new razor, shampoo

There's a lot of traffic on the way there. Cars are lining the street for this house. All the neighbors are outside, trying to help the best they can.

People are here to pick up their families.

Every light is on in the house.

Liam.

I get out, locking my car.

A man with a beard stops me.

"Are you here to get somebody?"

"Yes." I say.

He nods. "LIAM!" he yells.

"How did you know?" I ask.

"He never stops talking about his hot Australian girlfriend."

"I'm busy!"

Liam.

It's his voice.

It's him.

"YOUR HOT AUSTRALIAN GIRLFRIEND IS HERE!"

It's seconds later that Liam comes rushing up.

Don't cry.

Don't cry.

He's got a full beard. His hair grew so much, it's almost to his shoulders. He smells like body odor, and he's in the same outfit he was six months ago.

There's holes in his shirt, his shoes are ruined.

He looks so tired.

His muscles are bigger now. He looks stronger.

But still, his eyes light up.

"Abby, I smell like shit." He says.

"I don't care." I say, walking into his arms.

He hugs me back.

I can only stand the smell for a minute before I pull away.

"See?" he laughs.

It's his laugh.

It's his laugh.

It's Liam.

It's not Liam's brother.

Or his parents.

It's him.

"Before we go, I want to find clothes for a shower."

"I bought you clothes, a razor, and shampoo, and a washcloth, and deodorant, and a toothbrush, toothpaste, and peroxide."

He looks so happy.

He follows me to my car.

He doesn't mention how the bags under my eyes are almost black.