When was the last time I stepped into this yard? God, it had so long. My heels clicked against the brick walkway, cutting into the silence—the same type of boring silence I hated as a teen. My home still sat there, its roof sagged, forcing the porch to skew lopsided. The old, derelict house was void of all life and love. The grass reached my knees while weeds overtook the bed of flowers that once grew every spring and fall. The gnarled oak tree, which I used to sit under, dumped its leaves all over the yard, leaving several bags worth of foliage. Everything had disappeared, but it didn't surprise me. We all checked out years ago.
Fiddling with my house keys, I thought about what I wanted to do. After all these years, here I was, darkening this doorstep and maybe for the last time. I walked up the rickety steps, gripping the banister when one of the slats buckled under my weight. And when I climbed onto the porch, a tune of loud creaky noises sounded, making me shiver. I pulled open the screen door, listening as it let out a slow whine of protest. Looking down at the old doorknob, I pushed the key inside the lock and turned. It took a while to jimmy, but I managed with one, hard turn. Hot air and the smell of mildew greeted me as I stepped inside the dark house.
Gagging, I cursed before lurching out a cough and covering my nose. It felt like a large cyclone of dust flew into my face. A car drove by and slowed down to a stop. Refusing to step outside, I walked deeper into the living room. Greedy hands sold off most of the furniture, leaving the rooms barren. Dust covered the rest of the furniture, along with spider webs, which clung between chair and table legs.
Standing in the middle of my childhood living room, I allowed the memories to flow, recalling birthdays, holiday meals with family, fights, and laughter. Loud and heavy footsteps echoed behind me. I turned my head. The unwanted visitor stood at the door, staring. He was different-looking, but I instantly recognized his face.
"Hi there," I said as emotions slammed into my chest. A long pause followed as I continued to stare. "Wow, it's been a long time." Heavy emotions laden my voice.
"Yeah, it has," he replied.
YOU ARE READING
Wildfire Summer
RomanceHow much craziness can happen during a course of one summer? Prom night was supposed to be magical, but for Wilhelmina Lawson, it ended in heartbreak that left her utterly embarrassed. After a chance encounter, an unlikely person brings her a new pe...
