NovelFinishChapter 34 "There is no land like the land of your childhood." Michael Powell My heart was a drum pounding in my chest as I stood on the porch of a tiny white house. It was tiny and tucked into the suburbs, so much so that even my Uber driver had missed it. There wasn't anything glamorous about it but I could tell it was well-loved. The tiny garden by the front of the house was blossoming and the white picket fence looked freshly washed. [) This was the address Steve had given me. It was nearly an hour from the airport in a tiny, suburban town called Yorba Linda. It was a relatively easy trek from the airport even if the Uber ride had been costly.
This is it, Clark. Just ring the doorbell.
As I pressed the doorbell, I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. Fight or flight, Clark? It's not too late.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtPart ofwanted to turn around and take off. Where I'd go, I'm not sure. But now that I was actually standing in front of the door, all I wanted to do was flee. I felt completely unprepared. It had been seven years — what was I supposed to say to the woman who abandonedseven years ago? Unfortunately, I didn't have any more tto mull it over. I heard the echo of footsteps on the other side, and then suddenly, the door opened and I was face-to-face with Uncle Steve.
Fight, it is.
A knot settled into my stomach. He looked almost identical to what Iremembered him to be - with just a few more wrinkles and a thinner face.
"Clark!" His deep voice boomed, and then he pulledinto a crushing hug. "It's so good to see you, kid! You look so grown up!" I managed to wrap my arms around his large frame, and inhaled his scent. He smelled just like I remembered too - like tobacco smoke and citrus. The man had always had a thing for citrus fruits.
Steve was a large man. Not as tall as my dad or most of the male wolves I'd known, but he made up for it in bulk. He was a gym rat and even with my head buried into his shoulder, I could tell his biceps were still as big as tree trunks. *) His bald head and heavily-tattooed arms didn't make him look any less intimidating either. While I'd always known him as a big softie, he certainly looked the "tough guy" part.
"Uncle Steve," I breathed, "It's good to see you." He pulled back and I caught a glimpse at the big, wide smile on his face.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you, kid,” he said, and I could see tears pooling in his eyes, "But enough of this sappy stuff. Let's get inside. I'm sure you could use something to eat or drink." I couldn't deny that a hinterior was just as cozy as the outside, and the house defin meo lush pillows on the couch. For as long as I could remember, Steve wasn't much of a relationship g ars, Clark. A lot h Steve flushed and scratched the back of his neck. "Well, there is someone," he said, "We've been together for, uh, awhile. Years, really. We can talk more about that later, but she makeshappy, Clark." \* about you as a kid. You were also rescuing my mom from every littl yours Steve gavea half-hearted chuckle. "Speaking of your mother," he said, "She'll be getting hfrom work any minute. Why don't you take a seat at the table and I'll whip you up sfood? I can practically hear your stomach growling from across the room, kid. You still like box mac and cheese?" ," I said, taking a se hen t e first things ['d learned to cook for myself. I couldn't always count on my mother to provide dinner when she was on a bender or However, once I moved in with my dad, the days of box mac and cheese were over. Worrying about dinner was no longer my responsibility. That was now Grace's responsibility. | traded Kraft mac and cheese for homecooked roasts and steak with mashed potatoes. If we did have macaroni and cheese, it was always made from scratch. I think Grace would've had a heart attack before she willingly made her family box mac and cheese. \°)
ed to wrap my head around the fact that I was even sitting in this kitchen with Steve For So Steven Sign so long, eve, or anyone else. He was upset for a long tthat she had keptfrom him, and it fe
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHey there! Just a friendly reminder that if you're not reading this book on e nels.com, you might
be missing out on the complete story. Head over there to dive into the viel next chapter-it's all free! mom or bringing up Uncle Steve at the dinner table was a no-no.
t so much as a phone all or a visit, I just felt abandoned. I didn't want to answers. I can ask her why eps entering the house echoed around the be your mother," he The door to the kitchen swung open and I caught my first glimpse of the mother I hadn't seen in seven years. She had aged but I could tell it was her. The sred hair, brown eyes, and freckles were unmistakable.
We're still the spitting image of each other.
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