“Happy now that you’re home.” He smiled then passed me over to Mom who nearly squeezed the life out of me.
“My sweet girl,” she cooed over my shoulder. She drew back, looking me all over, rubbing my hair, squeezing my cheeks. I laughed, playfully swatting her hand away. “You look like you haven’t slept in ages, Kandy. Are you tired? Hungry? We can get you something to eat and let you rest. I read something somewhere that the first year is always the roughest. I had a hard time getting used to the college life myself.”
“Babe,” Dad chuckled, wrapping an arm around me. “Will you calm down? She’s fine.”
Mom inhaled before exhaling, shrugging. “Well, come on. Let’s get some lunch and catch up. All of us.” She joined Dad, throwing an arm around his waist and walking. We’d made it to the car, where we decided we would eat at one of our favorite restaurants in the city. They served the best steak burgers—not too greasy, not too dry—and I couldn’t forget to mention the seasoned steak fries.
“Gah, I missed these burgers,” I groaned after taking a bite. I was settled in my booth, a chocolate milkshake, a load of fries, and a double steak burger in front of me.
Dad laughed. “Got tired of eating noodles and pizza, huh?”
“Oh my gosh, like you wouldn’t believe!” I exclaimed. “I’m pretty sure I would have turned into a walking slice of pizza if this break hadn’t happened.”
They both laughed.
“Well, eat up,” Mom insisted. “There’s more where it came from.”
When lunch was wrapped up, I was pleased that it was easy-going and not at all awkward. It was almost like what had happened three months ago had never even occurred.
When we got home, we settled at the table with a pack of Oreos and milk as our dessert. Dad talked about work and how he was looking at signing up for the Sheriff’s position since the current one was thinking about retiring the following year. Mom talked about her job at a new law firm. She still worked the divorce lane, but wanted to switch to criminal justice after what Dad had gone through. She loved her new firm much better though.
Catching up, laughing, and spending time with my parents was amazing, but even so, I could still feel a bit of disconnect.
I caught the small glances Mom would give Dad when he would get a little too quiet. I noticed how she’d changed the subject when Dad asked if I’d met anyone new on campus. By new, I was sure he was asking if I’d met any boys. I had told Mom about a guy that was interested in me, but told her I didn’t feel the same for him. She told me to give it a chance, but that didn’t turn out so well, considering Brody now thought of me as a slut. I wondered if she’d told Dad about Brody.
“So, I did well on an essay I had,” I said, dipping an Oreo in a tall glass of milk. I liked to hold the cookie in the milk until it was mostly soggy, but the end, where my fingertips were, still had a little bit of crunch. It was the best. “A lot of people didn’t do so well and have to retake it when break is over, but I nailed it.”
I popped it into my mouth as Dad asked, “Oh really?”
“Yep.” I pulled my phone out and went to my browser where my grades were already waiting. I slid the phone across the table to him and he picked it up, reading the screen.
“Wow.” His eyes expanded as he focused on the screen.
“Let me see that.” Mom took the phone from him, studying the screen. Her eyes widened and she lifted her head, sliding the phone across the table and smiling at me. “Wow is right! I’m proud of you, honey!”
I smiled, dipping another Oreo into my milk. “Will it be okay if I go to Frankie’s tomorrow? I haven’t seen her since the summer, plus I miss driving Bubby. I know she’s missed me too.” I grinned.
“Kandy, you know you don’t have to ask to see Frankie,” Mom said.
“You don’t have to ask to do anything anymore. You’re in college now,” Dad said. “Your car is still in the garage. After seeing that grade, I think you deserve a little fun. But don’t get too carried away,” he teased with a chuckle. Though he was kidding, I had a feeling his last statement held a deeper meaning.
Mom cleared her throat and reached for the Oreos as a distraction. Dad pulled his gaze away from me, clearing his throat as well.
Shit. I spoke too soon. There goes the awkwardness.
“Yeah, I won’t,” I muttered. Silence.
“I, um…I’m going to hit the shower. Got an early morning.” Dad stood and walked around the table to drop a kiss on my temple. “Night, my girl.”