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Alyssa expelled a breath. “How did you know?”

“I can feel the tension radiating off of you.”

John knocked twice then opened the door to a home that she always wanted–a family with loving parents who accepted their children and their faults. The scent of peaches awoke her senses and she felt a sense of peace wash over her.

“Aside from yesterday, this is the first weekend you’re able to come home in months. I hardly get to see you,” Diane said as she embraced her son and dropped a peck on his cheek.

“Sorry Ma, next time.” Nodding toward Alyssa, he said “I had to see my girls.”

Diane brought her hands together and turned to Alyssa with a kind, genuine smile.

“Alyssa. How are you my dear? Where’s my little pumpkin?”

Before she could answer, Brooke opened her sleepy eyes and reached for Diane.

“May I?” she asked.

“Of course.”

Alyssa looked at John as Diane turned and walked into another room with her daughter. She wasn’t sure what to think of this. She thought there would be some hidden animosity, but there wasn’t. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Diane, Brooke had never reached for anyone other than John.

“All babies love my mom.” As if he read her mind, John answered the questioning look in her eyes. “She has, like, a gift with them.”

A raspy voice broke her stare. “Is that my little brother I hear?”

Coming around the corner were Luke and his girlfriend, Olivia. Alyssa had met both briefly but knew next to nothing about either of them.

“What up?” The brothers clasped hands and embraced each other.

“Long time no see.”

“Yeah, that’s because you’re touring the world and shit.”

Luke grinned. Luke’s smile was infectious. “What can I say? I’m a wanted man.”

“Hey now, settle down,” Olivia said, chiming in.

“Hey Livy.”

“John.” she nodded.

“You remember Alyssa, right?”

“I sure do.”

“Nice to see you again, Olivia.”

Well, wasn’t this just uncomfortable? Everyone making pleasantries in front of John’s parents’ door. That awkward silence hung in the air like an elephant in the room. This is why she didn’t want to come here. She felt so out of place.

“So you guys want to get a drink or something?” Luke asked.

“I’ll take water.”

John followed his brother outside to the cooler while Alyssa stayed inside with Olivia and Diane.

“I could sure use some sweet tea. Would you like a glass?”

“Yes, please.”