Page 4

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I closed my eyes. “I'll look at it, alright?”

“When are you coming?” she asked impatiently. “I don't want them showing up out of nowhere and trying to force us out. I won't leave, Gwen, they'll have to drag my ass out of here kicking and screaming.”

“It won't come to that, Mom, it doesn't work that way. My flight leaves at seven tomorrow morning, so I should be home about twelveish, give or take.”

“Do you need Dad to come get you?”

“No, I'll just grab a cab, don't worry about sending Dad.”

“Does she need me?” my father asked over my mother's shoulder, his voice raspy as he coughed loudly into the phone.

“No, she's grabbing a cab. Will you back up, you're making me nervous.”

“Nervous, you're too old to be nervous.”

“Shoo,” she said, and with her tone, I could picture her waving her hand in his face to get him to back up. “Okay, Honey, I'm going to let you go, I'll see you tomorrow.”

Hanging up the phone, I stood in my window, watching the sky flicker with bright white speckles. The snow wasn't much of a change from where I grew up, but I never really left Colorado to get away from the snow.

Their was only one thing that forced me to leave and it had nothing to do with the weather.

Checking over my bag, I made sure I had everything I needed. It had been three years since I'd been back home. I left right out of college, taking the fist offer I got from a firm out of New York City.

It was perfect timing.

I was able to bypass the last few Christmas celebrations by claiming work was too busy to get away from. But this year, I couldn't say no.

My father had some medical issues pop up this past summer, and now with this crap with their house, it felt like I just needed to be there.

Climbing into bed, I made sure my alarm was set. Even as I turned the dial, I could feel my nerves starting to grow, making my heart beat faster. Sweat was already turning my skin clammy and warm, and my mind was running wild.

What if I see. . .

Don't do this, you'll never get on that plane if you think about him.

Resting my head on the pillow, I rolled onto my side, staring at the clock until I finally blacked out.

I only had to make it five days, five days and then I could fly back to my life.

Away from everything I wanted to forget.