Page 6 of Ember’s Heart

Colton

A fter the disastrous reunion with Ember, I just wanted to get to my parents’ house and unpack. To try to get some order in all the chaos that was my life.

My truck rumbled along the long, gravel driveway, kicking up dust behind me. My parents’ property stretched out on either side, nothing but green grass, trees all around us, surrounded by mountains in the front and a creek in the back.

Our house was a modest, one-story, three-bedroom ranch style. It had a big, open kitchen and living room. Huge windows in the living room overlooked the front yard and the long driveway. A wide front porch ran along the front of the house, complete with the porch swing that my dad built for my mom.

Around the back was an enclosed porch off the kitchen, which led to the back patio with a grill and a picnic table. The parking area and garage were tucked away behind the house.

My parents, Jerry and Paula, were the heart and soul of this place.

Dad was only in his early fifties but looked older thanks to years of hard labor.

He had enlisted in the Army right out of high school and served a full twenty years.

He’d come home to work full-time at the local steel mill, but about five years ago he decided to cut back to part-time.

My Mom was his high school sweetheart. They’d married right after graduation, and she gave up her dream of going to college to support my dad and made a home for him, and eventually me.

She cleaned houses and worked part-time at the library.

We didn’t come from money, but I always had everything I wanted and needed.

Pulling in I could just make out the sound of the creek that ran directly behind the house.

It was a welcoming and relaxing sound. My home was a simple house, but it was home .

And for the first time in a long time, the thought of being there, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds, gave me a feeling of peace.

I turned off the ignition and sat there for a moment, eyes closed, my hand still gripping the steering wheel. I took a deep breath, trying to collect myself. Maybe, just maybe, I could find my way back to myself.

I heard the familiar creak of the screen door opening on the back porch.

“Colton?” My mom’s voice, warm and familiar, reached me, laced with a mixture of relief and hesitation.

I opened my eyes and turned to see her standing on the porch, her hand resting on the railing.

Her face lit up with a genuine smile when she saw me, a smile that wavered as her eyes immediately filled with tears.

I hadn’t seen her, hadn’t seen either of my parents, in almost a year.

The thought that I’d been away that long filled me with guilt.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed open the truck door and stepped out. “Mom,” I said, my voice rough, thick with emotion.

She stepped off the porch and practically rushed towards the truck, her arms already outstretched.

“Oh, Colton,” she said, her voice catching on a sob as she reached me.

She pulled me into a tight hug, burying her face against my shoulder.

Her embrace was exactly as I remembered, comforting and familiar, but I also felt the years of worry I put her through.

“It’s so good to have you home,” she whispered, her voice choked.

I hugged her back, the familiar scent of her perfume grounding me. For a moment, I allowed myself to simply be her son again, to let go of the hardened shell I’d built around myself.

When I felt her loosening her arms around me, I pulled back, her eyes searching mine, her smile fading slightly. “You look tired, honey,” she said, her voice laced with concern.

I forced a smile, trying to reassure her. “Just a long drive, Mom. That’s all.”

She didn’t look convinced. She knew me too well. She didn’t know the darkness that was inside me, or the demons I was battling. I never told her and wasn’t about to. She didn’t need to know. It’s something no mother wants to hear about.

“Come on,” she said, her hand resting gently on my arm. “Let’s get you inside. I’ll make you something. You look like you haven’t eaten in days. ”

I chuckled, a genuine laugh this time. “Actually, coffee sounds good, Mom.”

She led me into the house, the familiar warmth of the kitchen hitting me as soon as I stepped in. Everything seemed to be just as I remembered it.

I settled onto one of the stools at the kitchen island, watching her as she grabbed a mug from the cupboard and poured me a cup of coffee.

She placed the steaming mug in front of me, her eyes still searching mine. “So,” she said, her voice hesitant. “How was the drive?”

I shrugged, taking a sip of the coffee. “Long,” I said. “But I’m here now.”

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands as she fiddled with a dish towel. “We’re… we’re glad you’re back, Colton,” she said, her voice soft. “But… we don’t want you to feel obligated to be here.”

“I know, Mom,” I said, cutting her off. “But I’m staying. I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to come back. Not really. But I know you and Dad need help. You’re not getting any younger, and I can see the strain. I want to be here, to help.”

She nodded, a grateful look in her eyes. “Thank you, honey. That means a lot. How is Cade? Does he know you’re back?”

“He’s doing alright. It’s been a while since I’ve talked to him, so I haven’t told him yet.” I paused, a tension settling in my shoulders. “I haven’t… I haven’t talked to anyone else.” I didn’t have to say who the ‘ anyone else’ was, she knew.

Her eyes softened, and she reached across the island to place a hand on my arm. “Ember?” she asked gently.

I nodded, my jaw tightening. “Yeah.”

She sighed, her gaze drifting towards the window.

“Colton, I don’t know what you faced over there.

I don’t know what you saw. But I do know what you went through afterwards.

You suffered. And I remember your father when he came back from his time overseas.

He was… different. He needed space, time to heal.

I understand that. But it’s been long enough, don’t keep pushing everyone away, honey. ”

She paused, her eyes searching mine. “You need to find a way to make amends, Colton. With everyone. Especially with Ember. You and Cade were inseparable as boys, but there was always something with you and Ember. Laura and I had several conversations about it over the years, especially as you two got older.”

We talked for a while, and I listened as she filled me in on the local gossip around Rose Valley. “Mom,” I said, setting down my mug. “I think I’m going to go unpack. Maybe get some rest.” The exhaustion finally hitting me.

She nodded, her expression understanding. “Of course, honey. Your room’s just as you left it.”

I stood up, pushing away from the island, I bent down to give my mom a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”

Turning I headed down the hallway towards my room.