Come Back to me:Short Story by Candice Terry Read Free Book Online Page B

mistake. “ She explained.
     
    Come in first?
     
    I tapped my notepad and began to write. “Is dad here?”
     
    She nodded. “Yes, he’s out in the hall.”
     
    I started to write again but she grabbed my hand. “I know what you’re going to ask next, which I’m surprised that wasn’t your first question.” My mother smiled. “Yes, she’s out there with your father. She has no idea why we are here.”
    I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion.
    My mother sighed. “I didn’t want to get her hopes up in case…well they made one mistake already.” I nodded understanding. “She’s been-its’ been hard for her, son. She’s not been around a lot lately. “
     
    I drew a question mark on the pad. How could she not be around lately? Did she go to college out of state?
     
    “She moved out of her mother's a while back, honey. Got an apartment on the other side of town.”
     
    College? I wrote
     
    My mother shook her head. “She never went. Like I said it’s been hard for her.” She gave me another kiss on the forehead. “ Let me go get your father. Then we’ll send Ana in.”
     
    My father came in a few moments later with my mother holding his hand. He flopped in a chair beside the bed,my hand firmly grasped in his, while he silently cried. He stood and grasp me tight to him. Losing my sister years before had put a strain on him , I couldn’t imagine what losing both children had been like for him and my mother. They both looked aged .I was angry my family had been caused so much grief when I’d been right here all along.
    My parents leaned in giving me another hug together, then with clasped hands they walked out to get my AnaLee.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twenty-Three: AnaLee
     
    Mrs. Broadson  returned with red eyes to get Mr. Broadson and they made their way down the hall. I was getting more nervous by the minute.  I reached in my pocket and pulled out the picture of me and Jayse . I took in his eyes first. They glowed with happiness. I smiled a little at remembering that day. It was not long after we started dating. Jayse had found his dad’s old Polaroid camera while going through their attic and after searching around online bought enough film to last for two months. He’d snap pictures at least expecting moments. A lot of those shots filled my old shoe box at home. This picture though was perfect. He’d walked behind me slipping an arm around my waist whispering in my ear that he loved me then brought his arm around snapping the picture while we both had the perfect smiles on our face. In those smiles you could see the love we felt for one another.
    A tear dropped on the picture. I wiped my eyes not realizing I was crying, when his parents stepped back into the hallway. They were holding hands and both wore smiles on their face.
     
    I stood to meet them and Mrs.Broadson let go of her husband.
     
    She took my hand in hers and smiled. “I know you’re confused about this sudden trip, but I promise it will all be worth while.” She then nodded at her husband and led me down the hall.
     
    When reaching a wide tan door she let go of me.”Go on, honey. Everything will be fine.”  Then she left.
     
    I stood a moment longer, not knowing what I would find behind the door. Then I pushed it open slowly.
    I kept my head down as I walked through the entrance and shut the door easily behind me . What I was suppose to be seeing, I didn't know but I was scared to look.
     
    A breathy sound made my head snap up. When familiar green eyes met mine I gasped. Not believing what I was seeing, I slowly walked to the end of the bed  reaching out to touch the shape of a foot beneath the sheet. When my hand  made contact I knew I wasn’t  imagining things. I met his eyes again. Eyes I thought I’d never again see in my life.
    “ J-Jayse? “ Tears were streaming down his face as I walked closer.
     
    Before I could catch myself my knees buckled and I collapsed to