From VanillaExtract: Hello readers! It's a rare treat to experience a story from two different perspectives, and I'm excited that DidIDoThat approached me with the idea to rewrite April Homecumming in the spirit of the original. If you've read April Homecumming and you enjoyed it, you'll love April Cumming Home. And if you haven't read the original, give it a try after you finish this one. Both DidIDoThat and I really enjoyed writing these, and we hope you enjoy reading them too.
From DidIDoThat: Dear Reader, Writing stories is an intensely personal experience, all of my stories become very precious to me. Vannilla Extract was brave enough to let me re write his story and I am so grateful for his generosity. I has so much fun working on this story, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it, and don't forget to vote and, of course, read the original April Homecumming
Today is the day, finally I get to go home. Normally 18 signifies that you're going to spread your wings and head out, usually to some far away college. Not me, I just wanted to go home, a home I haven't seen for four years. I couldn't stand his visits, I refused to see him, but I knew where to stand and I'd peek out the barred window for just a glimpse of him. I'd cry and cry till no more tears would come. I did write, very occasionally, and he'd write to me, wonderful caring letters, the only bit of me I managed to keep alive. A daughter needs more.
"April Cummings," a correction officer called. I'd been waiting since last night to get to this final room, all the formalities final this and final that, normally a guard calling your name was bad, today it was heavenly.
I did what I had to do, anything, I didn't care, what ever I'll stand here, I'll jump, how high? Anything to get though the door, that final tiny door.
My heart was hammering. I was going to see my Daddy again. I was so nervous. I straightened my hair. I wanted to look as good as I could, not easy when you don't get to a mall for four years.
I stared at the white door in front of me waiting for it to open. I was prepared for the worst though. I'd been bad, I knew I'd caused so much trouble, sessions with the shrinks had helped, but the only thing I wanted to know would he, could he, forgive me? Could I ever make him understand. It would be enough if I could just see him again.
The door opened and he was there standing with his back to me.
"Daddy?" I asked nervously.
He hesitated for a second, was he deliberately standing with his back to me? He spun round to face me.
"April?"
"Hi," I said.
I was so excited, here he was as handsome as ever his big broad shoulders and solid chest. He'd even combed his hair, and the shirt and tie, had he done that for me I wondered?
"You're so tall!" He said
I smiled, I couldn't hold back, I felt like I was carried by angles I flew across the room to him, my arms reaching for him, crushing him to me. I just wanted to hold him close, closer just let everything else disappear.
I kissed him, properly, on the lips, I felt like I was on fire, any moment now I was going to burst into flame.
"I've missed you so much, Daddy." I said, I meant every word.
"I, I missed you too, April," He stammered. "Did you get my letters?"
"Of course, all of them," I said, taking a deep breath, staring at him and I couldn't keep the smile off my face. "Thanks. They really kept me going. I wanted to write back more, but postage is so expensive in here."
"Oh. I wish you would've told me. I would've sent money."
"That's okay. Girls have a way of losing money in here."
"I see. Well, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, I think I've stayed long enough. You don't know how much I've been looking forward to getting out of here."
"Me too," He I said.
I had more papers to sign, mostly for my personal stuff. I had to sign all the papers on the low counter, which forced me to bend over at the waist. I glanced up at the mirror in the corner, was Dad checking out my ass? I shifted my weight, his eyes followed, he was totally checking me out!
"Yay, I'm free!" I cried as I stepped out of juvenile hall. I stuck my arms out Shawshank style and looked up at the blue sky, I'll bet every ex con does it. "Even the air smells better on this side of the fence."
Daddy chuckled and walked on. I ran after him and wrapped myself around his strong arm.
"Thanks for picking me up, Daddy."
"Well, of course. You didn't think I would?"
"I know you said you would in your letter, but I dunno... I wouldn't pick me up after what I did."
"I'll always pick you up, sweetheart." He opened the door for me, like a true gentleman.
"New truck?" I asked.
"Yeah, the old one got crushed by an earth mover."
"Wow, how did that happen, crazy driver?"
"Er, well, I was the one driving the earth mover. Long story. Get in."
I climbed in, the truck already smelt like Dad, strong coffee and earth, with a hint of machinery. The engine started and we pulled away, I was terrified, I didn't want to do anything to jinx it, this was way better than I'd even imagined it to be, better even than escaping. I sighed deeply as the distance increased and the tension faded.
"Phew," I said. "So what have I missed? Catch me up on your life, Daddy. Are you still working construction?"
"Yup. It pays the bills."
I grinned at him and reached for his bicep and then stroked across his chest. "I can tell. You're still in great shape."
He laughed. "Thanks, I guess."
I smiled some more, I couldn't stop smiling today, I unclipped the seat belt and slid over so I was pressed up beside him. I took his arm and wrapped myself tight round it. It felt so safe. I took his big paw between my two hands, I rested my head on his shoulder and tucked my feet up onto the seat.
"I've missed you so much, Daddy."
"I missed you too, baby."
I kissed the back of his hand, it was huge, as big and strong as I remember them. I tucked it between my knees, just feeling the warmth of the skin. It felt so good to be touched there and knowing it was in a good way. I moved his hand further up my thigh. His hand felt cool and firm on my thigh, even through the denim his hand felt like a steel vice. He squeezed my thigh and stroked my leg with his thumb, it was all I could do to stop myself moaning out loud.
"Mmm, my daddy," I whispered, I had to kiss him, I couldn't stop myself, I kissed his jaw, he'd shaved, there was slight stubble I could feel on my lips as I held there just feeling his skin with my lips. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, baby."
I took a breath. "So, um, can we get a few things out of the way?"
"Sure," He said, it was hard to think with his hand on my thigh, it felt so good, but I needed to know so I had to focus and ask.
"Item number one," I said, looking forward, hoping that by looking away I could focus and he wouldn't distract me. "How long can I stay at home until I have to move out?"
"Move out? You're welcome to stay as long as you want. But if you want to move out on your own, I understand."
Shocked I looked back at him, he meant it for real, he totally meant it! "I wanna stay forever. I never want to move out."
"Oh? I'm sure you'll meet a guy down the line, get married, all that. But until then, you're always welcome at home."
"Good. But about that meeting a guy thing..." I said, clearing my throat, I gotta tell him, but in the right way, my heart is hammering in my chest.
"You've already met a man? It's not a correction officer, is it?"
"No. Actually... I'm a lesbian now."
He swerved off the road. The whole car vibrated as we hit the shoulder he swerved back into the lane. "A carpet cleaner!?" He cried.
"The mud mat too," I said, biting my lip. "Are you grossed out? Did I just get disowned?"
"Uh, no, no, of course not," He said, as he put his hand back on the wheel, he sat there for a moment just staring out the windshield. His knuckles were white as he gripped the wheel. I waited for him to speak.
"It's just, I was raised conservative, but, uh, wow, that's your choice. I've already lost you for four years. I'm not going to throw away any more time by telling you how to live your life."