-- GREYHOUND BUS --
The trees passing by brought back the familiar feeling of being on the cattle transport while we were in basic training. Last time I saw this I was falling asleep standing up, and now I'm watching them pass by comfortably. Well, as comfortable as you can be in faded and torn upholstery. This ticket was the cheapest I could take to get back home.
I never thought this day would come, finally done with my contract and using my GI Bill to pay for college so I can catch up to the friends I left behind. Three years flew by but I still bear the scars, physical and mental. Luckily, I have a supportive family where I'm headed. Kerry, my older sister just getting started on her life after finishing college and her internship. Mara, the younger one just starting college like me. We all chose to go to my mom's alma mater, University of Texas. I wasn't sure I'd get in, but they seem to have a soft spot for veterans.
Speaking of my mom, I hope she's okay. Ever since dad passed I feel like she's been holding everything together with spit and duct tape. When I would speak to her on the phone I could never tell if she was actually happy or just happy to hear from me. I know she didn't want me to join, but I couldn't watch her try to afford college for me after struggling to pay for Kerry's. I thank my sisters when I can for holding down the fort while I'm off playing soldier. They don't seem to mind too much, lends to the idea that you don't really need a "man of the house" around.
-- CAROLLON DRIVE --
"Thanks, hope you get more pickups today." Doubt the Uber driver heard me as he flicked to his phone before I even made it out of the car.
He drove off as I walked up the driveway, was the van always this shiny? I could hear music from the kitchen, K-pop, of course. Mara's been obsessed with it, I guess I'm not surprised since I keep up with her on TikTok and she's been filming herself dancing. I grip my backpack and take a deep breath, unsure what to do or say when I walk in, but I'm just happy to be back in the familiarity of home.
I reach for the garage door and before I can even grasp the handle it swings out and smacks my shoulder. I reel back and pull my hand away, I'm sure I looked angry but I smiled as soon as I saw Mara. She gasped and looked up, her look of shock also melted into a smile as soon as she saw me. I reached to hug her and didn't expect her to jump into my arms and almost knock me over. My backpack didn't help with the sudden weight but I was able to stabilize myself.
"Holy shit I'm so sorry, and holy shit you're back! Are you okay? Did I hit you too hard?" she exclaimed.
"It'll just add on to my other bruises." I pull my face into a smirk and she hugs me again. "You're just in time, we're almost done packing!"
My mom was always someone to do things last minute, I think it started after dad's passing. I can't be sure though, the years after were such a blur. She planned this homecoming vacation the last time we spoke and I knew it would be the day I got back but I didn't expect us to leave so early.
"MOM! KERRY! HE'S HERE!" She yelled towards the kitchen as she walked to her room. Maybe it was all the time I spent around uniformed men, but I caught myself staring at my own sister's ass. What the fuck is wrong with me? She definitely filled out and the spring days of soccer helped tone her legs. I think it was just a natural reaction for any male, right? She was wearing some white shorts and a neon green crop top with some scuffed up sneakers she's been overwearing.
As soon as I snapped my eyes away I see Kerry pop out of mom's room. She smiled and held her arms out as she made her way to me.
"Oh my god, you look so different!" She moved in for a hug and as I wrapped my arms around her I feel her give me a squeeze.
She pulls away and holds my biceps. "You definitely bulked up!", then she scrunched her nose to an annoyed face. "Which is something I wouldn't have to say if you fuckin took leave and visited at least once." I smiled and noticed her new haircut, nice and short, close to her shoulders. She looked like a model with how nice the angle came to frame her sharp chin. It looked good on her.
"Sorry, I just wanted to come home sooner. I told mom I was just saving all the days up so I could burn it to get out ASAP." I remarked.
"Good job on the timing then, she's pretty happy you're back at the start of summer." Her watch started ringing as she pulled her phone out. "Sorry, it's work, go say hi to her." She gestured to mom's room as I made my way through the parade of open doors.
I saw her as soon as I could see the bed, she was shoving something into her suitcase and pushed it down. As she did this her head turned to face me and her eyebrows made the "aww" face.
"My handsome baby's home." She said as she walked towards me. Another set of open arms, but this time she pulled me towards her head and turned. I gave her a peck on the cheek and noticed the familiar smell of bergamot. Something she always wore when we were going out. She pulled my head in and kissed my forehead. Multiple times. I notice her sun dress while I'm looking down, the floral patterns accentuating the white as I glanced at the low neckline leading to her breasts.
"Oh you're so skinny, did they not feed you?" She also squeezed my arms like Kerry but then moved to my torso. I tensed up since I wasn't used to being grabbed there.
"No, I starved myself to make sure I had room for some real food. Tired of the mess hall after three years." I tell her with a warm smile.
"I'm almost done packing, go heat up and finish the lasagna from last night. Can't leave anything in there since we'll be gone." She pushed me to turn around and smacked me on the ass. That was new.