Page 72 of Falling Back to You

“Half the time I don’t know where I’m going,” I blurted, providing the current status of my life.

“I just think we kinda got lost along the way.”

“Like we took different paths and were separated?”

“Something like that. Despite that minor hiccup, we’re here together now, and this time I’m letting you lead.”

All I could do was snicker at our potential fate if I were left in charge. “I’m directionally challenged.”

“That’s okay. I’ve learned my lesson. Letting go was the first mistake. But this time I’m holding on tight, because where you go, so do I.”

14

Ozzie

Sheila Birch opened the door to her condo and wrapped us up in a joint hug before giving each of us singular attention. “How did I get such a stunning daughter? I think you get prettier with each passing day.” Sheila ran her hands down the length of Dial’s long locs. Moving closer, she examined her daughter’s face. It had been months since the two had seen one another, and I understood the longing to get a good look to ensure her baby girl was thriving.

Once she was through with Dial, she turned to me. “Ozzie, my sweet, big boy.” She wrapped me in another hug.

Sheila was like a second mother to me, and her embrace felt like home. “It’s nice to see you again. We miss you in Hume.”

“Sheila, if you don’t let those two in and close that dang door…” came a voice from inside.

“So, Gainsborough hasn’t helped Dad to chill out,” Dial teased.

“You know as well as I do that shouting is his love language,” Sheila replied.

“Sounds like Dial,” I said.

Dial landed a soft punch to my arm. “I don’t shout.”

“You were yelling at me during the drive over.”

“Because you missed the turn.”

“The thing about turns… there’s always another one.”

“Not you two bickering like an old married couple.” Sheila stepped aside, letting us in.

In the living room, Joe Birch greeted me with a strong handshake and hearty pats to my back. I’d missed the one-big-happy-family vibes. After the breakup, people had been forced to pick sides. Of course, her parents, who once called me son and would drop off baskets filled with homemade bread and fresh eggs, sided with Dial. Shit, for a while there, Cyrus and I were on the outs. This is the side of heartbreak no one really talks about. In one fell swoop, I lost the love of my life and a familiar bond rivaling my blood relations.

“This boy is solid,” Joe quipped. “Are you hungry?” He didn’t wait for me to respond. “Of course you are. Sheila, let’s get this boy some food before he wastes away.”

“Can I get a hug, Dad?” Dial said.

Joe looked around me at her. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry.” He pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. “You know I’ve just missed my lil buddy over here.”

“Not so little. I swear you seem taller than I remember,” Sheila said. The Birches still talked to me like I was eight years old.

“You guys have to say things like that—you’re parents.” Dial placed her overnight bag in an empty corner.

“Last time I checked, so were you. Speaking of, I wish you had brought Maple with you,” Sheila said.

“She would’ve loved it, but we decided for the sake of expediency and our sanity that it was best to make the drive without her,” I said.

Joe chuckled. “Just like Dial. This girl right here would talk your ear off when she was a kid. Had questions about everything. I used to call her our little spy, ’cause it felt like she was collecting intel.” We all laughed.

Sheila waved an oven mitt in our direction. “Well, sit… dinner is ready.”