Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Teresa came from behind a new shipment of boxes that hadn’t been opened and stocked yet. “What, Momma?” she asked, then her eyes met mine and she squealed with delight before running toward me. I barely had time to catch her in my arms when she threw herself against me.
“EZMITA! You’re home!” she cried out and held on to me so tightly it was difficult to breathe. I was sure this affection was due to the fact she missed me but she also missed Rosa. I knew Rosa hadn’t been home since Christmas. I spoke to her often on the phone.
“Missed you too,” I replied. The smile on my face was genuine and needed. Just coming back here made all the hard stuff fade away.
“Are you staying all summer? Can we go shopping? Will you stay in Nashville? Can I come visit? Will you be here for my graduation this Friday?” She began drilling me with questions as she leaned back to look at me but didn’t release me just yet. It was as if she were afraid I would disappear.
“Not sure. Yes. Not sure. Yes, wherever I end up. Of course,” I replied. “Did you honestly think I would miss the first Ramos to walk across the Lawton Lion field and get a diploma?” I asked her. Both Rosa and I had been homeschooled. I was thankful Teresa had been able to experience high school.
She grinned brightly. “I am a first, aren’t I?” She was proud of that.
“Yes, you are. Momma and Papa are getting lax in their old age,” I teased and winked at Momma.
She scowled at me, but I could see the twinkle in her eyes. Having almost all of her kids home made it difficult for her to be angry. “That is enough chatty chat for now. Teresa, you go watch the store. I need to feed Ezmita,” Momma said and continued on walking toward the house entrance.
I gave Teresa’s hand a squeeze. “We will talk tonight after work is over,” I promised her. “I want to know all about the hallways of Lawton High.”
She nodded happily, then hurried on to the front of the store.
“Your father will be back from the bank soon. He knows you’re coming. He will hurry,” Momma told me as we walked into the house.
“How did he know I was coming?” I asked.
She glanced back at me over her shoulder. “I told you, I made the chocolate conchas this morning,” she replied as if I were daft.
“Oh, right,” I said and bit back my smile. It is so odd now to think there was a time only a few years ago I’d wanted nothing more than to get away from my parents and this place. Now, as I walked into the door of our home, my heart was healed. I felt whole again. It was as if Momma’s arms and these walls held magical powers to fix me.
“Momma,” I said, stopping as I closed the door behind me and inhaled the smell of home. Tears stung my eyes once more, and I struggled to keep from crying.
“What is it?” she asked me.
“It’s good to be home. I missed you and Papa,” I said, unable to find the words to express all the emotion in my chest.
“Oh, Ezmita. It will always feel that way when you return. It’s okay to cry. Happy tears are those that built these walls,” she said and reached up to gently pat my cheek. “Now come eat.”
Laughter bubbled from my chest as tears fell onto my cheeks. “Okay, Momma,” I replied.
Walking through the hallway and into the kitchen, I saw our memories hung on the walls. Family portraits taken every year along with baby pictures of all the Ramos kids. I couldn’t remember the last time this wallpaper had been anything different than the blue flowers. That once annoyed me, but now I cherished it. I found comfort in it.
“Sit,” Momma instructed as I walked into the kitchen.
I did so, and she began making me a plate of food. It would be far too much food, but I would eat it all to make her happy. Seeing her had made me happy. How odd growing up was. You went from wanting your momma as a child, to wanting to get away from her as a teen, to wanting her yet again as an adult.
“What thoughts have that smile on your face?” Momma asked as she put a plate of chocolate conchas and a serving of mixed berries sprinkled in sugar as if I were still five in front of me.
I looked up at her. “The truth?” I asked.
She nodded her head.
“You,” I told her.
CHAPTER THREE
ASA
Nash had offered to let me stay at his place while I was in town, but I had needed somewhere I could escape to in the evenings. I had decisions to make, and being back here in Lawton was enough to mess with my head. I wasn’t the same kid who left here five years ago, and I had a decision to make that would impact the rest of my life.