Every Part of Us

After three long days on the road, we've finally arrived, the town where my mom grew up. It's not as bad as she described, though it's definitely... different. 

"Mom, can we get lunch? I'm starving," Erika whines, clutching her stomach.  

Mom, however, is immune to her theatrics. "We can eat at your grandparents' house"  she replies, her tone hard to read. Her mood has definitely shifted for the extreme optimism to over it.

I glance out the window, taking in the scenery. It's all small shops, diners, and a music store I'd definitely hit up later. Not a single chain restaurant in sight. Texas please remember me.

At a stop sign I looked at this group of friends my age. Small-town teenagers could either be nice or pieces of shits. Let me not get ahead of myself, not everyone is the same. I'm growing!

"So, what did you do for fun when you lived here, Mom?" Erika asks sarcastically, knowing full well she won't get a real answer. 

"The beach was always fun. I used to go there with my friends," Mom says, a nostalgic look flickering across her face.

Oh I love the beach... but I cant swim. But that doesn't take away the fun out of it, right?

After one last turn down a quiet street, the car slows to a stop in front of a little green house with white trim. Mom stares at it for a moment, her hands slack on the steering wheel, before forcing a smile at us. The kind of smile that says, "If you speak-" I can't even think of what hypothetical she would say, I'm that lost.

Erika and I follow her up the porch steps. Mom hesitates for what feels like an eternity, then knocks on the door. 

Seconds drag by. I glance at Erika, who looks just as uncomfortable as I feel. Nothing like a good old family reunion.

The door creaks open. 

"What is this?" my grandma asks confused, her expression shifting from shock to something unreadable.

Before things can get "too" awkward, Grandpa appears from the corner in complete shock. "Sarah? Sweetie, is that you?" 

Without waiting for a reply, he rushes forward and pulls Mom into a hug. Mom stiffens for a second before giving in. She blinks rapidly, clearly holding back tears. 

I glance at Erika, whose eyes are already watering. Figured.

Grandma, meanwhile, is just... watching. Her expression is hard to read. When she catches me staring, it softens slightly, and she pulls me into a hug. 

It's weird. I don't remember ever hugging her before, but it feels warm and comforting despite her initial reaction . 

"Don't forget me!" Erika yells, practically dives in into us. Grandma laughs softly, a sound I wasn't expecting. 

Inside, Grandpa and Mom chat about the surface level stuff traffic, our road trip—carefully avoiding the elephant in the room: "Why are we here?"

Grandma stays silent, clutching my hand with one hand and Erika's with the other. Her grip is firm, like she's afraid if she lets go, everything will unravel.