Chapter 1: Home Once Again

Hello. My name is Jacob Stalin. I am a marine for the United States military and I recently had turned 39 years old. I may not have been the best at what I did, but hell, I gave it my damn best. I was also one hell of a marksman. I also got married when I was 17 years old.

After 20 faithful years of service, I finally decided to pack up and head home for some time. Over the time I've been gone, so many things have happened. My childhood dog named Holo had apparently died about two years ago. Dammit! I missed her so much...

"How is it? It's been so long since you've been back home." said my mother. I turned around to see my mother who was now gaining grey hairs and wrinkly features. "Hello, dear mother. How are you doing today?" I replied.

She then started walking around my house, just looking at everything. This house has been locked the entire time I've been gone so it's dusty as hell.

"This place used to be so pretty. It wasn't all dirty like this." said my mother. "Yes. I know. I've been gone for 20 years so it's bound to be dusty and disgusting." I replied.

I started to open all of the windows around the house for the dust on everything since I'll be cleaning it all. By my estimation, it might take me around 3 hours for a semi thorough cleaning.

"Well, the cleaning will take a while. So do you want me to help you? Or do you want me to get out of your hair for today?" said my mother who was now sitting in her recliner at my house.

I then stopped in my tracks and said, "I would like to begin cleaning but I don't want you to help. I can do this for my own house at least?"

My mother then laughed a little and said, "Look at you. You've finally become independent from us. It's saddening to see it, honestly. Well, I'll leave you for today. I'll be back within the next week."

I then said back, "If that's what you want to do, mother. I won't force you to stay. But please tell father that I said hello."

She nodded in response. "He'll probably want to come over here and catch up like you and him used to." I replied with, "Haha. True. He'd probably want to. Tell him also that he is going to kick cancer's ass!" She nodded.

She then waved to me as she walked out of the door. Well, I wouldn't want to drag the cleanup for multiple days, so let's begin. It is now 12:47pm.

-[5 Hours Later]-

I'm tired as hell. I got the entire house cleaned thoroughly. Now all I have left to do is move my newly bought items into the desired areas.

For example; I did a little online shopping. I found a manga that I was reading back in Highschool and it apparently ended production about 12 years ago.

I bought all of the volumes. They're more expensive than I remember, haha! It was $11.99 per volume. Times that by 20 volumes and you get $238.90 for the entire series.

I'm excited to relive that series again! It had so many ups and downs, but through the first 4 volumes that I got to read before I left, it was already top notch material.

It left off on a cliffhanger and I am so eager to see what happened! I'm like a little kid in a candy store with how excited I am. It said that the package should arrive within the next three or four days.

When it gets here, I think I might binge the entire series if I'm not careful. I used to do that kind of stuff all the time back in Highschool. I'd watch anime all night long and then sleep in class.

God...I was an idiot for doing that shit. I managed to keep a 3.8 GPA though. I don't remember the name of it, but my favourite anime was one released in 2019.

It's community was small and now it has finally died out. We never did get a season 2. Jesus. It's really been 23 years since then. I'll rewatch it when I have the time.

I'm like a child with that kind of stuff. I never did stop liking manga and anime. During my free time I would always envision my own anime with whatever I wanted in it.

I made my favourite anime characters fight each other and it would always be cool as fuck in my 15 year old mind. "Hm. What time is it?" I said aloud. I looked at my watch to see that it is now 5:47pm. "Ah. I better start cooking up some food."

Before cooking supper, I wanted to go check on my wife. I headed over to her mural in my living room. I said, "I'm finally home, Elijah. I'm sorry for leaving you all this time." I sat there for a minute praying.

I got up and now I had another problem; what the fuck do I cook? "I haven't cooked in ages. Let's hope I don't burn down the kitchen haha..." I said aloud. Something easy...eh, fuck it. French toast it is.

-[After]-

I only burned two of the four pieces of french toast. Not bad! It's getting late now, nearly 8 pm.

I should probably get some sleep after I clean myself up. That sounds nice right about now...alright. Time for a nice time in the shower.

-[After that]-

Ahhh. That felt great. *ding*. "Who's texting me this late at night?" I said curiously. I read my phone to see:

[Michelle has sent 2 text messages]

[Hey, dad. Welcome back home. You've missed so much!]

[How about we meet up tomorrow at the nearby supermarket and catch up on the lost time?]

"Huh. I never thought that she'd reach out to me. Sounds good to catch up though!" I said excitedly.

[That sounds great! How about at 2 pm we meet there? Does that work for you?]

*ding*

[That works great, dad. See you there tomorrow then! :)]

Tomorrow's a big day so I'm gonna get some sleep. Goodnight~.