Thirty-Five

Me and Summer had been more open with each other. She was nervous about how to deal with her parents and I told her I'd see her through that so she would be alone. The police notified them after that incident that she was alive but they had no means of contacting her. I can only imagine what they're thinking, their only daughter alive all these years.

The grief of going back has been giving her more vivid dreams too. She wakes up crying out for her life in the middle of the night and it's hard to ground her into existing life. She explained that she didn't want to be captured by Brad again and was worried that he would if she went back for a second time. I assured her over and over that I wouldn't let that happen, but she still gives me a bewildering look about it.

I look down at her sleeping body in bed and smile. She looked so peaceful it made me glad and relieved she wasn't crying over another nightmare. I didn't wasn't to wake her but I'd have to sooner than later. We had one last show planned this afternoon and then me and Summer were going back for a bit to see our family.

The thought that keeps stunning around my kind is what my parents will say to her. She knows everything that I've been dealing with but I don't what them to give her the dirty details. I wanted to make sure she was okay first. I loved her with everything and she will always be my priority over anything else. If she's not happy, neither am I.

"Bryson?" Summer breaks me from my thoughts. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just thinking." I lean down to kiss her. "How did you sleep?" She groans at my question and I smirk down at her. I ask it every time she wakes up and she finds it unbearable but I truly want her to tell me because I cared.

"Stop asking." She pouts in the covers. "I slept fine."

"I'm sorry for being persistent." She looks up. moving the duvet away from her face. "I love you."

"I love you too."

---

Summer's parents weren't at home when we arrive. Maybe we should have called in advance? Summer looks at the house bewildered and I move my hand to her thigh and give a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine." I promise her.

"Where could they be?" She looks around confused that their car wasn't around. Her parents were both out of work, her dad was retired living off of his pension and her mom was a stay-at-home type of wife.

"Possibly mine, they're always over since... You know."

"It makes me happy knowing our parents sought comfort in each other." She sighs.

With that, I pull the car out and drive to my house. I couldn't help but think if having both our parents together will be easier or harder... At least we wouldn't have to tell the same story twice.

I pull up by my house and put the car in park. Summer was fidgeting with the hem of her shirt nervously.

"It'll be fine." I pull her attention to me. "They will be happy that you are alive and well."

"I'm not all that well." She turns away to look at the house once more.

"Neither am I." I shrug laughing and I get a glimpse of a smile from her. I open my car door and shut it and head over to Summer as she steps out onto the grass. I take her hands in mine and lead her to the door. Should I just walk in or knock? I pause for a moment at the door and decide to just walk in. It was my home, after all, it'd be weird to knock.

"Bryson! What a lovely surprise!" My mother's eyes light up when she sees me, she rushes over to me but stops when she sees Summer hiding behind me. I gently pull her out from behind me and I hear something shatter to our left. Our attention is now tuned to Summer's mom who dropped her cup in shock.

My dad quickly picks up the cup and my mom brings her mom to us. Summer gnaws her lip as her mother stares at her inspecting everything about her.

"You're hair!" She screeches out of nowhere and grabs a lock "Why did you change it?"

"Mom." Summer says and her eyes soften.

"I didn't believe them when they called to say you were alive." She starts crying, Summer lets my hand go and comforts her mom. Her dad comes over and both her parents start cooing over her in awe. My mom drags me away to give them privacy and to problems grill me on this situation.

"Why didn't you say anything?" She questions me. "How long?"

"Mom, it's only been a week or so." I rub the back of my head. "It was a lot to process."

"Have you spoken to Dr. Beckman? don't lie to me." She scolds me and I close my eyes knowing she'd hate my answer.

"Haven't gotten around to it." She stares with disappointing eyes and I want to run away. There's nothing worse than making your mother angry.

"Thank you for bringing her back to us!" Suddenly I'm being hugged from behind and I turn to see Summer's mom in tears. I was happy about the distraction.

"It wasn't all me." I chuckle nervously.

"You helped though!" She shakes her head at me. Summer is standing sheepishly around the corner unsure what to do. it was obvious that she felt uncomfortable in this situation and dint know how to cope.

I walk over to her and she reaches out to hug me instantaneously. Our parents were talking animatedly by the kitchen and we slowly back off to get some privacy.

"They want me to move back here." She mumbles into my chest. I knew she wanted to come back but the thought of him stopped her. I would be for the idea but I would be off in another state, I didn't want to lose her again.

"Are you going to?" I ask scared for her answer.

"Not now." She pulls away to look up. "I want to spend whatever time I have with you."

"How did your parents take that answer?" I laugh hugging her close again.

"Let's not talk about that." She laughs lightly into my chest. I was happy that she was back in my life, I could see the light returned back into both our parents as well. I just wish everything would turn out okay. no more surprises.

♥︎