My Hometown Love

Chapter 5 - Home Sweet Home

“Alexandra Jane Cooper!”

I heard a familiar voice shout my full name as I exited the airport. I turn to see a 6-feet tall male in a red plaid shirt and blue jeans leaning against his truck. 

“Jakey!”, I screamed as I desperately tried to run with all my luggage and jump into his arms. 

“Oh, Lex! It’s so good to see you!”, my brother replied as he gave me his famous squeeze hugs. 

“Ow! Ow! Ow!”, I exclaimed as he squeezed even harder

“Oh please, you deserve it. For not visiting for so long.”, Jake replied as he pulled away and loaded my stuff into his truck. 

“Hey! Not fair. I was busy. At least, I’m here now.”, I replied as I punched his arm. 

“I know Lex and I am so happy. I missed my baby sister so much”, Jake said as he pouted his lips and pulled me into another hug. 

“Me too”, I replied trying my best to stifle a cry as I let myself melt into my older brother’s protective arms.

“Come on, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for you at home.”, Jake said slowly pulling away as he opened the truck door for me before getting in himself. 

**********

The golden glow of the sunset shined on the familiar buildings as I looked out the window. It’s funny how something as simple and lifeless as buildings can spark a whole lot of nostalgic emotions in you. 

“Wow, it’s like nothing’s changed.”, I said as I gently touched the cold glass window as the familiar neighborhood passed by. 

“True, but there is a whole lot of new stuff too. You should check it out”, Jake replied without taking his eyes off the road. 

I continued to stare out the window but my breath hitched at the sight of my high school. I felt a pinch at my heart as I thought of the last time I was here and the painful embarrassing incident that left an emotional scar on me. I quickly turned away so as to not let the memory of that night ruin my happiness of meeting my family. 

**********

Before I knew it, there we were, driving into the familiar driveway that I had countless scraped knees on. We got off and headed up to the front door. I stood there hesitant to go in, with worries that my parents might be upset and angry that I haven’t been home in so long or that I kept my unemployment from them for so long. 

“Oh, come on Lex! You scared?”, Jake smirked at me as he opened the door and dragged me in. 

The smell of my favorite oatmeal raisin cookies hit me hard as soon as I stepped into my house. 

“Mom! Dad! Your second favorite child is here!”, Jake yelled as he started laughing. 

“Hey!”, I shouted back at him as I whacked this shoulder. 

“My baby!”, I heard my Mom say as she rushed to hug me and slobber me with kisses. 

“Oh, Mom. I missed you so much!”, I said softly as I wiped my tears and hugged back. 

“There’s my little girl”, I heard my Dad say as he came out of the kitchen wearing his favorite leather apron I got for him for Christmas last year. He put down the tray of cookies he was holding and rushed to hug me as he carried me and spin me around the living room. 

“Daddy! I missed you! Also, do I smell your famous Oatmeal Raisin Cookies?”, I said as I slowly got back on my feet and peered at the baking tray behind him. 

“Of course! They are your favorite after all!”, my Dad replied as he kissed my forehead. 

“Welcome back Lexie.”, I heard behind me. 

I turned to see a young brunette with her fingers intertwined with Jake. 

“Maria! It’s so good to see you again!”, I said as I gave my future sister-in-law a big hug. 

I lifted up her left hand to see a beautiful rose gold ring on her finger. 

“Not bad Jake! You did pretty well.”, I said as I smirked at my brother. 

Jake walked over and put his hand on my head, disheveling my hair as he laughed before he sat on the couch. He tapped the seat next to him, signaling me to take a seat next to him. 

As I sat on the couch, I looked over to the pictures over the fireplace, Dad’s guitar in the corner of the living room, Mom’s knitting basket on the coffee table, and Jake next to me. 

Yup. I was home.

**********

I spent the last few minutes before dinner talking to Maria about the wedding. She seemed so excited and happy. I’m so glad my brother has found someone who makes him happy and can tolerate him. 

“Lexie, I wanted to ask you something actually.”, Maria suddenly asked. 

“Sure, go ahead.”, I said giving her my full attention. 

“I was wondering if you would be my maid of honor?”, Maria asked, stunning me with her question.

“Oh Maria, I would love to but I have to ask, why me? Don’t you have other family or friends that you would rather ask? I replied.

“Well, I have known you since high school and you have always been nice to me ever since I shifted here with my aunt and cousin brother from Mexico. My cousin brother, Sam is one of Jake’s groomsmen. I don’t have any other family left and I don’t have such close friends except Mindy who is my bridesmaid. I always hear how Jake talks about you and I feel like you’re my sister too. So, will you do me the honor?”, she explained calmly.

“Aww, Maria. Of course, I would love to.”, I replied as I pulled her in for a warm hug.

*********

We sat around the dinner table ready to dig into Mom’s famous celebration spread. In front of me laid authentic home-cooked food. Something that I have been lacking for the past 2 years. 

“Here you go baby”, my Mom said as she scooped a big spoonful of mashed potatoes on my plate. 

“Try this sweetie”, my Dad said as he appeared next to me ready to place a big portion of chicken wings on my plate. 

“Lex! Catch!”, my brother yelled as he slid a basket full of garlic bread in front of me. 

“Miss this?”, Maria asked as she watched me process all this exclusive attention.

“A lot!”, I said as I began to dig into the amazing familiar dishes. 

Perhaps I should mention, my parents own and run a bakery here in town. They lovingly named it JL Bakery, after their two children. My brother, on the other hand, used to work in a quaint cafe for quite some time. When the owner died, he willed the cafe to my brother, since the owner had no family left. So after a few re-modifications, Jake is the owner of the Lava Java, a major hangout spot of the town’s youngsters. 

“Earth to Lexie! You okay?”, Jake asked as he passed me the butter. 

“Yeah. I’m great.”, I said smiling to myself. 

*******

I laid on my old bed as I stared at my glow-in-the-dark galaxy poster on the ceiling.

“You all settled in, pumpkin?”, my Mom said as she leaned on the door frame. 

“Yeah, Mom. Can’t believe I’m in my old room again. It feels like just yesterday I was a high school senior rushing to get out of bed, get ready and catch the bus.”, I said as I looked out the window like I used to when I was younger. 

“My baby’s all grown up now.”, she replied as she sat next to me on my bed. 

I put my head on her shoulder and linked my arm around her arm. 

“Don’t worry about New York, you can stay here as long as you want. This is just a small bump in the road. I know you will overcome it, as you always do.”, she said as she stroked my hair lovingly. 

“Thanks, Mom”, I said as she got up and left me alone with my thoughts. 

“Hey, Lex. Tomorrow morning we’re having a discussion about the wedding at 9.00 am at the cafe. Don’t be late!”, Jake said as he peeked his head into my room.

“Sure Jakey, I’ll be there. Now, let me sleep!”, I said as I pretended to chase him out of my room as I used to when we were both younger. 

“Good night Lex!”, he replied as he walked down the stairs. 

“Good night Jakey.”, I said to myself. 

********

I got up early and got ready as soon as I can. I didn’t want to be late for my first wedding meeting. I was wearing my lucky yellow floral dress and black sandals. I was singing to myself as I gathered my things, somehow feeling confident that today was going to be a great day and a brand new beginning.

I arrived at the Lava Java and peeped inside to see a small group of people gathered. I could see Jake, Maria, Sam, a blonde girl who I assumed was Mindy and another guy but his back was facing the door so I couldn’t see who it was. Must be Jake’s best man, I thought to myself. 

“Lexie! You’re here!”, Jake exclaimed as I pushed the door open.

Everyone turned to see me and I shockingly stood still when I saw the best man turn around to greet me. 

It was Kevin Walker.