paradise my parents built before I was born, nothing seemed out of place. I disengaged the keys and sat back in the silence of my tinted car and stared. Maybe I'd worked myself up for nothing. I did have a lot on my mind as it was. But the driveway was empty, void of both my parents’ cars.
It wasn't long until I was in my childhood home and unpacked and back downstairs looking for my mom and dad. I sent Avery a quick text to let her know I was here and to stop by, but she didn’t respond. I sent texts to both my parents, and they didn't respond either. With nothing to do but wait, I decided to lay down and rest my eyes.
"My, my, my, don't you look incredible." Mom's honeyed voice rang from behind me. I turned around and my eyes met her proud ones that gleamed in delight. It left me a little sickened. I'd always been thin, and right now I knew I was extremely skinny. Waiflike. She was too happy over my appearance, and it made me question how she had felt about me a year or so ago when I was only twelve pounds heavier. I almost wondered if she wanted me to look, or be, anorexic.
Brushing it off, I gave her a hug. "Hi, Mom."
"I'm so glad you could come home for a little while. Easter wouldn't be the same without you."
"Glad to be home."
Mom hugged me a little tighter before letting go. She glanced down and frowned. "You look a little tired."
"I just woke from a nap."
"Ah, okay. Just be sure you're using under eye cream. It's never too early to start. A little concealer for the dark circles too. Yes?"
I nodded, a faint smile on my lips. "Of course."
She patted my shoulder, pleased with my response. Like I was going to worry about under eye cream at my age. I had enough things to carry on my shoulders as it was.
"Your father and I have something we'd like to speak to you about. Do you have a minute?"
I nodded and followed behind. Stepping into my dad's office, I was met with the most gorgeous sunset that bloomed through the large window that overlooked the rich, green lawn. Warm rays of blood orange and rosy hues filled the room. I inhaled as if I could breathe in the colors. I wished I was outside. I missed the beach. It smelled like old leather and comfort in here, just as I remembered. As a kid, I used to just sit on the floor and play with my Barbies for hours while he worked. Mom used to try and shoo me out. Even though I never uttered a word and didn't dare bother him, she'd said I was a hassle and that he needed silence to concentrate, but he'd always told her to leave me be. One day when I walked in, I found my Barbie dollhouse in his office. Dad had moved it in there along with a trunk of dolls and their dress up clothes. That was the last time she tried to pry me away.
Dad glanced up and a huge smile spread across his face the moment he spotted me. I ran and gave him a hug.
"Dad!"
"My little princess," he said, pulling back. "I'm so happy to see your beautiful face!"
I'd been a daddy's girl from the moment I was born. And he loved it.
Before I could speak a word, Mom cut in. "Frank, do you have a moment to go over what we spoke about?"
Dad glanced back at me, this time gravity weighed on his features. He nodded and gestured toward his cherry colored leather chairs. I took a seat and Mom took one next to me. She was poised with a Stepford Wife face that could cut glass. A nagging, worrying feeling settled in my belly. Silence cloaked us. I shot a look at Dad, who had reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a folded newspaper. He opened it, gave it a firm shake so it would flatten, then stood tall. His face contorted, and my stomach sank.
Lowering the newspaper, he flattened his lips and glanced away, sliding the paper toward me with a heavy exhale to follow.
Before I peered down at the paper, I glanced at my mom, thinking it might have been for her, but it wasn't. She gestured elegantly with her hand out and palm up for me to take it. Hesitantly,