07

« Not enough. We will change that though. » She gave me a hard look. « And look at this beard you are growing. » She touched the slight stubble that was on my face. I looked over at my father, Jack, for some help but he just shrugged. « Lets get you home. »

I walked beside my parents as they walked hand in hand towards the car. Even after all this time they were still happy. It was a nice sight to see. Upon reaching the car I shook my head.

»Really ? You still have this thing ? I gave you guys a car so you could get rid of this. » I looked at the old beat up four door truck my father has had for years.

With my first paycheck I bought them a car. I tried to buy them a new house but they refused saying they didn’t want to leave the same house I grew up in. Too many memories they said. So instead I bought them a car, yet they still drive this piece of crap.

« She still runs just fine. » My dad patted the hood as he rounded the drivers seat. I sighed moving to the back door.

« You know if you need a new car I can give you some money. » I said, once I put my bags in the back and hopped in.

« We are fine honey. This truck has been in the family for years and it will stay that way. » I knew better than to argue so I kept quiet.

As we drove towards town my mom started going on about the things I have missed. She went on about the neighbors and what new stores they have gotten. From the sound of it my little hometown had grown quite a bit.

It was a two hour drive back home and the entire ride my mom filled me in on everything. I tried my hardest to pay attention but after a while I ended up tuning her out. My mind was still on baseball and now being home for a bit.

« So, where’s that girlfriend of yours ? » My dad’s voice had me looking over at him.

« We broke up a while ago. » I shrugged.

It was right before my surgery she broke up with me. Something about not being in love me anymore and all I cared about was baseball not her. I knew she was worried about me being hurt because she wouldn’t be in the spotlight anymore or use my money. All she cared about was fame and money. I missed the look they shared as I looked out the window.

« The fall festival starts tonight. »

I smiled as old memories of going to the festival entered my mind. I completely forgot about the festival the town always had. It use to be the best time of the year.

« Want to come along ? » For some reason I found my lips tilting up in a smile.

« Why not. »

Brock’s Pov….

Walking through the doorway of my old bedroom brought back tons of memories. My room had the same bed, some of the same little knick knacks, and a some of my baseball trophies. It was clear my mom had gone through here sometimes but she mostly left it alone.

The house was basically the same as when I left, besides a few new pieces of furniture and the kitchen looked to be redone. Memories I had pushed aside were rushing back as I unpacked my bags. We were going to leave in an hour to go to the festival. Apparently my parents were helping out this weekend and wanted to get there as soon as it started.

As I jumped in the shower I couldn’t help but wonder how it was going to be being here. From what I heard from my mom, people here loved me and watched me play baseball every time we played. I wasn’t really in the mood to talk to people and have them question when I would be back. Coming here is meant to be relaxing. I just hoped it would be.

In no time I was dressed and getting in the car with my parents. It felt weird to ride in the back and not be driving. For the past few years it has only been me, it was throwing me off. Per my mothers request I was dressed in jeans and a long sleeve shirt. I had forgotten it gets cold here at night, so I would probably be glad I had long sleeves on.

The entire car ride to the festival one thought kept popping into my head. Was she going to be there ? She probably wouldn’t be. It’s been 6 years, she’s probably moved on already and gotten out of this town. But I couldn’t stop the little part of me that wished I would see her again just once.

* * * * * * * * * *

I walked beside my parents as my mom talked animately. I barely heard what she was talking about, my eyes taking in everything. The fall festival was just as it had been all those years ago. There were more white tents then before, it looked like a few more rides were put up in the far back, from here I could hear a band playing, and tons of people walked around.

It was a bit after 6 but the place was packed. Teens walked around in groups, little kids yelled and dancing around their parents feet. Everything about this festival screamed home. The further we walked in the better I felt. It felt nice being back already. I missed the friendly, home-y atmosphere this place had.

Walking around to different booths I got stopped a few times with people talking about my baseball, but so far it wasn’t bad. Next to me my mother beamed and went on about how she was so proud of me. All I could was smile and inwardly groan.

My parents were stopped talking to someone, leaving me to look around on my own. I walked a bit away from them only to stop when something caught my eye. I did a double take to make sure what I saw was real.