And I was too.
I was at lunch when I got Knight’s text that day and dropped everything the minute I saw it. It said three words.
Knight: She’s coming home.
I’d known this was a possibility today since he’d gone to see her, and after telling him how excited I was for him, he’d said he’d send a car to pick me up after my last class. He wanted me there, there with him when his mom returned home. Needless to say, I was more than excited and honored that he trusted me enough to be there for him. Things with his mom had been tumultuous to say the least, slow, but I’d been there. I’d been there too when she’d first opened her eyes, by his side and taking in the world. His mom hadn’t recognized him, of course, and from what I understood, he hadn’t told her. Everything was so new for her, still very slow. Knight and her doctors were taking things day by day, but still, she must have been doing well enough in her therapy for them to green-light her return home. This was a really happy day, and I was so excited for him.
Knight sent a town car to come get me after my final class of the day, and after going back to my dorm to get an overnight bag, I climbed in for my ride. My roommates wished me luck before. They all knew the situation and I was happy for their support. Especially Haley who not only stepped back from the situation with Knight but had shared the most support. I had such good friends and roommates and knew how lucky I was.
In the town car, I gazed out onto the road. I was going back to Maywood Heights today, Knight’s hometown and where his grandpa’s estate was. The estate had been in their family for generations, a place I once lived too for a short time. I was kind of nervous to be going back there, but the circumstances were way different than those final days when his grandpa had fired my mom. I knew all the facts now, the background, and was not only overwhelmed by it but by who Knight was. He’d been protecting me since we were kids, and I couldn’t help smiling when I thought about my boyfriend.
Oh, yeah. That was new as well, so many things changing. Through all this, Knight and I came back to each other, so different from how we’d both begun. Even when we’d been kids. He was so much gentler now, his experience with his mom only helping.
I texted him during the duration of the ride to Maywood Heights, asking him for updates. He couldn’t give me much, just that she was home and laying down but simply hearing from him made my heart soar.
Knight: I’m so glad you’re coming. You don’t even know.
So different than how he was, but then again. I think I was different too. I was stronger, changed in the best way. I texted Knight how close I was, and as we pulled past that welcome sign greeting me into the town of Maywood Heights, I got a buzz in my pocket from Mom.
Mom: Wish Knight and his mom luck for us. Ben and I are thinking about you both. Love you!
Mom and Ben, of course, knew everything too, and once more, Mom was that supportive rock I loved. Knight corrected everything with them, speaking to the school personally about their jobs. I didn’t know exactly what all the talks entailed, but Mom and Ben had their jobs back within hours of him reaching out. Knight even apologized to them personally, profusely. Once more, my mom hadn’t shown any feelings of anger or resentment. She was just so kind spirited, always had been. As an extra special apology, Knight sent both Mom and Ben off on a second honeymoon, a cruise to the Caribbean which was where they were currently now. I kept getting pictures and had been too jealous since I was still at school and forced to live vicariously through them and their Facebook photos.
Me: Thank you. I’ll pass that along. Not sure what state his mom is in today, but I’m hopeful.
Mom: We are too. That boy deserves that. He needs his mama.
I’d especially agree if she was anything at all remotely like mine. She’d been there for me my whole life, my rock.
I told them to enjoy the rest of their time on their vacation and after giving me their love, I noticed the car slowing down.
“We’re coming up on Reed Manor, miss,” the driver said, stealing my attention.
Reed Manor, a distant memory in my thoughts, and I leaned forward, peering through the tinted window. Steel gates opened to the wide property of a well-trimmed lawn, rose bushes lining the path toward an exquisite fountain. Just behind was the grand estate Reed Manor and still as beautiful as I remembered as a child. A gray brick castle, Knight’s property sat tucked behind a sea of well-trimmed hedges and flower boxes filled with elegant daisies. The place was literally like a castle out of a storybook, and I spent lots of time hiding in as many places I could find. It’d been fun for me, like a little adventure
