“Sutton, what time is it now?” Reagan moaned. I guess I was being loud, rummaging through my drawers, trying to decide what to wear. It was only 55 degrees out and I had one pair of ripped jeans, so the only choice I really had to make was what shirt to wear.
“9:30,” I replied.
“Okay, I guess I can get up now.” Reagan hopped out of bed and stood next to me.
“Okay let’s pick a shirt.” Reagan and I went through just about all my clothes when we came across a burgundy-colored flower shirt with the shoulders cut out.
“This is perfect Sutton.”
“You think?” I asked. Reagan smiled and nodded.
We wandered into the living room to find everyone had already started the day. My mom had already made enough eggs and pancakes to feed an army.
“Sutton, eat something, please!” my mom said concerned as I stared blankly at my plate.
“Mom I really can’t eat anything. I promise I will later.” My mom sighed.
“Sweetie, you need your strength. I’ll make you a smoothie then.” She stood up and went to the cupboard and took out the blender.
Reagan caught my eye. “Just drink the smoothie Sutton.” She whispered, taking a bite of her scrambled eggs.
I sucked down the smoothie even though I wasn’t hungry at all. I watched the clock. It was still only 10:45. I wanted to at least wait until noon to find Luke.
“I think I’ll write him a letter,” I told Reagan, as we sat on the couch watching HGTV to kill time.
“That might be a good idea,” she said nodding. “That way if you’re nervous and you forget what you want to say you can at least give that to him.” She replied.
I stood up and looked for a notebook. I ripped a piece of paper out and grabbed a pen. I just started writing and I couldn’t stop.
“Okay, this might be the most gorgeous house I’ve ever seen.” I heard Reagan say in the distance. I shook my head and was brought back to reality. On the TV they were showing a beautiful farmhouse with rustic furniture.
“That is gorgeous.'' I replied.”
The host on the TV continued to show the couple around.
“Imagine living there? Oh my gosh!” I continued to watch the house tour except this time I saw Luke and I. Luke held a baby carrier with a baby inside and I held an adorable little girl’s hand, as we explored our new home. Luke flashed his signature grin at me every time we entered a new room and squeezed my hand.
Before my dream could continue the screen went black. I looked up to see Reagan standing up with the remote in her hands. “Noon.” She shouted! “Are you ready?” I took a deep breath.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” I replied.
My mom drove us in her blue van. Shane sat in the front and Reagan and I both sat in the backseat. She held my hand and my other hand was clenching the note. I felt like I was having a panic attack but I continued to sip my water and tried to calm down. I knew if my mom had any idea how horrible I felt she would make me go home.
We pulled in front of Luke’s house and I took a big breath in and slowly let it out. My mom immediately went into pep talk mode, with Reagan backing her up.
“Okay honey, no matter what happens, I promise everything is going to be okay. You have come such a long way and you have a great life ahead of you. Please just remember honey he doesn’t have the same memories you do so don’t feel like he’s rejecting you right away. Give him a chance to take it all in.”
“Have you thought about what you’re going to say to him?” Shane asked.
“I wrote some stuff down in case it’s hard for me to figure out what to say,” I replied, clenching the note.
“Wow, that was a great idea,” Shane said.
My mom forced a smile. “I love you, Sutton.” She grabbed my hand and kissed it. “I’ll be right here watching from the car. If you need me, just give me a wave.”
“And me too!” Shane said.
“Me three!” Reagan added.
“Would you come with me?” I asked looking over at my best friend.
“You want me to come?” She asked.
“I just- I don’t know. In case I freeze up or if anything ever happened?”
“Of course I’ll come with you.” She replied, grasping my hand again.
We got out of the car and stood in front of Luke’s house. It was painted a light blue color instead of the old tan color I remembered. There was also a “for sale” sign sticking out of the lawn. Reagan continued to hold my hand and we walked up the front steps and stopped right in front of the brown front door.
“You got this Sutton,” Reagan said to me, giving my hand a little squeeze.
“Should I just ring the doorbell?” I asked her. She nodded. My finger hovered over the doorbell for what felt like forever. Just as I was about to ring it the front door opened.
My heart skipped a beat. Luke stood there in front of us. I almost didn’t recognize him. His head was shaved down to a buzzcut and he was wearing a blue uniform.
“Oh my God, Sutton?” He said
