JUDE
"How do you feel?"
I don't know. I don't know how I feel about … this.
I look at Miko, who is smiling encouragingly at me, holding out his hand towards me as if he is the one guiding us.
Technically, I am supposed to. I am supposed to be excited and show him all the places and tell him all the stories and things, but … I have conflicting emotions about finally coming home.
I exhale, take his hand, and get out of the car, the door shutting behind me. It's scorching hot.
"Welcome home, I guess," I try to smile, but it fails epically.
"Are you okay?"
I shrug. "I didn't think I would be back here, to be honest. Not after everything. It doesn't feel the same anymore."
"We don't have to do this. I know I said I wanted you to show me your home, all the places you spent your time and grew up in, but if it's hard, we can always go back. We don't have to do anything you are uncomfortable with."
