I pulled the mail out of the mailbox at the end of my parent's driveway. I was home for a few weeks before I had finals to end my last semester before I graduate, and start my residency. Scanning each piece in the pile, I found nothing but junk mail and bills. Placing the items on the kitchen counter I made my way up to my room, looking exactly the same as I had left it five years ago. My king size bed sat in the middle of the outside wall between two large windows with purple curtains to match the duvet. A white dresser, that matched the nightstand, was located on the wall adjacent the door. Clothes still lay in the bubble chair from packing to leave my freshmen year in college.

I smiled weakly before sitting on the edge of the bed. It was good to be home. Picking up one of the picture frames from the night stand, I felt my heart drop. His arms we draped around my shoulders with his head resting on my shoulder. Smiles adorned both of our faces, as we stood in the backyard of his home. I wiped away a stray tear that was falling down my cheek, placing the picture back on the stand. Pulling my hair out of the loose ponytail I walked into the bathroom to take a shower.

I was working on a paper on my computer when I heard someone walking up the stairs. I had showered and changed into a pair of gym shorts and my favorite Harvard sweatshirt with my natural waves tied into a loose bun. My mom opened the door and smiled when she saw me sitting with my back against the headboard working nonstop. "You need to take a break, isn't that why you're here?" I looked up from my laptop and rolled my eyes.

"You never stop Reanne."

"I won't get anywhere if I take breaks mom."

"I wish you would rub off on your sister." We laughed lightly as she stood up from my bed. My sister, well in reality my cousin, Marybeth had just graduated high school and was attending community college to earn a degree in English; while taking care of her one year old son. She was too busy partying during high school and not worrying about her future.

"I wasn't always most perfect child on the planet."

"No, but you made sure that your work was done before you went out and played." I smiled as she kissed the top of my head. "Dinner will be done in about thirty minutes, I made your favorite." I smiled to myself before turning my attention back to my paper.

"Mom, you can't make me do this. I haven't seen or spoken to any of them in five years; with the exception of Matt," I shouted from the across the breakfast bar of our kitchen. She had just informed me that we would be eating at their home for dinner tonight and that I had to go; no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

"Listen Ray, sweetheart, they really want to see you. Please just do it for me and Carol, she misses you a lot." I sighed, she was playing the 'Do it for us, and if not me Carol' card.

"Fine..."

She smiled approvingly before I pushed away from the counter and made my way up the stairs to my bedroom. I had to find something to wear tonight. Digging through my closet I found my favorite pair of ripped white jean shorts; throwing them on my bed I decided on a teal blue boyfriend t-shirt and a pair of white flip-flops.
Tonight was going to be interesting. I just hoped that he wouldn't be there.

I left my chocolate brown waves to fall down my shoulders, the blonde highlights almost invisible in the darkness. I stood behind my family on the front porch of their home. My eyes came in contact with Carol as she opened the door. She smiled warming at us, embracing my family before stopping to look at me. I could see that she hardly recognized me, but she knew exactly who I was. "Oh my goodness, look at you Reanne. You're all grown up!" She wrapped her arms around me before pulling away to get a closer look at me. "I can't believe it's been five years. It seems like just yesterday you and John were getting your diplomas."

"Time flies," was the only thing I could manage to say. I was nervous thinking that he might be there. She led us inside before pulling me into the living room where Sr., Matt, and Dan were watching football. All eyes were on me when we entered the room. I could tell that they were trying to figure out who I was, but after a few moments they were all welcoming me with warm embraces.

"You are so grown up!" Sr. said before pulling me into another hug. "I can't believe it. I hear you have just one more semester and you'll be opening your own practice."

"Not quite, I have residency to finish before I can open my own practice," I said with a small laugh.

"Do I get a free operation? I mean I do need to get rid of some of this fat here," Dan said pointing to his stomach.

"What are you talking about Dan? You aren't fat!"

"Says you," he smiled before wrapping his arms around me.

I was glad that I had come with my family. It was good getting reacquainted with them; it was almost as if I had never left. I sat at next to Matt at the end of the table, Sr. and I were currently in a discussion about Harvard and how college life had been treating me. "I have only been to a few parties, but I don't really have time to go out. I want to get out of school as soon as possible and starting making the money. Then I can go out and have a good time," I said as he asked me about my social life. "I mean I hang out with my some friends, but we all are working towards our goals."

"We're so proud of you Ray; you've done so well for yourself."

"Thank you. Will you be able to make it to my graduation?"

"Of course," Carol exclaimed. "We wouldn't miss it for anything."

Before anyone could say anything else, the front door opened interrupting the conversation. I didn't turn around; I didn't want to see who was walking in. Closing my eyes, I prayed that it wasn't who I thought it was. "Well look who decided to show up," I heard Matt say before leaving my side. Everyone stood from the table except me; they all entered the living room of the home to welcome the person. Slowly I pushed myself away from the table and entered the kitchen; I poured more of the wine into my glass before taking a rather large drink.
"Where is Reanne?" I heard my dad ask.

"I'll go find her," Marybeth said before I heard her enter the kitchen. I was leaning against the island swirling the red liquid around the glass. "John's here," she said hoping that it would make me want to follow her. After she earned no response she took the glass from my hands, only to receive a glare from me. "Look, we all know what he did was wrong; hell he's knows it was wrong, but please come in there. He wants to see you." I couldn't help but laugh at the part.

Beth, if he wanted to see me then he would have seen me before five years went by. He doesn't care. Hell he didn't even say anything to me before he left and I was supposedly his best friend!" She was the only other person that knew my secret; hell she had it figured out. "I'm going to go home, I'm not feeling well."

"Ray.."

"Tell them that I'm sorry, but I started to feel ill." I pushed past her to exit the kitchen. As I walked out of the house I felt tears burn my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I used thumbs to wipe away any trace of them. I walked down the dimly lit street towards our house, thanking God that we lived within walking distance.
I knew that Marybeth would cover for me, but also knew no matter how much she tried to convince them no one would buy it.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please review, I really want to know what you think! (: