A/N: I only own the OC.
The past never really goes away... some times you just have to go home.
I watched as the mountains past by on each side. I has seen these mountains every day, and as much as I thought I would miss them... I never have. I thought that I would want to come back here one day, but it hasn't happened yet. I never imagined that I would ever actually have to come back here. I always thought it would be a choice. I turned down a familiar road as the low clouds rolled off the mountains and hills nearby, and felt my stomach knot up. I didn't need a map, and could drive this with my eyes closed as I turned at the burnt tree... we didn't have real landmarks... we had things we used to play on, things that hadn't had meaning in years, and things that were passed down.
I drove over the old metal bride, turned at the rusted yellow mailbox, and pulled up to see the house looking better than it had. I had sent my parents money and thankfully they used it for good reasons. I took a deep breath as I put it in park and sat there for a second. I had to get my mind right before I walked into that house. I had an idea what was waiting for me, but there were always surprises. I hadn't been home in awhile, and now that Momma had died... I wasn't here because I wanted to be here. I never wanted to be here, and now that I was it wasn't on good terms.
I finally walked up and knocked on the door. I didn't have to wait long until my older sister opened the door. I got ready to say something when she slapped me across the face. I sighed and walked in behind her as she turned on her heel. She walked inside, and I followed behind her. She had every right to be mad at me. I should have come home, but I just fucking hated it here.
"He's here." she said as I saw my Dad appear in the doorway. He pulled me in for a hug and I knew that he was hurting.
"Good to see you, and they are too even if they don't show it yet." he said as I glanced at my sisters. They were both glaring at me.
"Thanks, Dad." I said and he lead me into the kitchen. He sat down at the table where there were two glasses and a bottle of Wild Turkey. He poured us each a glass, we toasted mom, and I downed the amber shot. The liquid burned as it went down, and I sat the glass down. I got ready to say something when the doorbell rang.
"More people coming to say their condolences... Come say hi." he said and I took another quick shot before walking out there. I was not surprised to see most of their church coming in to say sorry, but I was actually glad to see an old friend from high school.
"Elias! I didn't think you would be here so quick. I'm sorry about your Momma. It's good to see you." he said and hugged me.
"Yeah, well, you might be the only one glad to see me right now." I said and he clapped his hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, let's get out of here." he said and I nodded. I could still feel the daggers in my back from my sisters and I knew that no one was actually here to see me.
"Yeah, let me tell Dad." I said and pulled him away for a second.
"Chris has asked me..." I was saying and he cut me off.
"Go on, I know you don't know these people... You don't need to be here right now. I will make sure that you have a bed here tonight." he said and I hugged him.
"Thanks, Dad." I said and met Chris on the front porch.
I was glad to see Chris. We had played baseball together, and graduated high school together. I was just glad to see a friendly face with everything going on. We ended up at the old pool hall that we used to sneak into in high school.
"So, other than being a world class wrestler, and avoiding hometown... what else is going on?" he asked me and I chuckled.
"Nothing, can't keep a girlfriend, and my family just loves me right now." I said and he nodded.
"No one after Jess?" he asked me and I shook my head no.
"No, I focused on my career and I guess that is my downfall." I admitted as I nursed a beer.
"It's not a downfall, but you can't forget where you came from. he said and I sighed.
"I can't now." I said with a chuckle as some more guys from high school came in... they had just gotten off the shift at the mine. I knew that would have been me if I hadn't of pushed myself. I never wanted to be that... I had seen too many family members have bad times because of it. Chris invited the guys over and before long we were all sitting around and swapping stories.
"Elias, is that really you?" a voice said and I looked up to see Doyle, he was an asshole from high school. We had always been at odds. I had beaten him to playing short stop in high school, and I'm fairly certain he's never forgiven me.
"Yes, Doyle, unfortunately it is." I said and he chuckled.
"I am sorry to hear about your momma." he said and I nodded. I wasn't going to be rude unless I had to be. He joined us and we were all talking like old friends.
"Damn, she still looks so good." Chris said and I looked up to see Ava walk into the bar. She was a few years younger than us, and judging by her outfit she had either gotten a good job, or married someone around here with money. I was surprised to see here here though, and she hadn't changed much. She still had long brown hair, a smile on her face, and she was skinnier than when we were in high school. She was always popular, but not because she was skinny... she was just everyone's friend. I knew that her family owned the bar, and they always had... she always talked about getting out of here. I figured she would be the one that actually did it...not me.
A/N: Please review!