Calleigh turned off of the country road and onto the long dirt road that lead back to her mother's house. Tall live oaks lined the sides of the road stretching up and connecting overhead to form an archway. The Louisiana sun peaked through the branches casting bright shapes that glittered on the hood of Calleigh's car and on the path ahead. She could feel the knots forming in her stomach as the house came into view. It still looked the same; tall, stark white against the clear, blue, southern sky, pristine yellow rose bushes lining the front. She could have been looking at the cover of "Southern Living." Her mother stood on the wide porch looking out towards her, her hand shading the bright sun from her eyes.
Calleigh chewed the inside of her cheek and checked her rearview mirror to make sure Eric was still following her as she pulled her car up to the house. Her mother waved to her from the porch. Calleigh put a brave smile on her face. She killed the engine, got out of the car and walked up the front porch steps toward her mother.
"Hi, Mama," she said.
Calleigh hugged her mother for the first time in over five years.
"Oh, baby, let me get a good look at you." Her mother said, stepping back and smiling from ear to ear. "Sweetheart, do they have food in Miami? Look how thin you are. Oh, well, I guess you do get a lot of exercise in your line of work, though. Are you hungry? "
Calleigh tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I'm fine, Mama, really."
"Well, let me get you some lemonade or sweet tea or something." She went on, "Baby, who is this? Is he here with you? You didn't tell me you were bringing a guest."
Calleigh turned around as Eric was coming up the steps "Oh, Mama, I'm sorry, this is Eric. He's my…we…we work together." She stuttered.
Eric shook her mother's hand and smiled warmly. "Hello, it's nice to finally meet you."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, dear. Why don't y'all have a seat? She said, pushing them both toward a white wicker bench where they sat. "I'll go get us some sweet tea and we can catch up out here on the porch. Eric, sugar, do you drink tea or would you like some lemonade?" she asked.
"Tea would be great, thank you." He said, smiling at her.
When her mother went back in the house Calleigh released a huge breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding. She leaned over, both elbows on her knees and her face in her hands.
"What in the hell am I doing? "
Eric chuckled and rubbed soothing circles on her back, "Calleigh, calm down. She seems nice."
"Nice," Calleigh looked up incredulously, "That's how it starts, Eric. She's all sugar and charm at first…you'll see. And wait till the rest of them get here. I'm gonna have to hide those truck keys from you to keep you from running for the hills. You just wait."
Eric shook his head and grinned at Calleigh. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her on her forehead. With four days ahead of them, he hoped she wouldn't prove him wrong.