As I got off the plane, I saw my brother, David, waiting for me in the airport. He was holding up a sign with my name on it.
"Has anyone ever told you how corny you are?" I said jokingly.
"Yes as a matter of fact. Come here."
He wrapped me into a big hug. I haven't seen him in such a long time, that tears began to flow freely from my eyes.
"Wipe those tears. You're going to need them for when you see mom." He said, as he wiped my tears away.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
We left the airport, got in the car, heading to Charming and, I felt like it was a whole new beginning for me. New York was amazing but, I missed home too much. I nearly cracked under the underwhelming pressure of being homesick, and other things I didn't want to discuss with anyone. I felt like New York wasn't the big fulfillment I thought it was going to be. Mentoring under Simon McCall was stressful. He was the top pianist in the east. My whole life I wanted to study under him, and I did.
"A world class prodigy, huh?" David said.
"Shut up."
"I'm just saying it's not everyday you get to see your little sister in a article of the New York Times being called a prodigy. Simon McCall? What was he like? What was New York like? I mean it must've been amazing considering you couldn't call for the past 7 years."
"First of all, I'm 24 years old I can make my own decisions. I was very busy in NY I didn't know it would consume most of the time, I apologize. Second of all, the phone works both ways buddy. And third of all, New York was great. Thanks for asking."
"Well I guess you got me there. I'm sorry too."
He looked as if there was something troubling on his mind. As if he was trying to tell me using the best words he could.
"David, what's wrong?"
"It's about mom and dad."
"Are they okay? Are they hurt? Did one of them die? Is mom pregnant again?" I said persistently.
"What? No, gosh what's wrong with you?"
"Well tell me then!"
"They're... they're... getting a divorce, Brookie."
"What? What?! What happened?"
"I don't know I guess the spark just wasn't there anymore. It's been rough the past few years."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Like I said, you've been hard to get into contact with."
"Wow. Thanks for making me feel like shit."
"Well, you're welcome. Anyway they're were going to break the news to you when you got home but, I felt it best to tell you now. You know? So you don't make a big scene at the..." He trailed off. Like he was about to say something he shouldn't have.
"Oh gosh, please don't tell me they're throwing me a surprise party."
"I'm afraid so. Don't tell mom I told you. She'll rip my head off. She's been planning this for weeks."
"Well it's gonna cost you."
"What is it this time?"
"I don't know but when the time is right I'll let you know."
"Alright. I should tell you that I'm suppose to keep you occupied until 8 because that's when the party starts. So what do you want to do for the next 3 hours?"
"I guess we can go to the church."
When I decided to move back to Charming, I knew I would have to get a job. I didn't want to be 24 living with my parents and be a freeloader. So I applied to play the piano at church. At least I have a job I know I'll be good at. On weekdays, I train kids to play at the church too. It was either this or getting a certificate in nursing. I'm way too scared to be around blood. It just reminding me of dying and like any normal person I was afraid of death. Plus, hospitals just sucked to me.
"Well, Pastor Sam will love to meet his new talented pianist."
"Yea, I bet." I said jokingly.
"Hey, there's a question I kind of got on my mind for a while now."
"Shoot."
"If everything was so good in New York, why pick up and leave to come back to Charming. You always claimed there was something more outside of Charming. Begging to leave it."
My hands started to sweat as soon as I heard his question.
"It's just that ... I missed home." I said trying to sound convincing.
"Bullshit. I know when you're lying Brooke."
"Fine, I couldn't take it anymore. It was so competitive, and I know I can be competitive too. Though everything was just so hard all of the time. I always thought I was the smartest, most talented person. Then, I got there and realized that other people are too. I felt stupid, unworthy. When I got that spot to mentor under Simon I was so happy. But that didn't stop everything though. Everyone wanted my stop and didn't care what they have to do for it. I don't know why though, he was kind of an ass. After 6 years of getting my masters in music and, a year of being tortured by Simon, I quit. I didn't know where else to turn. My apartment was going to be evicted ... but, there was also another reason. Someone started a rumor that ... I had sex with Simon. Before you ask it's not true! After that things got pretty rocky. Everyone treated me differently, convinced of a lie. So that's why I moved back to Charming. I wished it could've been on different reasons but, it's not."
"Shit Brooke, you should've called."
"I know, I just didn't know what to say."
" 'I need help' you could've said that. I'm sorry all that happened to you. Do you know who started that rumor?"
"Yea but, nothing would happen to them."
"Who is it?"
"Simon's niece."
"Shit."
"Yea, she's one piece of shit."
"Well you best stop swearing because we're at the church."
I let out a big laugh. It felt good to be around my family again. Even if I was dreading the party they were throwing for me.
"Brooke! How wonderful it is to see you." Pastor Sam said.
"Thank you so much. It's wonderful to see you too."
"Hello, Pastor Sam." David said.
"Hello David."
After the formal greetings and learning about he job me and my brother went to back to the car to get something to eat.
"So what's going on with you?"
"Oh me? Well, I made deputy."
"I always forget you're a cop. It's suits you, you're a major tattletale."
"Thanks, Brooke."
"Wanna go to the diner?"
"I thought you never asked."
The diner was always the place David and I went to when we wanted to escape reality. Oh what a burger and milkshake could do. Everything felt right in the world for the time being. I was happy.