I had gone over this scenario millions of times in my head over the last five years, and it was finally happening. From the second my dad told me we were moving i begged him to let us stay and once we got to Arizona i begged him to let us to come back, after a while he grew tired of hearing it so he told me that when the contract we had with the people renting our house in Florida was up we could move back. I counted down the days and it was finally here. A couple days ago called us and invited us over for a welcome home dinner at their house, I went over what I would say to Gabby when I finally saw her again but when i finally stepped through their front door it all slipped out of my brain.
Everything in their house was placed exactly the same but it was all different. The old leather sofa was gone but in its place was a newer cream colored sofa, all the frames placed across the piano were in their places but inside them were different pictures, it was almost like a completely new house.
"Hello Dusty its nice to see you" said with a tight smile
"Hi , how are you"
"I'm great, just fine. How are you Dusty?" she said a but frantic
"I'm good" i barely finished before she began talking to my parents and brothers, but i didn't mind since I was a bit preoccupied looking around.
"I'm sorry that Gabrielle isn't here right now" said to the group though she was looking at me apologetically the whole time.
"Don't worry about it Samantha" my mother said.
"well make yourselves comfortable and I'll just finish cooking" said before disappearing into the kitchen followed by my mother, then after a few moments of considering his options my dad also followed them.
Carson plopped onto the couch then Jared sat next to him, i was about to sit too but i heard some pattering behind me and turned to see Roscoe slowly making his way to me, his tail wagging faster than i had ever seen it. "Roscoe! come here buddy!" i said sitting on the floor next to him, he laid on the floor and let me pet him for a while before falling asleep, as he slept he looked like he had melted onto the floor in the way only basset hounds do. we just sat there like that for an hour before we heard car roar up in front of the house and squeal to a stop then came running though the living room and out the front door. "what th-" i began but was interrupted by muffled yelling outside then shoved a girl in the door.
"wait who?" i heard her say.
"Gabby?" I was shocked to finally be seeing her
"D-Dustin." i cringed at her saying why full first name, she used to call me Dusty, only people who didn't REALLY know me called me 'Dustin'
"Oh Gabrielle look how beautiful you are now" My mom said hugging her tightly
"thanks" Gabby said glancing at my mom then returning her gaze to me
"well I'm sure you and the boys would like to catch up so i'll let you be on your merry little way" my mom said before returning to the kitchen.
All i could do was stare, she wasn't like I remembered, she was new, she was beautiful.