Finding Home by Megan Nugen Isbell

amazed at my sister’s ability to play music that you could feel in your veins. 
    My parents looked up when they heard the door close and their attention immediately focused on Brandon.  We’d never spent a lot of time at my house growing up.  My house wasn’t exactly known as the place to be.  My parents were too uptight, which is why a majority of our time had been spent out at Jesse’s place.  His mom had left when he was practically a baby and his dad had never bothered us.  It was the perfect place to hang out.
    “Hey,” I said cheerfully, shutting the door behind us. “I’m home.”
    “We saved a plate for you, in case you’re hungry,” my dad said and then dried his hands before making his way over to us, sticking his hand out to Brandon. “Long time no see, young man.  It’s an honor.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Brandon said, but as I looked at him, I saw he didn’t seem to like the attention my dad was giving him.
    “It’s good to see you home safe and sound,” my mom piped in, hugging Brandon after she’d joined us. 
    “It’s good to be home,” was all he said.
    “Brandon got a new truck today.  Mind if I go break it in with him after I take a shower?”
    “Of course not,” my mom said and then I turned to Brandon.
    “Ten minutes.  Promise.”
    “Take your time,” he said and then I trotted upstairs.
    Shay was still playing and I went straight to the bathroom, turning on the shower and getting in before the water was even hot.  I scrubbed the shampoo in quickly and ran the soap over my body.  I think the whole process took maybe three minutes and then with one towel wrapped around my head and another around my body, I tiptoed quickly to my bedroom, shutting the door and going straight to my closet, scouring it for what I would wear.  It didn’t take me long to decide on a pair of cut-offs and a t-shirt, slipping on a pair of flips flops and running a glob of mousse through my hair, scrunching up the blonde waves and then quickly brushing my teeth.  I looked at the clock and I was almost certain I’d made it in the ten minute time frame I’d promised Brandon.
    I skipped quickly down the stairs and saw Brandon sitting in the living room with my parents.  I think my dad was trying to talk to him about Afghanistan and what had happened there.  I could tell by the uneasy look on his face he wasn’t comfortable with the conversation and when he looked up at me, I knew he was ready to leave.   
    “All done and in ten minutes…I think,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “Ready to go, Brandon?”
    “Yeah,” he said, standing up and then walking over to my dad in the recliner and shaking his hand again. “It was good to see you again, Mr. Dalton.  You too, Mrs. Dalton.”  He went to my mom, leaned down and gave her a quick hug before walking over to me.
    “Don’t be a stranger,” my dad said.
    “I won’t,” Brandon replied and then I took his elbow, inching him towards the door.
    “I’ll be home later,” I said and we walked out before they could reply. “You okay?” I asked Brandon as we walked towards his truck. “You seemed a little scared in there.”
    “I’m fine.  Your dad’s just always intimidated me.”
    “Join the club,” I laughed as he opened the passenger door for me and I climbed inside.
    I looked around as he walked in front of the truck.  It was nice.  Smooth leather seats, new car smells and dog tags hanging from the rearview mirror. 
    Brandon was in the driver’s seat a second later.  When he turned on the ignition, the dashboard lit up and Brad Paisley blared through the speakers.  He reached over quickly, turning it down so it wasn’t drowning everything else out. 
    “Shall we?” he asked, looking over to me and I nodded as he eased the truck from the curb.
    “Was my dad totally bothering you?” I asked as we drove. 
    “No.  He just thanked me for my service and asked me how I’d been doing since I got