Finding Me by Stephanie Rose Page B

see her?”
    Dad laughed and rubbed the top of Joey’s head. “We’ll build a secret doorway, Joe. Let’s go practice with LEGO.” Dad shook his head at us and made his way back downstairs with Joey.
    Mom settled on my bed as I unpacked. “You do look a little different. But a good different. Relaxed and happy. I hated that you felt you had to go so far away from home, but I’m glad to see you like this.”
    I nodded as I folded my clothes into my dresser drawer. “I saw Christian’s truck parked in the driveway of his parents’ house. And I didn’t care. Not even a little. I think I’m finally past it. It’s about time, right?”
    Mom leaned back on the bed and shrugged. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You needed to work through it in your own time and at your own pace.”
    “Didn’t I say to call me the second you got in?” Barb’s voice drifted up the stairway before she burst into my room and tackled me with a hug. She was the only true friend I had left after Christian and I broke up. She was two years older than me and already in college during the worst of it, but she commuted and lived at home. She let me use her house as a safe haven when things with Christian blew up, and was the reason I didn’t disintegrate into a thousand pieces before I graduated.
    “I’m still unpacking!” I laughed as I plugged in my laptop and laid my phone on my dresser.
    “I’ll let you guys catch up.” Mom stood from the bed. “I’m sure Barb wants the uncensored report on Owen without your mom around.” Her lips twitched as she made her way out and closed the door.
    “So tell me about Savannah hotness. Any new pics?” Barb bounced on the edge of the bed.
    I dug out my phone and scrolled to the latest picture we took together after Owen’s hockey game last week.
    “Shit, Bella. He’s hot . Even the bandana on his head is sexy.” Barb gave me an exaggerated shiver as she handed the phone back. “I am so happy you finally moved on from that douche down the street.”
    I chuckled as I folded my legs under me and rested my head on my hands. “I’m happy, too. It was liberating walking past his house and not feeling a damn thing. I’m not looking forward to running into him, though.”
    Barb shrugged. “If you do, nod a hello and keep walking. Or don’t acknowledge him at all. You owe him nothing. I’d love for him to run into you when Owen is here.”
    “Christian would be at school anyway. It’s a random weekend in March.”
    “Oh, that’s right. You don’t know.” Barb leaned back and folded her arms.
    I sat up and peered at Barb. “Know what?”
    “Christian is living back at home. He flunked out of school and has to make up credits at Queens Community College. No hockey, no frat parties. Just home and school. His parents are so pissed they’re making him work with his dad in construction on weekends to pay his own tuition.”
    My mouth dropped open. “Holy shit! Are you serious?”
    “Oh yes.” Barb stood and put her hand on my shoulder. “Karma comes through once in a while, and it’s glorious when she does.” She kissed the top of my head and made her way out the door. “I’ll call you later. You have family time to catch up on. Maybe we’ll do something tomorrow?”
    “Sounds good. You know, for the first time in a while, it’s great to be home.”
    “And it’s great to have the old Bella back.” Barb winked before she ran down the stairs.
    I leaned back on my pillows and shut my eyes.
    Yes, it was great to be back.

Bella
    “HERE, BELLA. TRY THIS ONE.” Joey handed me random LEGO pieces as we sat on the floor trying to build a robot. He was so excited to have me home, the only place he didn’t trail me was the bathroom.
    “Did you watch this when you were little?” Joey pointed to the TV on the wall with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on the screen.
    I chuckled. “This show is so old, I think Dad watched it when he was little.” I gazed at Dad lounging on the couch