Going Home

Part 35

Opening the back door of the car Josh lifted out their bags and as he lifted his head and looked around he wasn’t sure coming here was a good idea. But short of getting in the car and driving away, there was nothing he could do about it now. So resigning himself to the fact that he had to go through with it he shut the door and followed the others into the house.

However as soon as Josh stepped foot inside he was once again transported back to his teenage years. Little had changed since that time it seemed, except maybe the paint colour. As he stood just inside the door memories flooded his mind and he was unable to move. For long moments they continued to come unabated, all the years growing up there condensed into flashes of memory that he was powerless to stop. And it is only when he felt a touch on his arm that the flow ceased. Confused Josh looked down at the hand on his arm with a frown then up into his mothers eyes. He was glad that she managed to stop the onslaught, but he was unprepared for the familiarity of her touch.

At the look on Josh’s face Margaret removed her hand with a jerk. She was worried about him. She knew this must be hard. But she wasn’t sure how to help. He still seemed so unapproachable. So turning to practicalities instead she suggested in a quiet voice “why don’t you just leave the bags there? You can take them up later.”

Putting the bags down without a word Josh followed his mother into the kitchen. Grace, with a cold drink in her hand, looked at him, a question in her eyes. He still hadn’t said a word since they arrived. She knew this visit would be difficult but if he wasn’t even going to try to communicate she was concerned they won’t resolve anything.

Turning to Josh Robert asked “would you like a drink?”

Josh, having noticed Grace’s look and correctly interpreted it as a sign that he needed to make an effort, looked at his father again and replied “thanks.”

Sighing inwardly Grace smiled at Josh, it wasn’t much, but it was a start.