Going Home

Part 71

Finally it was time to leave. Josh carried the bags out to the car and as Grace said goodbye to Robert and Margaret he took a last look around the farm. He remembered how, when they first arrived, that he had stood in the same spot and thought nothing had changed in the fourteen years he had been away. Today however, as he looked around, it seemed everything was different. The farm still felt familiar, but it no longer evoked the painful feelings it used to. Feeling that kept it trapped in a past that no one wanted to remember. To Josh it seemed more had changed in three days of his being there than in the fourteen years he was away. Turning to his parents Josh prepared himself to say goodbye.

Grace watched Josh as he approached his parents. She wondered what he was feeling. She suspected that leaving may be almost as painful for him as arriving.

Reaching Robert first Josh put out his hand to shake his father’s. Robert clasped Josh’s hand, then on impulse, he pulled his son forward and hugged him. Josh was surprised but before he could react it was over. Feeling a little embarrassed he said “see ya.”

Robert smiled and patting him on the arm he said in an adamant tone, “count on it.”

Turning to his mother Josh was more prepared for what happened and when Margaret hugged him, Josh even managed to return the embrace. But as he moved back Margaret clasped his face between her hands. “Bye Josh, I’ll ring you in a couple of days” and before he could move away she kissed his cheek. 

Josh’s expression was serious as he moved back but not because he objected to the gesture. He just wasn’t sure how to respond. Thoughtful for a second, he finally said “okay, talk to you then” and holding his hand up to his father Josh got into the driver’s seat. Grace smiled at Josh’s parents and waving she got into the passenger seat. She looked over at Josh. “You okay?”

Josh turned his head and looked at her for a minute before he said “yeah, I’m good.”

Grace smiled and reaching out, laid a hand on his face. She was happy he’d come out of it okay.

Then turning his head back to the front, Josh started the car and backed out of the yard and on to the drive. Putting his arm out the window and giving Robert and Margaret a wave, Josh, with Grace, started the trip home.