CHAPTER 1
Ryker hoped his return to small-town Georgia would be pretty uneventful, but his mother had other plans. She was so proud of her only child, and she bragged about him and his accomplishments every chance she got. When he graduated as the valedictorian of his high school class, she invited the entire church over to celebrate. When he accepted a full-ride scholarship to Stanford, she had it announced in church and insisted their pastor pray over him. And it took darn near the entire congregation to console her when he boarded the Greyhound bus that took him to Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson International Airport. Her baby had left her, but now he was coming back, and she intended to celebrate.
Constance did everything she could think of to prepare for Ryker’s return. Of course, she had seen her son since he took off for college, but it was always out in Irvine, California, the place he’d called home since obtaining his engineering degree. Ryker was passionate about his work and convincing him to come back south for a couple of weeks was like pulling teeth, but Constance had no shame. She played the guilt card until he caved. One thing Ryker couldn’t stand was the thought that he was doing something to cause his mother a second of unhappiness or heartache. When Constance started sniffling and allowed him to hear the tears that were caught up in her throat, Ryker hung up the phone, made airline reservations, and sent his mother a screenshot of his travel itinerary. Constance knew it was wrong to manipulate him like that, but she didn’t care. She wanted her son home, and she was over the moon to know he would be arriving any minute.
Ryker descended the escalator at the Atlanta airport and immediately spotted the driver holding a sign with his name on it. He smiled at the guy and handed off his luggage, but the smile was just a mask. Ryker loved his mother and always enjoyed his time with her, but if he never had to go back to Allentown again, it would’ve been fine with him. He had fond memories of growing up in the country, but the most overpowering memory was that of his father’s death. His beaten and bloodied body being laid out on their couch by the towns men that found him. The stifling heat in the country church during his funeral as the choir sang his soul home, the burial in the small cemetery in the back of the church, it was what Ryker had always wanted to escape. The thought of returning held no pleasure for him at all. But this trip was for his mother, and for her, nothing was off limits.
As the Escalade turned the corner onto his mom’s street, all Ryker could do was drop his head and chuckle. He knew Constance would go all out, but the street was literally decorated with streamers and balloons. People he hadn’t seen in years and others he’d never met cheered as the SUV slowly made its way down the road. The grills were smoking with the south’s finest barbeque, and music filled the air. Just as he’d suspected, Constance had taken his homecoming celebration way too far.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the driver interrupted Ryker’s train of thought. “Did I miss something, are you a big star I failed to recognize?”
“Nah, man, I’m just a small-town boy coming home to visit his mom.”
“Humph, my mama has never cared this much about my coming home,” the driver chuckled.
“I wish mine didn’t care as much either.”
As the SUV came to a stop, Ryker began to rifle through his pocket for some cash. He wanted to tip the driver well for the pleasant two-hour drive from Atlanta to Allentown. The driver unloaded the luggage and was more than pleased when Ryker slid him two one-hundred-dollar bills. The driver tipped his hat, thanked Ryker, and backed his way out of the carnival happening on Oak Street.
“I can’t believe my baby boy is finally home. I’ve been waiting so long for this day to arrive. You’re back where you belong, son, you’re back where you belong,” Constance cried as she hugged and kissed Ryker as if he were just returning from war.
“It’s good to be back, Mama,” he lied as he wrapped his arms around Constance and lifted her into a tight bear hug. “I’m sorry I stayed away so long, but I promise we’ll have a nice visit.”
The day was filled with introductions, getting reacquainted with old friends and family member, and plenty of good food. The party lasted well into the night and by the time the last guest left, and last bag of trash was gathered, Ryker was wiped out. All he wanted was to shower and get some sleep. He’d almost forgotten how draining the high humidity of the county air could be.
“Do you need anything, Mama, before I hit the shower?”
“No, baby, you’ve more than earned your rest. Go take your shower and get some shut eye. Eight o’clock will be here before you know it,” Constance warned.
“What happens at eight o’clock?”
“It’s third Sunday, boy. You know we always attend church every first and third Sunday. Don’t come down here acting brand new. Everyone staying at 331 Oak Street must go to church when the doors swing open. That will never change. Now get some rest,” Constance said as she planted a kiss on her son’s cheek.
Ryker was too tired to argue, besides, he knew he wouldn’t win. Instead, he took a much-needed steaming hot shower and fell across the small double bed that seemed so big to him as a child. Before he could ponder any more thoughts of yester year, sleep took over.
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