The Day He Came Back

by Penelope Ward

“Remember how I said this was my favorite place?” “Yeah?” “Well, you’re my favorite person.”

“I wouldn’t even know how to tell him.” “That’s easy. You say ‘Gavin, I’m sorry to inform you, but your mother was a cunt.’ Then you tell him the story.”

Weldon cracked up. “Could this family be any more dysfunctional? My apparently engaged brother still has it for you. I can see it in his eyes. Meanwhile, my father has it for you, too, but only because he always had it for your mother, who’s now dead, except he thinks you’re her. And me? I’m just drunk and watching it all go down, while I’m sure my mother is rolling around in her grave.” Well, ain’t that the truth.

“It just…sucks.” “Yeah, I know.” He actually looked a little sad. Then he snapped his fingers. “Hey! Want me to seduce her tonight? Break them up? I mean, look at me. She won’t be able to resist.” He wriggled his brows.

“I get it. I do. But are you sure he’s in love with her?” “He’s marrying her. Why would he have proposed if he didn’t love her? And the way they ganged up on me today…they’re a unit. It was very telling.” She stared at me, looking helpless. “So that’s it? This is how the story ends?” I closed my eyes a moment. “Yeah.” I swallowed. “I have to move on.”

“There you are. I was wondering where everyone was. I—” He took notice of the situation in the bathtub. “Oh…hello.” Raven looked miffed. “Can you guys give your dad some privacy? I need to finish rinsing him before my shift ends.” “Sorry. We didn’t mean to intrude.” I shoved Weldon out the door with me. Downstairs in the kitchen, Weldon decided to be Weldon. “I’d like to think maybe she gives him a happy ending.” “I’d like to bash your head against the wall.”

“By the way,” Weldon said. “Don’t you think Mother would find this whole situation hilarious right now? Dad upstairs with a woody, and the three of us taking over the house?” Suddenly, the sky opened up and rain came pouring down. Raven looked up and held her palm out to catch some of the water. “Welp, there’s your answer.”

I snuck in a text to my friend while his attention was on the road. Raven: Long story but Gavin is coming with me. He just wants to say hello. Marni: ?????!!!!! Raven: It’s nothing like that. We were talking and I told him I was coming here. He wants to say hi. That’s all. Marni: !!!!!!!!!!

“That was intense. Pretty sure I came faster than my first time with you. I felt like I’d waited forever.” She smiled. “Ten years, to be precise.”

“I was in love once,” Mr. M said. Gavin smiled. “Really?” “Yes.” “What was her name?” “Renata.” Gavin’s eyes widened as he looked over at me. “Tell me about her.” “She was beautiful. And she took care of me.” “What else?” “She listened to me.” “Where is she?” He blinked several times, then finally said, “She died.”