“Erin!” I screamed running after her.

***

I sat in my car parked outside of my parents’ house. It seems like I haven’t talked to them in forever. I gather myself together and head towards the door.

“Spencer,” Paula says and wraps me in a hug.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Paula, is that Spencer?” My dad yelled from inside the house. My mom looks and me and smiles giving me one more hug before letting me inside the house. I walked through the living room and found my brothers battling each other out on their new PS3.

“Hey, Clay, hey, Glen. I can’t believe you guys still play video games and live at home.”

The both look back at me and smile. “Hey.” They both say in unison and return back to their game. Clay looks back at me, “And I like living at home.” I laugh and look back at the kitchen where my dad is in his “cooking zone.”

“Spencer!” He says wiping off his hands on his apron and gives me a hug.

“Dad, how’s it going?”

“I’m doing good.” He goes back to check his spaghetti. “Dinners ready!” He yells out and Glen and Clay whine trying to finish up their game. My mom and I set up the table as my dad sets the freshly cooked spaghetti on the table. Everyone gets seated and all pray.

“Let’s eat!” My dad says and we begin to pass around the food.

“I miss your cooking.” I say genuinely and my dad smiles back.

“So Spencer, how’s tennis going?” Clay asks.

“It’s good, little on and off. I’ve been practicing every so often.”

“When are your matches starting?”

“In a few weeks.” I say leaning back in my chair.

“So, what brings you here?” My mom asks putting a couple stings of spaghetti in her mouth.

“I dunno,” I say completely lying to myself.

“Seriously, Spence,” Glen says eying me, “Where are your girlfriends at?”

I almost choke on my food. “Wha?”

“You know what I mean.” Glen says pressing me for details and all of my family.

“Well, my girlfriend and I are taking a little break.”

“Ahh, Spence, sorry to bring it up.” Glen replies sincerely.

My eyes begin to water a little with the thought of Ashley running through my head. I try to hold back my tears as I continue to eat my food. The whole house is silent and is swarming with awkwardness.

“So…how ‘bout them dodgers?” My dad says.

“Mighty well I reckon,” Glen says in his best accent.

“Great way to break the ice, Dad.” I said smiling.

“That’s how we do.”

Glen, Clay, and I all look at each other and burst out in laughter.

“What’d I do?” My dad asks.

“Nothing, dear.” My mom says patting her husband’s hand.