“Let’s go inside. Shea is sleeping on the couch. She’s been waiting for you. Shana is heating up your plate.”
“The only one missing is Mike.” My mother frowns, turning away to go into the house. She worries about my brother-in-law and knows how much stress my sister is under while he’s gone. Each time he leaves, Shana and Shea move in with my parents because my mom doesn’t want Shana to be alone. Mike’s a great guy and I’m proud of him. I only wish he were home to watch my niece grow up; although I don’t have much room to talk since I’m not home either.
As soon as I step into the kitchen, the smell of home washes over me. My sister is behind the counter, looking as beautiful as ever, with her dark hair piled high on her head. She wears a Proud Army Wife t-shirt and once we make eye contact, she’s sprinting toward me. I pick her up and hold her, telling her how much I’ve missed her. I don’t care if it was last week or six months ago when I saw them last – we’re a close family and being apart from them really sucks.
“Shea is going to be so excited that her Unc is home.”
“I can’t wait to take her to the field tomorrow.” I set my sister down and look her over. She’s seemed to age since the last time I saw her, not that I’m going to tell her that. Mike’s tours must be getting to her. “How are you, Shana?”
“I’m good. I stay busy with work and Mike calls a lot.”
“When’s he coming home?”
“Soon,” she says, nodding. “It’ll be soon.” Shana doesn’t say anything more on the subject and walks away when the microwave beeps.
“Your bag is in your room,” my dad says, returning from down the hall. I was so wrapped up in seeing my sister that I didn’t even know he had come into the house. As I look around the kitchen, nothing has changed and yet everything seems so much smaller than the last time I was here. I’m so used to my open floor plan and how everything is bright in my house. My parent’s kitchen is dated and dark. The cabinets have to be from the seventies, and even though the appliances were replaced while I was in high school, they’re outdated now.
From where I’m standing, I can see into the family room. The cream colored carpet needs to replaced, walls could use a fresh coat of paint and the curtains updated. I know my parents won’t let me buy them a new house, but they never said anything about remodeling.
“You should let me remodel your house,” I say as I sit down. My sister puts a hot plate of food down in front of me, and I instantly dig in, having missed the taste of a home cooked meal. She sits to my left with my mom on my right and my dad across from me. I know they hate it when I try to spend money on them, but it’s something I can afford to do and want to do this for them.
“We don’t need your money, Ethan.” My mom says, putting her hand on my forearm. “You’re going to need it someday.”
“Mom, if I spend that much money in my lifetime, something is seriously wrong with me.”
“Maybe you should take him up on the offer,” Shana says. I smile at her, silently thanking her for taking my side.
“I tried to buy you a car, but you gave the money to Shea.”
“She needed a college fund,” my mom retorts.
“That I would’ve set up for her!” I counter, putting my fork down. I look at my parents, hoping to convey that I’m serious. “You guys worked your tails off for Shana and me. We had the best of everything. Let me do this for you.” I turn to my mom and pick up her hand. “I know you have a Pinterest board full of ideas for the house. Let me make that happen.”
“How do you know about my Pinterest?” I don’t know if she’s surprised I know what Pinterest is, or that I know about her board.
“Shana told me.” I wink at her, earning an eye roll. They may balk and try to change my mind, but deep down they know I can do this for them and will. I look at my sister who is beaming. “You can start making some calls.”
Mom lets out a big screech before covering her mouth, hoping to have not awakened Shea.