When we arrived, my grandparents were waiting. Adam and I had to say goodbye to Jhenna, Brandon, and Emma.Jhenna said," We're staying in town. I found a nightclub for us in a nearby city."
I stared at her, incredulous.
"We'll pick you up at midnight," she said.
"But my grandparents…" I began.
"They're old, Mia. They probably sleep like rocks — they won't even notice," Jhenna replied.
Adam said, "Mia, if you don't want to go…"
"I'm going!" I cut him off. "Actually, we're going!"
He smiled.
Brandon said, "That's what I like to hear."
Adam and I stepped out first. We saw my grandparents. I ran to them and hugged them tightly. It felt like time had stopped.
"My little girl, you look so beautiful," my grandfather said.
"This is Adam," I introduced.
My grandfather took off his glasses, stepped closer to Adam, and stared at him. Adam froze.
"He looks like a good kid."
We all laughed. My grandmother placed her hand on Adam's shoulder."Come on now."
As we walked, I watched every street, every house. It felt so good seeing the colorful little homes full of flowers.
"Sweetheart, are you seeing any of your friends today?" my grandfather asked.
"No, Grandpa. We're having a bonfire on Saturday. I want to spend more time with you two."
My grandmother said, "And what about Izzie?"
I smiled, thinking of my friend."Can I invite her for lunch tomorrow?"
"Of course, sweetheart. But there's an exhibition downtown tomorrow. Invite her to go with us."
I agreed. Izzie was my oldest friend; we grew up together.
When we arrived at the farm, my dogs were all in the yard, jumping on me except Bob, who was whining. He was a two-year-old poodle. My grandmother stroked his fur."Mia, he hasn't been well since you left."
I picked Bob up, and he rested his head against my chest.
Adam said, "Mia, take him to your room."
Would my dad allow that? My grandmother just shrugged.
I walked into the house with Bob in my arms. Every piece of furniture, every corner… everything was in its place. A hollow ache filled me. I missed my mother so much. It looked physically the same, but something felt different.
We settled into our rooms. I looked around my old room, nostalgic.
"Knock, knock," Adam said as he walked in. He looked around and laughed."This is so you."
He was right. My crafts, the white walls, the floor… and then I smelled lasagna. My grandmother always made it for me.
"Grandma, lasagna?" I asked.
"Yes, sweetheart. You guessed it," she replied.
She served dinner. It was so pleasant. We talked, and I shared a few updates the ones I could.
At one point, I asked about my uncle Alex. My grandmother's expression shifted."Oh, sweetheart… not much. When your father met your mother, he had already been gone for two years. I know he was troubled, used drugs. That's all."
My grandfather changed the subject, mentioning my horse."Want to go to the stables?" he asked.
"Yes, of course!"
After dinner, we went to the stables. Everything was the same. I took the chance to ride. I missed galloping, the wind against my face.
"Want to ride, Adam?" my grandfather asked.
"No, sir. I want to make it out of here alive," Adam said.
We all laughed.
We went back home and talked until 11 p.m. Adam nudged me."It's almost time."
I got ready in a rush. Adam said we needed to be at the gate by 11:55. I jumped out the window and waited. He showed up moments later.
"Ready?" he asked.
When we reached the gate, they were already waiting for us. My heart was racing like it was about to explode… I had never done anything like this before sneaking out to go to a nightclub. We got into the car Brandon had rented, and on the way there, my chest thumped harder at every turn.
I remembered everything my father had begged me not to do don't drink, don't get into trouble and I thought: Why do I have to be so obedient, even after everything he put me through? Why do his rules always come before what I want?
I let out a deep breath and made a silent decision: that night, I would let myself have fun like never before. After all, at that moment, I didn't have a boyfriend to worry about, or anyone to control me. It would be my night, my freedom, my small rebellion against everything that held me back.