Page 52 of The Flight Risk

She sways back and forth as she hugs me tightly. “I’m so happy you were able to come back for Taylor’s wedding.”

“Me too.”

My mom blinks away a film of tears. Then she notices Tess behind me.

“And who is this?” Suddenly any trace of sadness in my mother is transformed into pure delight.

I turn back and gesture for Tess to come forward and I swear, you’d think that Tess is the one getting married tomorrow. Her skin has a glamorous glow, her hair is down and curled, and she’s in a matching white set.

Tess approaches my mom and extends her hand out politely. “Hello. I’m Tess Lewis. It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Oakley.”

I forgot to warn Tess that my family are huggers, so when my mom hugs Tess as tightly as she hugged me, Tess’ eyes go wide from shock.

“Oh, hon, the pleasure is all mine. And please call me Donna.”

Before I can swoop in and save her, Tess hugs my mom right back and leans into the embrace.

My dad shakes my shoulders as I smile at the scene unfolding in front of me. “It’s nice to have you home, son.”

“It’s good to be home, Pop.”

My mom excitedly gives Tess a tour of the house and even instructs me to carry all the luggage up to my childhood bedroom. “You will be staying here. The bedding is all washed and ready for you both. I’ll let you settle in and I’ll have things for sandwiches here in a half hour or so?”

“Sounds good. Thank you, Donna.”

“Thanks, Mom. We’ll come down soon.”

She pats my cheek. “I’m so happy you’re home.” She disappears down the hall and I roll our luggage in and set it near the closet.

Tess sits on my measly little full-size bed. Seeing Tess in this room gives me an out-of-body experience. Sitting on my bed. Being in this space where so many of my childhood memories were made. Now, she will forever be part of the memories in this home.

This room is unchanged. Other than the new mattress, bedding and pillows my parents purchased the moment I told them I was coming home for the wedding, this room is like a time capsule of my childhood. Old hockey sticks stand up in the corner by my closet. A framed jersey signed by my favorite player growing up, Corey Crawford, is still hanging on my wall above a rickety old desk my mom found at the thrift store and refurbished. Shelves of assembled Legos line my walls. Plaid curtains hang against my windows.

Tess remains sitting on my bed, rubbing her palms against the navy comforter. “This house is so warm. And your mom is…”

“Overbearing, I know.” I lean against my dresser and cross my arms.

“No.” She shakes her head and fiddles with her fingers. “So loving. It’s nice, Oakley. She gave me a real hug out there. It wasn’t performative. It was real.” Tess sounds choked up and I kneel in front of her.

“That’s because it was a real hug. I should’ve warned you about all the hugging. My parents adore you already.”

“Well I adore them. You hit the jackpot with amazing parents and you are so fortunate to be able to have a childhood home to come back to. We moved so much when we were little, no home was permanent or felt like this. Thank you for inviting me. Truly.”

I run my thumb along her cheek. “There’s no one else that I would want to come with me.”

She leans into my touch and places her hand over mine. “And as for the hugging, you’re lucky that physical touch is my love language.”

“Really? I could have sworn it was acts of service.” I kiss her jaw and nip the side of her neck.

Her shoulder shoots up, cutting off access to her neck. “Okay, mister, time to go downstairs.” She playfully shoves me and raises an eyebrow. “Before you start something you can’t finish.”

I give Tess the room so she can get ready for the wedding. I’m across the hall putting on my black suit and tie, excitedly anticipating seeing Tess in that green dress.

My mom knocks. “Hey, Adam, we’re going to start heading to the venue.”

“That’s fine, Mom. We’ll be right behind you. I think Tess is almost done.”

She pats the side of my cheek and heads back downstairs. I fasten a button on my jacket, take two strides across the hall, and gently tap on the door.