Sunflowers

Home Again, Home Again

"Thia!" Teddy bounded out into the snow when she, Ellie, and Cosette stepped out of the cab. She laughed as he hugged her and Ellie. He was hardly dressed for the weather, in jeans and a sweater with only sandals on his feet.

"Hi, Teddy!" Ellie said, hugging him back. She loved her honorary uncle to bits. Thia rolled her eyes

"Munchkin!" He took her from Thia, leading the way into the house. He and Ellie babbled to each other as Thia laughed,  pulling their trunks from her pocket and placing them in the guest room. Then she returned to her friend.

~

It was nearing eight the next morning when Thia worked up the courage to ask, "Hey, Teddy? Do you know where Green Lane is?"

"Oh, yeah, go out and to the left, all the way down. You'll find it." He cocked his head, pulling on his coat. "Why do you ask?"

"Aunt Poppy gave me the key to my old house. It's on Green Lane. I'm thinking about going to visit." Teddy hugged her.

"Good luck. I have to go to work now, but I'll be back around four. We can go out to eat tonight." Thia nodded, waving goodbye as he disappeared on the spot. Then she steeled herself and went to fetch Ellie's winter things.

~

"Where are we, Aunt Thia?" Ellie asked, clutching her hand as they arrived in front of number 17, Green Lane, Middlesbrough. The woman looked down at her, a sad smile on her face.

"We're visiting my old house, babydoll," Thia said, picking up Ellie. The redhead grinned.

"Aunt Poppy's?" She shook her head.

"Before that. With my parents."

Thia gripped the key tightly, walking up the old, cracked walkway. Cosette trotted beside her, well aware that her person was nervous. Even though the paint on the walls was faded and peeling, the walkway had been shovelled and salted. Thia fit the key into the lock, opening the door slowly.

Memories flooded through her, and she swallowed around the lump in her throat. Cosette nudged her hand, and Thia stroked her ear. She stepped passed the threshold, nearly stepping on the pieces of paper that covered the floor.

"What're those, Aunt Thia?" Ellie twisted so that her aunt would set her down. She did, frowning. Thia picked up some of the papers. There were hundreds, each bearing a different scrawl.

Dory broke her arm climbing the old oak, the one you used to scale like a monkey, Thia. - Jeremy (18/7/74)

Frank jumped in the river today, fully clothed. I couldn't help but think how you would have followed him so that he didn't feel alone. - Penny (26/8/73)

"They're letters, love."

She shuffled through them. Each one was written by a childhood friend. Jeremy had been a few years older than her, had lived across the street, and was always up to climbing a tree. Penny had practically been her sister. Dory was Jeremy's little sister, always tagging along after her brother. Frank was king of dares, never once questioning if it was a good idea or not.

There was one letter in particular that brought tears to Thia's eyes.

Mum said these letters were supposed to help. That if I wrote them, it would help me come to terms with what happened. But they aren't. I still miss you every day, and I can't get you out of my head. I wish you'd come back. - Beau (January 14, '71)

"Excuse me, but who are you? This is private property and you need to leave," a voice called from behind her. Thia turned, setting a hand on Cosette's head. The Goldendoodle's hackles were up, not liking the man's tone of voice. Ellie hid behind her aunt, peering out at the man.