Chapter 25

                                    

                                          
Chapter 25
                          
It was a sound I haven't heard in a long time. That's why all I was able to do for a moment was just stand there, taking in the ringing sound before it left my ears the next second. I recognized it. It was just very astonishing to hear such a sound after so long. Hell, even before I ran away, I barely heard that sound. The only people that would ring it were dumb kids wanting to see where the crazy girl lived. Other than that, nobody really came over to my house. So you can imagine what my first thoughts were when hearing the doorbell chime through the house.
                          
It was in the middle of the afternoon; Luke would be home within an hour or so. Of course, the doorbell just had to ring now when I would be forced to get it. But should I get it? As far as I knew, nobody was aware I was back in town besides Patrick. There was nothing on the news about it, which was really weird, but I wasn't complaining. If anybody, it was one of my old friends or someone that had heard a rumor that I was back. I didn't want to deal with that shit right now. Especially after so long without being harassed by random people. When living on the streets, the one thing I didn't need to worry about was people harassing me. They didn't recognize me. Here though, everybody knew me or of me. 
                          
No matter how much I didn't want to, the second ring sent me in action as I groaned. Heading down the stairs and through the living room, I approached the door. Taking a deep breath, I grasped the handle and opened the door. 
                          
There was a woman standing before me. She looked to be in her 50s with the small sign of wrinkles around her eyes and the edge of her smiling, thin lips. She was really pretty though for her age. She had blond hair with small tints of brown cascading down that stopped just below her shoulders. She was on the shorter side and looked to weigh a little less than me. She was supporting a blue striped button up tee-shirt and a brown skirt, which looked to be made with light material from how the gentle breeze managed to easily make it ruffle around her knees. I was confused already because I wasn't expecting anything less than a immature boy and some jokes. But I became a little suspicious at seeing she was holding a yellow rose in her hand. 
                          
"Who are you?" I asked. Yeah, yeah, I know but I was never good with manners - or at good first impressions upon meeting people.
                          
I saw her eyes widen slightly as she took me in. It was strange but I became self conscious again with how I looked. She appeared dressed up, clean, and organized. I was wearing a dark green and plain cotton tee-shirt with baggy grey sweatpants. I didn't shower yet today and my hair up in my bun was sloppy, coming undone with strands hanging around my field of vision. But I soon found that that was not why her eyes had widened.
                          
She looked slightly confused. "Are you... are you my son's new stepdaughter?"
                          
I smiled. This was an awesome way to meet my new granny! "I don't know. Did your son make the dumbest mistake of his life and marry a woman by the name of Clare?"
                          
She smirked but her eyes were sad. "I think he did if my daughter-in-law kept all these secrets. You most of all."
                          
I felt my smile grow until I could feel my teeth reveal. I think I'm going to like her. We already had something in common: agreeing Luke made a huge mistake in marrying Clare. "Well, damn grandma, I think I'm going to like you." I opened the door wider for her and gestured for her to come in. 
                          
It wasn't long before we were both sitting on the couch, talking. And the more time pasted, the more comfortable she seemed to become and the less I became. I didn't know how to respond to the way she was treating me. 
                          
"My name is January. But you can call me Jan," she said after I pushed to know her name. I was talking to her. I think I have a right to know the lady's name.