Chasing Midnight Promises

t. My final paper was over just two days ago, and I was done with Year Two of

I was flying home to Times Square, New York City. N

rprise. Our parents would be shocked, and I could already imagine

r, asking her to make something special for dinner. She was the only one in on

d back in my seat. I took a deep bre

ork, the sun was mild but golden. I inhaled

up in front of our mansion. The tall iron gate, the trimmed hedge

med no one was around except Nana. But as I got c

d she ran out, apron

d!" Nana rushed to hug me,

me you've missed me mor

id, "You grew skinny. What

ag inside. "You'll feed me

ered under the chandelier light, and the scent of cinnamon drifted from th

, but I cut her off with a lo

she tri

! Let me go

les. Grown-up giggles. My

rd Nana, eyes narrowed. "Who

t heard a thing. I tiptoed to the slight

flour on her nose. Dad was behind her, arms around her waist, swaying as she stirred something in a

ce me watching. They were too bus

My dad often left work early just to watch mom nap. She always made silly excuses to sit on his lap while watchin

nt promise. I would find a man l

again, she spun around with a laug

"How long have you

ip. "I jus

ing her mouth. My dad looked over

mpk

hug. I hadn't realized how

you were coming?" Mom

se you, but instead

o warn you?" Mum said, playfu

suspiciously. "But what are you both doing at home on a W

We decided to take the day

g myself a man like Dad or

white bed, photographs of our family along the shelves. I collapsed on my

r the break. Isabella wasn't home yet. She was in college too, studying at The Cit

I had a call

ack too,"

. "Noah

es. He got in

ly with us," I said. "I would have

so dra

hinks the whole world

nts played in my head again. Their love was beautiful, pure, and

use felt complete again. We laughed, watc

Production studio. I learned to handle cameras, sit in

ays ended. Year

me up. I dashed out, o

You didn't say your

light if we don't

t say a word. He was texting Ava

being arrogant but for how

reamed when I saw his seat

Raven?" I

shru

screen. Messages from girls flooded his Wha

st man alive, I'd s