I drove all the way back to my hometown, about a seven hour drive from Seattle, Washington. I've missed my hometown a lot, its been seven years since I moved away. I wonder if the house outside of town is still around. I hope that mom and Miley have been taking good care of it.

I went on the dirt road to the house outside town. You see the reason why I was heading to that house is, when I was little my parents used to take me and my sister there during the summer. It was our summer home. But ever since my dad died when I was eight years old, I hardly ever went there like I used to.

I drove on the dirt road until I could see the house up ahead, it's still standing. I parked in front of the house and got out of the car. It's a two story house, pretty much still beautiful judging by the way it looked. But there were some vines on the side of the house. I'll deal with that once I'm done with the inside.

I looked to my left and see a lake. That was also the best thing about the house me and my sister would always play near the lake. I went to the front door of the house and used the key that was under the rug unlocked the door and went inside.

I walked inside and could see that everything's just dusty. Several cobwebs were hanging from the ceiling. God this place could use a makeover, after all I'm going to live here.

I looked around, this house has a good size kitchen, a big living room with a big fireplace. I went upstairs, the second floor of the house has three bedrooms, one's a master bedroom and the other two are just small. Which it makes sense me and Miley were the only two children staying with mom and dad around that time.

I smiled to myself, well better unpack my things and get to work.

*****

I was cleaning up some of the mess in the house. I went to town to get some cleaning supplies. The old man at the supermarket recognized me and we caught up on things. I never thought he would be alive on this day.

Before I could start cleaning the counter, I could hear a car coming up the driveway outside. I looked out the window and could see a blue four door car outside near mine. I could see three people in it. I recognized two of the but one I don't know.

I went outside and one of them got out of the car and ran to me, it was a girl. My sister Miley O'Donnell. She hugged me tight and smiled at me, "Frank it's so good to see you again! It's been a long time."

I smiled at her, "Seven years to be exact." Then I looked at the other two people who are coming out the car. One of them is my mother, Kate. And there's a guy standing beside her, I don't know him.

Miley released me from her hug and said, "How long have you got here? You should have called me!"

I laughed, "I would have but I think you would be in school. So I decided to just wait for a while."

Miley gave me a mock stare, "And when were you going to tell me that you came back to our summer home?"

I shrugged, "Give me a break sis. I was busy cleaning up the place, and then I'm going to get a job here."

Miley then grinned "Well if it's help you want cleaning this place, then it's help you'll get." Then she motioned to mom and the guy I don't know, "Mom, Ray, and I are here to help out."

I looked at this Ray,  "Who's Ray?"

Miley then gave me a nervous look and said, "Now Frank don't get angry or anything but...Ray is mom's boyfriend."

I looked at mom and Ray and said, "Doesn't bother me none."

Miley then smiled and said, "Well good then we'll get along just fine. Alright guys lets help Frank out with the house."

*****

I sat alone in the kitchen, mom has a boyfriend now? What's he doing here anyways? Trying to tell me that nobody can replace your father? Well if he did then he's right, nobody can replace my father.

I was in my thoughts when I heard my mom interrupt them, "Frank?"

 I looked at her after she said my name, "Oh hi mom."

Mom then said, "So uh...How's it going?"

I nodded, "I'm good, just fine actually."

Mom then took a step toward me, "I could tell on your face that you're not happy to see me."

"I'm also not happy to see your new boyfriend either."

Mom nodded and said, "Frank, I understand why your angry right now but-"

I said sternly, "Oh really mom do you? Because let me tell you something I still have hard feelings about you."

She nodded and said, "I know, but I'm not the same person anymore. I've changed. I don't drink anymore."

I still stared at her, "I'll believe it when I see it."

Mom then sighed and said, "Listen Frank, it'll take some time to like me again, but it'll come soon. I just need to give you space."

I then said, "Only I get to talk to my sister, understand? If you have something you want to say, say it through her for a little while and we'll see what happens next."

Before mom could say something else Ray walked in and said, "Hey babe, can you help me out with-" Then he saw Frank and said, "Oh! Sorry about that I didn't know you were talking to your son Kate."

Miley then came and urged Ray away, "Yeah sorry guys I'll get Ray out of here." Then they left. Leaving me and mom alone again.

Mom nodded and said, "Alright Frank, I get your terms of our agreement, but can I still try to reconnect with you?"

I only said, "No promises."

Mom only stared and said, "Ok, I'll leave you alone now." Then she turned and got back to cleaning the house. I was left alone with a guilty look on my face.

*****

I was sitting around outside during the night on the porch, thinking about today. I was thinking about my mother and her boyfriend.

If you're probably wondering about my dad, well I did tell you he died when I was eight. He died in a car accident.

And if you're probably wondering about why I'm bitter about my mother as well. Well there's a good reason for that, you see after my dad died, she became an alcoholic. And in all honesty she wasn't really the best mom around, around that time of course. She used to scream at me when she was drunk, one time she actually hit me. In fact that's the reason why I moved away to my grandparents house in Seattle, to get away from her.

My sister Miley however did not want to come. Why? Because mom didn't hurt her. Sometimes I wonder why mom only hurt me. Maybe it's because I remind her of dad, I guess that's why she treats me badly.

I sighed, well maybe she really has changed after all, I haven't seen her take a drink ever since she got here. It's a start anyway. But it better be that way from now on. I could have stayed in Seattle but my grandma always told me I have to own up to my past, and so far it seems to be working well. So far.

I got up from my bench on the porch and went inside, ready to get a job tomorrow.

*****

I went to the bar in town, since I've heard that they're hiring a cook there. I have a talent for cooking. I went in the bar and saw a familiar face there. A bartender named Daniel Jacobsen. He smiled at me when he was cleaning a shot glass, "Frank O'Donnell? Is that you?"

I smiled at him and said, "Hey Daniel."

Daniel came out from behind the bar and gave me a hug, "Oh man Daniel, look at how've you grown. You look like your old man."

I giggled, "Yeah I know, I look like dad every day of every year. It's weird! So I see you're still working at the bar."

He nodded, "Yeah I'm still working here, after all I do love bartending. I can't do anything else." Then he laughed.

I laughed with him, "Yeah I can see why." Then I changed the subject, "Speaking of jobs, are you guys hiring a cook? Because I want to apply for the job."

Daniel then said, "I didn't know you love cooking, but sure we are hiring a cook."

I nodded in agreement, "Good, because I tried all the other places here and none of them are hiring, so you're the only place that's hiring."

Daniel nodded and said, "I'll go and get the owner of this place, you wait right here." Then Daniel went to the office to go get his boss.

*****

I went to bed back in my summer home, hours after I applied for the job at the bar. And surprisingly I've got hired on the spot. The owner actually believed I had talent, and he hired me.

I smiled as I looked at the ceiling, not bad so far. Tomorrow night will be my first night on the job. I seriously can't wait to work there.

I was about to close my eyes when I realized that I was thirsty. My throat was feeling parched. I got up from my bed and went downstairs to get a glass of water.

I filled one of the glasses with water and took a long sip of it, quenching my thirst. I was done drinking and I was about to walk back upstairs when I realized I saw something outside. A big figure of some sorts was heading to the woods. I put my shoes on and went outside to investigate. What was that? It looked pretty big. Well whatever it was it's gone now. I was about to leave when I saw something on the ground.

I bent down to look closer and I realized what they were, it was an animal print. But not a paw print. A hoof print, like a horse just came here.

I tilted my head, horses? I don't think there are any wild horses in Washington. At least I don't think so.

I wonder where that horse came from?