Chapter 3

3 Eight years have passed and I still can’t forget that day.

I sat up in bed and checked my phone. It was only 4:00 AM.

"Mom, Dad?" I whispered to the empty room.

Just like every morning, no response.

My head dropped.

For eight years… they hadn’t come to see me once.

In my dreams, Ray was smirking, looking at me with his mocking eyes. “Got any self-respect, Izzy?”

And every time I yelled, “Yeah, I do!” I’d wake up.

Unable to sleep, I got up and started cleaning.

After the funeral, I'd left that place.

I found a new city, got a job, went back to school.

Working and studying at the same time was tough.

But I couldn’t let myself slow down, because I knew that if I did, I’d start crying.

I'd seen a therapist. She said I was struggling with depression and needed someone to help me move on from that day.

But there was no one.

After eight years, I was yearning to go back, see the river where my folks jumped.

To jump in myself, maybe ask why they were so heartless.

I was so damn tired…

Since I was going back, I figured I could handle seeing some of those old classmates.

So when the class president asked if I was going to the reunion, I was the first to say yes.

I hadn't posted anything in the group chat for eight years.

All the other classmates were cut from my social media.

Ray included.

I caught the first train. I felt lighter than I had in eight years.

I was looking at the scenery when I noticed a young couple sitting next to me.

"You know, it was tough to date him. So many girls were after him, but I kept trying and now I'm taking him to see my parents!" the girl said, giggling.

"You look happy too, are you heading home too?" she asked me. "I feel like the air is so much sweeter when I am about to see my folks."

I fell silent. Then forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm going home."

"Going home... to see my folks.”

I muttered those words, barely audible, but it felt good.

I was about to see Mom and Dad, soon.

I was humming all the way.

When I got off the train, I went straight to the venue the class president had booked.