Love Me Back Read Online Free PDF Page A

it in the lock and open the door unable to believe my eyes.
    “Wow” Ian says behind me.
    I am speechless.  The house has been completely remodeled from the ceiling to the floors.  All of our furniture has been replaced with new modern furniture.  The light oak tables are now glass.  Our plaid couch is now a soft gray sofa with yellow arm chairs on the other side.
    “Go” Ian pushes me into the house.  “It’s like 103 degrees out here.”
    I fumble in the house and drop my bags by the door.  I walk around this house that I don’t know.  I love my mom for doing it.  It helps keep the bad memories at bay but I assure myself it wasn’t done for my benefit.  I wonder where she got the money for this.  Being in the designing world I know these pieces cost a small fortune.  Not something an office assistant can afford.
    “Your house is beautiful.”  Ian says shutting the front door looking around the house, I assume for a vent to cool down.  It’s hard to believe Wisconsin summers can get so hot.
    “This isn’t my house.”  I flatly say.  “Not the one I grew up in.”
    “I see where you get your style.”  He says.
    “I can assure you this is not my mother, she must have hired someone.  She has always been partial to a country theme.”  I respond still in awe over the house.  Every aspect has been redone.  Even the pictures from when Jack and I were little have been reframed into modern holdings.
    “Whoever did it, it’s really nice.”  He says.
    I put Ian in Jack’s old room, which has actually stayed close to the same.  His football trophies line the bookshelves with ribbons hanging below.  The only difference I notice is the twin size bed has been replaced with a queen.  I am surprised the bedding has been washed and ready for Ian.  I assumed I would be taking care of that when I got here.  We drag his bags up there and I show him the Jack and Jill bathroom we will share.
    I am happy to see my room has been redone.  My daybed is gone replaced by a queen as well.  The walls went from purple to a lighter blue with a circled design bedspread.  All my furniture is gone with white furniture now in its place.  I throw myself on the bed closing my eyes.  Even with all new furniture when I close my eyes I feel the fear.  My nostrils fill with the smell and I am warped back to that night.  I open them quickly not wanting to remember.
    Peeking in on Ian, I see him unpacking so I head downstairs.  The kitchen is remodeled as well with the most up to date stainless steel appliances.  The nice black bar top table sits in the corner with a bowl full of fruit in it.  If there weren’t pictures of Jack and I on the walls I would think I was in someone else’s house.  I open the fridge for a bottle of water and it is filled with food so I open the freezer, the same full of food.  I don’t know who is responsible for all this but I wish they could have been around when I was younger.
    Just as I grab a bottle of water I hear the door open.
    “Maddy” she yells.  “I assume that’s your blue car in the driveway.”
    I walk out to the foyer and I am struck again.  My mom is wearing a navy blue pants suit and heels.  Her chestnut brown hair is cut short and chic.  Her make-up is subtle and complimentary.  She looks beautiful just like the house. 
    “Yeah I will go ahead and move it right now.”  I walk over to get the keys from my purse.
    “That’s ok, I just parked behind it.”  She says.
    Ok who is she and where is my mom? 
    “Um…Ok” I hesitate.  Before I can think to give her a hug or not she is embracing me.
    “It’s so good to see you Maddy.  I missed you so much.”  Her hug is tight.  I don’t respond.  I have never hugged my mom like this before.
    “Hi Mom.”  Is all I can say?  She pulls back grabbing my hands looking at me.  I see the anguish in her eyes.  Another reason I have stayed away.  I don’t want sympathy either.
    “You are