As I drove back home, my mind was consumed by thoughts of Ryan. The thought of his demise was like a heavy weight crushing my heart, making it hard to breathe. I couldn't stop thinking about him, about the good times we had shared, about the laughter, the adventures, the memories. Every mile I drove, every turn I took, every stoplight I waited at, my mind was flooded with images of Ryan's smile, his laugh, his bright eyes.
But as the miles flew by, I realized that going home alone was not what I needed right now. I needed to be around people who loved me, who could offer me comfort and support. I needed to be around my family.
So, I made a split-second decision to divert from my original route. Instead of heading home, I decided to make the long drive to my parents' house. It was a few hours away, but I knew it would be worth it.
As I drove, the scenery outside my window changed from city streets to rolling hills and eventually to countryside roads. The GPS led me through winding roads and picturesque towns, but my mind was still with Ryan.
I thought about how my parents would react when they saw me. They would be worried, of course, but they would also be supportive. They would listen to me, hug me, and tell me everything would be okay.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I saw the familiar sign that marked the entrance to my hometown. My heart swelled with emotion as I drove through the streets I had grown up in, passing by landmarks and memories that brought back a flood of emotions.
When I pulled up to my parents' house, they were waiting for me on the porch, concern etched on their faces. My mom rushed down the steps to hug me tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Gabriel, we're so glad you're here," she whispered. "We've been worried sick about you."
My dad put a hand on my shoulder, his eyes filled with compassion. "We're here for you, son. We'll get through this together."
In that moment, I knew I had made the right decision. I was exactly where I needed to be – surrounded by love, comfort, and support.
As we walked inside, my mom greeted me with a warm smile and said, "Gabriel, I'm so glad you're home. I've already prepared dinner, and it's your favorite - roast chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. I remember how much you loved it when you were a kid, and I thought it might bring a smile to your face today."
I didn't have much of an appetite, but the aroma of her cooking wafting from the kitchen was incredible. It was exactly what I needed right now - a taste of comfort and familiarity. My stomach growled in response, and I realized that maybe I was hungrier than I thought. The smell of roasted chicken and freshly baked bread filled the air, transporting me back to a time when life was simpler.
We all sat down at the dinner table, and my dad said, "Gabriel, we need to talk about what happened today. We got a call from your boss earlier, and he told us about Ryan's situation and that you were arrested. We were worried sick about you, son."
I took a deep breath, preparing myself to relive the events of the day. "Yeah, it was a crazy day," I began. "I was at the police station, and they thought I had something to do with Ryan's death. But it was all a misunderstanding. Stephanie, my ex-girlfriend, was the one who killed him."
My mom gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, Gabriel, that's terrible. We had no idea. Why would she do such a thing?"
I shook my head, still trying to process it all. "I don't know, Mom. She was always a little unstable, but I never thought she was capable of something like this."
My dad's expression turned serious. "We were worried sick about you, son. We didn't know what was going on or what had happened to you. Your boss told us that you were released from custody, but we didn't know what to expect when you got home."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief that I could finally talk to someone about what had happened. "I know, Dad. I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier. I just didn't know what to say or do. I was in shock, I guess."
My mom reached out and put her hand on mine. "We're just glad you're safe, Gabriel. That's all that matters. We'll get through this together, as a family."
My mom's expression turned beet red with anger as she began to vent about Stephanie. "That girl is a complete and utter monster!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with each word. "She's been obsessed with you since the day you proposed to her, and now she's gone and killed your best friend? It's absolutely unbelievable! How could she do such a thing?"
My dad tried to calm her down, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Now, honey, let's not jump to conclusions. We don't know all the facts yet."
But my mom was having none of it. She shook off his hand and continued her tirade. "No, no, no! This is all her fault. If she hadn't rejected Gabriel's proposal, none of this would have happened. She's been trying to get back at him ever since. She's been plotting and scheming, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."
I tried to interrupt, but my mom kept going, her words spilling out in a torrent of anger. "And it's not just her, it's all women these days. They're all the same, selfish and manipulative. They only care about one thing, and that's getting what they want, no matter who they hurt in the process. They're like vultures, circling overhead, waiting for the perfect moment to swoop in and destroy."
My dad looked uncomfortable, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Now, honey, that's not fair. Not all women are like that. You can't generalize an entire gender based on one person's actions."
But my mom wouldn't listen. She was too far gone, her anger and frustration boiling over. "Oh, don't be naive, dear. The system has ruined this generation of women. They're all about empowerment and independence, but really, they're just selfish and entitled. They don't care about anyone but themselves. They're like a plague, destroying everything in their path."
I felt a surge of discomfort at my mom's words. I knew she was upset, but blaming all women for Stephanie's actions wasn't fair. "Mom, that's not true," I said gently, trying to reason with her. "Stephanie is a unique case. She's been struggling with mental health issues for a long time. We can't blame all women for her actions."
"I'm sorry, I'm just lost in anger dear, I just can't watch that young lady destroy my son's happiness, I'm really sorry if I took things too far." Mom apologized, sincerity in her eyes.
"Let's go back to having dinner." Dad said, as the table turned silent.