Aaron Final

Alice had visions of standing on the porch, looking the part of a gracious home owner as Aaron came to celebrate his twenty-first birthday. All that went out the window when his car pulled into the driveway. With a heart filled with excitement she ran down the steps, down the walkway and grabbed Aaron as he barely made it out of the town car.

“You’re home, oh my God, you’re here.” She hugged him with all of her might, letting the tears run down her face, unconcerned for what they were doing to her make up.

“Yes Mom, I’m here”, hugging her just as hard. Their reunion spoke of distances apart that the many phone calls couldn’t cure. Time was a testament, and this was its climax, the ultimate cure. He, happy to be in the presence of his peace, holding on to something that meant more to him than life itself. She, grateful to the stars above, happiness beyond happiness, joyfulness overflowing onto the pavement. They tried to speak but it came out a blubbering mess, their words losing meaning to what their embrace conveyed.

It wasn’t until they heard a throat clearing that they stopped to look around. The driver stood nearby, looking away, exposing one misted eye. Geena, Alice’s maid stood next to him, wiping away a tear her cynicism couldn’t stop.

“Your bags are inside” she said.

“Oh, right” said Aaron, freeing himself from Alice and reached into his pocket.

“For you” he said to the driver. “When I need you again I’ll call. Thank you for the ride.”

The driver finally turned to Aaron, accepted his tip with widened eyes, and said “Thank you sir. Anytime.” He retreated to the driver’s side as Geena asked “Shall we go inside?”

“Yes, of course” said Alice, wiping away her own tears. But she caught sight of him again and couldn’t resist embracing him again. Aaron accepted it fondly, not caring that they were a sight for the neighborhood.

“Ok, enough,” said Alice. “Let’s go in. I have a surprise for you.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the house, with Geena following them. Once inside she led him to the living room, “Happy Birthday!” she shouted.

Aaron beamed at the display, taking it all in, relishing each balloon and running his hands through the streamers. The pinnacle was the cake, which had a younger image of himself air brushed on it. He turned to Alice and lacking the words, embraced her again, feeling the warmth of homecoming.

“Thanks Mom” he said. “I love this.”

“I’m so glad” said Alice. “I didn’t know if the balloons were too much or the streamers. What about the banner?”

“Mom, everything’s perfect. That picture of me over the fireplace though…”

“Well, I had that baby picture and thought it’d be a nice touch.”

Aaron laughed. “It’s perfect.” He looked around and said “Why don’t you show me around the house.”

“Oh yes” said Alice. “First here’s the living room. Look at the size of that window. I had to get special drapes for it, but they look good and not bunchy.” “They do indeed.”

She grabbed his hand and led him to the kitchen. “My kitchen, with the perfect island right in the middle. This over here is the breakfast nook, that’s where I eat most of my meals. Do you like the curtains? Took me forever to find the right ones. And see, right out back is the pool.” “Nice big one”, said Aaron. “Even I could fit.”

“Now over here is the dining room. I have friends over, my book club, although we spend more time drinking wine than talking about the book. And do you see how the drapes contrast with the walls?” “I see, very nice.”

“Ooh, now come over here to the den. Look at that TV. It’s like being in a movie theater.” “That is a big TV. And look at that couch! It’s big enough for a horde of people.”

“Now over here, the laundry room. It doesn’t have a window so I couldn’t get drapes for it.” “I’m just glad there’s a washer and dryer.”

“And come on, let me show you my bedroom. It’s so big and I have my own bathroom. And just look at those drapes.” “I’m beginning to think you have a thing for drapes.”

“And now the last room.” She led him to a door and opened it to a pretty expansive room. Not as big as the master bedroom, but close. “This is your room” she said. “You are coming home?”

Aaron gave her a serious look. Alice held her breath, hoping that his seriousness wasn’t too serious. Then he laughed.

“Yes Mom, I’m coming home.” Before Aaron could continue Alice had shrieked and grabbed him again, jumping up and down in exuberance.

“Wait, Mom, wait. I have to tell you something.”

“What? Don’t you play with me.”

“No Mom, I’m not playing. I have to go to college, so while I’m home, I’m also going to school.”

“Why?” She asked. “You’re already the head of that TV network. What do you need school for?”

“I need a BA in business. It’s sort of a requirement for my position. A year or two at the nearest community college will take care of that.” Alice was about to speak but Aaron cut her short. “No, I don’t need to go to Harvard or anything like that. After all, I’m already ahead. And the board will like it or else. I’m the man, and they’ll just have to suck it up.”

“That’s my baby. Yeah, you the man.”

“Now that that’s settled, I need to talk to you about something else. Can we have some cake while we talk?”

“Of course.” She turned to call down the hall. “Geena? Can you cut us some cake please?”

“Of course ma’am” came the reply.

They settled in the breakfast nook. Alice gave Geena the rest of the day off, and while enjoying their cake, Aaron explained to Alice about how he was haunted since the day of his birth. He explained where all of the money came from, who it was that haunted him, and why he did the things he did, including giving up all of those scholarships.

Then he explained the hard part, about how it was him that killed his father. He left nothing out, how he planned it, how he made sure the toy would go through his eye. He spoke reverently, but it was still hard, explaining to his mother how he willfully committed murder. When he was done he could no longer look her in the eye. He felt ashamed and nervous, knowing this was an impossible story, hoping that his mother wouldn’t think less of him.

Alice listened, asking questions here and there, and now sat back in her chair, taking it all in. She saw Aaron in a new light, one she didn’t quite know what to make of. “Eat your cake” she said, which he did dutifully. Although by now it probably tasted as dull to him as it did to her. She knew her son, but this story was a lot to take in. She considered what to do, taking time to consider his life, their life, and whether she actually knew him.

After the cake was done, and another fifteen minutes after that, she came to several conclusions:

He has never lied to her, so she believes him, especially the part where he got rid of that spirit.

He didn’t kill his father, that spirit did.

He is worth more than all the money he has.

He is her son.

He is home.

She stood up and stepped closer to Aaron. She took his hands in hers, pulling him to his feet. She placed her fingers under his chin, raising it so that he could look at her. She smiled. She saw the hopeful look in his gaze, and said “We should watch a movie, just like we used to. I’ll bring more cake. It’ll be fun.”

Aaron’s eyes began to tear up. “I’d like that” he said. They embraced once again. And true to her word, they took the cake into the den and watched several movies, snuggled up like they used to, well into the night.