Talk with the family.

I walked into the house and immediately recognized that smell. You know how each house has a distinct smell when you entered it? Yeah, that was how it was like for me. Apparently, mom cooked a giant dinner to celebrate my homecoming. Knowing mom, she probably cooked enough to feed a family of ten. I knew I was going to eat leftovers tomorrow. The smell of steak and chicken was unmistakable.

Everyone helped to carry things into my old room. The room was left just like how it was when I left for California. I told everyone that I'll unpack later. "I'm starved! Let's eat." I exclaimed. Everyone agreed and we dropped the suitcases and went to the dining table. Emma set the table while mom and dad brought the food. I loved the food and spent at least an hour trying to digest as much as I could. When you were a broke college student in California and ate cup noodles for dinner, these type of meals seemed like a luxury.

The family asked me questions about my time in Cali. They would ask about how I did in school. I told them I just graduated and would be seeking a job later on. Dad filled me up on what was happening in the family when I was gone. Emma just graduated from NYU and decided to become a nurse. I congratulated Emma and told her I was proud of her. She smiled at me and asked me about I plan to work as. I told her I didn't know since I was stuck between becoming an engineer or a marine biologist. These types of conversation was the type I missed during my time on the other side of the country.

I noticed that no one was willing to talk about the current issue regarding the woman living just a few house down. They seemed uneasy when they asked if I am seeing anyone right now. I shook my head and told them about a failed relationship during college. Turns out my girlfriend was a huge slut and boned about half of the graduating class. They all immediately looked down at their food when I mentioned it. I knew that they were thinking about the neighbor.

"So, Emma's wedding." I said, changing the subject. The conversation suddenly grew hearty as everyone talked about Emma and her fiancé. Dad and I approved of the marriage since the person marrying Emma was my best friend, Harry. "Lucky son of a bitch." I told him when he called me at 6 in the morning in California. He was obviously excited and talked about how he proposed and Emma said 'Yes!'.

"If you ever treated her badly, I will personally come to your house and cut off your balls." I told him. It was met with a chuckle and he replied, "Don't worry. I won't do such things." Then he dropped a bombshell on me.

"Hey Jake. Want to be my best man?" Harry asked.

My initial reaction was to say yes but then I remembered that they are back at New York. Harry sensed my hesitation but was ****, "C'mon. I know that you're not ready to reconnect with Sarah...but as bros, we always got each other's backs. I know that your family wants to meet you. They missed you a lot when you just decided to buy a last minute plane ticket to California." I reluctantly agreed and ordered a plane ticket to New York in a month.

Dinner time started to wind down and everyone started to yawn. It is amazing that a full stomach can knock someone out cold. I suggested that I clean the dishes but was met by an adamant and astounding 'NO!' from mom. I went to the den and started to watch some basketball game going on. Emma came over and plopped down next to me. She watched the game until the end of regulation and everyone went to bed.