The drive from Texas to Georgia was a long one, but I couldn't deny enjoying the solitude. Just me alone with my thoughts. I stopped at a cheap motel to sleep for the night then hit the road again first thing in the morning.

The past year had been a real bitch, holding down a job, studying, the swim team — not to mention the activities I engaged in after hours. Rooming with Cooper had turned into one big, fuckin' party. Not that I'm complaining. Half of the college experience was what took place after classes ended for the day. But the idea of beer bongs and hooking up with hot sorority girls had lost its novelty for me pretty early on. I mean, I enjoyed a good time just as much as the next guy, but there comes a point when guilty pleasures just don't cut it anymore. Not like they used to.

I don't know, maybe Cooper was right. Maybe what happened at the pool messed me up in the head. At least, that's what he accused after one of our recent keggers. He didn't understand why I turned down Jennifer Hogan, God's gift to the male species, and a long night of mind-blowing sex. Tanned shapely legs, perfect round breasts and limited morals. In other words, Cooper's dream girl. And that night, she only had eyes for me. The short, denim skirt and lacy black top she wore didn't leave much to the imagination, and sticking her tongue down my throat — and wherever else I would let her — had been her sole agenda.

But I just wasn't interested.

There'd been a time when I would have jumped at the chance to spend an evening with Jennifer and her many special ... talents. Only, I didn't feel that way anymore. I respected her, even if she had been begging me not to. My indifference toward her advances had pissed her off plenty. Jennifer Hogan wasn't the kind of girl a guy turned down. Ever. But she eventually got over it and moved on to her next victim, and all under Cooper's ever-watchful eye. He rode me hard about it for days. "Love 'em and leave 'em" — that was his motto, and he just couldn't wrap his brain around why it wasn't mine. Not that I didn't date. I dated plenty. But one night stands weren't my style.

The static on the radio interrupted my thoughts. Reaching over, I twisted the knob trying to find a new station and eventually just turned it off. The silence would do me good. Maybe I could get some things figured out before I arrived at my aunt and uncle's.

I wasn't exactly sure what I was walking into. Aunt Kathy and Uncle John never had any children, and the desire to hang out with them for the entire summer fell somewhere in between wanting a sport's injury and getting a root canal. I mean, they were good people. Hell, they were great people. After they found out I needed to get away for awhile they immediately offered me their spare room. And how many people would invite a fucked up college kid in for the summer? But they were just so straight-laced. Early to bed, early to rise. Church every Sunday. No drinking. No fun. It was all work and no play with them. Or at least, that was my perception. Who knows. Maybe the rigorous schedule of working at their friend's farm would be exactly what I needed to shake me from my rut. I know I sure as hell needed the money.

I pulled up to their Cape Cod just as the sun was starting to set, the purples and oranges taking over the sky. Aunt Kathy welcomed me with open arms. "Jake! Well, look at you. You're even more handsome than the last time we saw you."

"You're looking good too, Aunt Kathy."

I untangled myself from her embrace and stepped back to shake my uncle's hand.

"Good to see you, son," he said, a smile crinkling the corners of his hazel eyes. "How was your drive?"

"Long, but nice." I adjusted the large bag around my shoulder. "It felt good to be alone with my thoughts for a change. I don't get much of that at my apartment."

Uncle John chuckled. "I bet. I remember my college days. Not very peaceful at all."

"Here, Jake," Aunt Kathy said. "Let me take your bag. You must be exhausted."

"I've got it, it's pretty heavy. But if you want to show me to my room, I'll set it down in there."

Following Aunt Kathy through the house, I realized not much had changed since the last time I'd been there, probably ten years before. The decor was exactly the same. Attractive, but somewhat outdated. Familiar. Comfortable. The scent was the same, too. Like cinnamon rolls warming in the oven. There was a soothing quality to it. Maybe spending the next few months with them wouldn't be so bad after all.

I settled into my room then stretched out on the bed, folding my arms behind my head. I could have fallen right to sleep if I'd laid there long enough, but that would be rude. I only just arrived, I couldn't disappear under the covers already. My mama raised me to be more polite than that.

And speaking of Mama ...

I pulled my phone from my back pocket and scrolled to her number, then hit Call. Half a ring later, she answered.

"Jake, honey! Did you get there alright? How was your drive? You're not driving now, are you? Because if you are, you shouldn't be talking on the phone."

I let out a laugh. "I'm fine, Mom. I just got here about fifteen minutes ago. And the drive was nice. I really enjoyed it."

"That's good. I'm glad to hear it. Sometimes a little quiet is good for the soul." She paused. "How's your aunt and uncle? They seem okay?"

"They're great. Nothing's changed here. Everything's exactly the same as our last visit."

"Of course it is. My former sister-in-law never was one to keep up with trends. She's as frugal as the day is long." Mom let out a long sigh.

"No, it's nice. Really. It feels cozy. I like it."

"I'm glad." There was a smile in her voice. "They'll take real good care of you."

"I know they will," I said quietly. Because that's what families do. They take care of each other, even when you don't realize you need taken care of. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I made it here safe. I'd like to visit with them for awhile before I hit the sack. I'm pretty exhausted."

"I bet you are, honey. Yes, you visit with them and make sure to give them a hug from me. It's been way too long since I've seen them."

We said our goodbyes then ended our call to the sound of my stomach reminding me I hadn't yet eaten dinner. I slid off the bed and made my way into the front room. Aunt Kathy and Uncle John were sitting next to each other on the couch, holding hands. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, I averted my gaze.

Aunt Kathy stood up and engulfed me in another long hug. "Are you hungry? There's meatloaf and mashed potatoes in the fridge. I can warm you up a plate if you like."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "That'd be great. Thank you." I followed her into the kitchen and pulled out a chair, settling in at the table.

She grabbed a couple of containers from the refrigerator and a large round plate from the cabinet and heaped it full of food. Sliding it into the microwave, she pressed a few buttons and turned to me as my dinner began to warm. "So, how are you, Jake? Ready for your last year of school?"

I stifled a sigh and shrugged instead. "I'm ready. I've got my sights set on graduation and what I want to do after."

"You're studying engineering, right?"

I nodded. "Environmental."

Aunt Kathy smiled. The microwave dinged and she removed the hot plate and set it in front of me. Steam rose from the contents and swirled like a cloud, the delicious aroma tickling my nose.

"It's warm," she warned, setting a fork down in front of me.

I dove in, shoving a bite of potatoes in my mouth. Damn, I hadn't realized how hungry I'd been! "This is amazing. Thank you," I said stuffing in another forkful.

"Slow down, and make sure you chew it up careful!" She laughed. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. It'll be fun cooking for three this summer. There are some meals I've been dying to make but your uncle is too picky to try." Her smile widened and she took the seat next to me." Maybe you'll be brave enough?"

"Oh, I'm not picky at all. I'll eat whatever you put in front of me."

Aunt Kathy laughed again, the sound bouncing pleasantly off the walls of the kitchen. It reminded me of my dad, her little brother. "Now that's what I like to hear."

Even though she was older, I could see the resemblance. The same thick, dark hair and bright blue eyes. I shared those traits, too. I always knew I took after Dad's side of the family more than Mom's. Guess I just didn't realize how similar Dad and Kathy looked, even with years in between them.

I finished my dinner and set the fork gently on my plate. "Thanks again. I was starving."

Aunt Kathy didn't answer right away. Instead, she placed her hand on my arm and fixed her eyes on mine. "Your dad told me about what happened a few months back." She paused, as if she were searching for the right words to say. I took a deep breath and waited for her to continue. "He said you don't like to talk about it. That you change the subject every time it comes up. But I want you to know that if you ever need an ear, I'm here for you. I'm a real good listener."

My heart plunged to my stomach. The plan had been to escape what happened. Not have a mother figure trying to cure me from overwhelming guilt.

"He said you're different somehow."

I stared at Aunt Kathy and shrugged. "It's been a tough few months."

Her grip on my arm tightened. "Did you ever hear the story of little Caleb?" she asked, her voice turning quiet.

I shook my head.

"He was a little boy I used to babysit when I was a teenager. Cutest four-year-old on the planet," she said with a small smile. "One day, after I made him his lunch, I noticed his lips were turning blue. His little hands flew to his throat and that's when I realized he was choking."

The color drained from her face and I felt it drain from mine, too. I wasn't sure I wanted to hear where the story was going.

Aunt Kathy's eyes dropped from mine to the table. "I panicked. I was certified in CPR, but I'd never had to use it on a real person before. But Caleb kept struggling for air. And he was staring at me, waiting for me to save him."

I found myself leaning closer. "Did you?"

Her lips pressed together into a tight line. Finally, she nodded her head. "I did. I preformed the Heimlich maneuver until the bite dislodged, but for a while there I didn't think it would work. It was the scariest moment of my life."

And here I was just eating like a madman! I made a mental note to take my time from now on, no matter how hungry I felt. "So, Caleb ... " I began, "He was okay then?"

She exhaled slowly. "After staying in the hospital for a week with an injured trachea ... yes." Her eyes met mine. "But I never babysat again. Him, or anyone else. The incident just scared me so much. To be honest, I think that's why I never wanted to have children of my own."

Aunt Kathy pushed herself up from the chair and picked up my empty plate, dropping it off in the sink. She turned to face me, resting her back against the counter. "It's easy to let something like that change you. But I did the best I could to save him ... just like you did. No one would ever accuse you of not trying hard enough. You did everything in your power to keep that girl from drowning. Right?"

Hearing her say the words out loud raised the tiny hairs on the back of my neck. I nodded and stared at my folded hands on the table. I didn't want to look at her. I didn't want her to see just how awful I felt.

"Don't let it change you, Jake. Don't let it change you the way it changed me." She drew in a ragged breath. "Caleb may have survived, but I carried the guilt of what could have happened with me for years. Even though it made no sense. It molded the choices I made in my life. Maybe if it hadn't happened, I would have a family of my own. I'd always wanted to have kids. Maybe I'd even have grandchildren by now ... can you imagine that?" She laughed, but it sounded more sad than anything else.

I felt her walk up behind me and place her hands on my shoulders. "I just want you to know that I have an idea of what you're going through. And if you ever want to talk, I'm here. Okay?" Aunt Kathy gave me a comforting squeeze.

Turning toward her, I smiled. "Okay." I stood up from the chair and wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you," I whispered, not trusting my own voice. "For everything."

She held me tight and when she finally pulled away, her eyes bore deep into mine. "This is going to be a good summer for you, Jake. I can feel it."

Her expression looked so insistent, I couldn't help but smile. "I sure hope so. I'm counting on it."

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  Hello and thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed reading Jake's point-of-view. If you liked this bonus chapter, please leave a vote/comment — I'd love to hear your thoughts! XO