Chapter 3: Homecoming
After Ricco lets me go I comment under my breath. “Ouch!” “Jaycee are you hurt?” he asked as he looks me over. “What did that bastard do to you?” my brother asked me. “He beat me after coming home from a gala opening just because I was speaking to another man. But it is ok for him to work late with God knows who. She’s probably some blond that is prettier than I am.” I say this grabbing my luggage and heading for the stairs. “My rooms the same?” I call out to him over my shoulder.” “Yeah baby sis.” He calls back. I go up to my room knowing that it has been upgraded to fit my age of 22. I unpack my clothes, toiletries’, books, laptop, chargers and alarm clock putting them away in the appropriate places. As I finish up there is a knock on the door.
“Knock-knock”
“Come In.” ‘
“Hey sis, long time no see. Are you here to visit or to stay? Where is Bradley?”
“I am here to stay, he didn’t come with me, Garrett.”
“Did you finally leave the asshole?”
“I did. Got tired of getting my ass kicked and handed to me.”
“I’m sorry sis, why didn’t you leave sooner?”
I didn’t know how, but I had help without it I would still be there.”
“Oh Jay! Well, I came up to let you know dinner is ready.”
“I didn’t know that you guys could cook?”
“No, we can’t, but Camella is here, and she cooked for us. Ricardo told her about you coming home and she wanted to cook you a homemade meal.”
“Oh, really I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Come on then, time is wasting.” I followed behind Garrett, He is the second oldest out of all of us. I get down the stairs and am met by a beautiful dirty blond hair woman.
“Hi, you must be Jaycee, I’m Carmella Carmichael Ricardo’s fiancé.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you Carmella. I hope that my brother is treating you right. If not let me know and I would kick his ass.” I say as I take a fighters stance. I dropped my arms to my side and followed her into the kitchen. As I step into the kitchen, my eyes land on the dining table, and I can't help but pause for a moment, warmth blooming in my chest. The table is dressed in a soft linen cloth the color of pale honey, its edges embroidered with delicate blue flowers. At the center sits a vase bursting with wildflowers—daisies, cornflowers, and sprays of goldenrod—freshly picked, their stems tied with a simple ribbon that matches the napkins folded like little fans beside each plate. The boys must have told her what my favorite flowers were.
The plates themselves are mismatched but lovely, each one holding a tiny place card, my name written in Camella’s loopy handwriting at the head of the table. Tall white candles flicker in glass holders, casting gentle shadows that dance across bowls overflowing with salads and roasted vegetables. The whole scene feels like a celebration—unexpected and intimate—a homecoming made real not by grandeur, but by care and the unmistakable sense of welcome that lingers in the air. Before I can take another step, a burst of laughter erupts from the living room. Stephan, the youngest of the three brothers, pokes his head around the corner, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. “Jaycee! About time you got here. We were starting to think you got lost in the hallway,” he teases, his eyes dancing with mirth.
I roll my eyes, unable to suppress a smile. “Please, Stevie, like you’ve ever managed to find anything in this house except trouble.” Ricco, Ricardo’s best friend since childhood, strolls in behind Stephan, tossing a set of car keys into the air and catching them with a casual flick of his wrist. “She’s got you there, Steph,” Ricco says, his voice warm and familiar. “Jaycee always did have the best sense of direction—especially when it came to sneaking out for midnight snacks.” Stephan clutches his chest, feigning outrage. “Betrayed by my own family! And you, Ricco? You’re supposed to be on my side.” Ricco laughs, clapping a hand on Stephan’s shoulder. “Sorry, man. Tonight, I’m on Team Jaycee. Besides, anyone who brings Carmella’s cooking into this house deserves all the praise.”
Garrett chuckles from behind me. “All right, you three, enough with the dramatics. Jaycee, come sit by the window. Carmella made extra mashed potatoes just for you.” I shake my head, feeling the warmth of homecoming settle into my bones. “You all are ridiculous,” I say, grinning as I take my seat, “but I wouldn’t trade you for anything.” The chatter continues as dishes are passed around, laughter echoing under the soft glow of the kitchen lights. For the first time in a long while, the house feels full—of love, of memories, and of the promise of new beginnings. I am so happy that I made the choice to leave Bradley and come home. “Finally, home, finally free.” I say under my breath, but as it turns out Stephan was the only one that could hear my breathless whisper. He looks over to me with a sad smile on his face with eyebrows as if to say we will talk later.
“We’re all going out tonight, tonight we celebrate Jaycee coming home and getting rid of the bastard for good.” My brother Ricardo states to everyone sitting around the table.
“Who else will be there?” Ricco asked.
“Carlos, Sebatian and Xzavier.” Ricardo answers him.
“Oh, I haven’t seen them since they came to my high school graduation.” I said excited to see them again. “Let me get ready and I will meet you down here.”
“Ricardo is going to leave soon, and your other brothers has to pick up their girlfriends Karmen and Brenda Sue, so I will be taking you with me.” Ricco said happily.
We enter the bar Ricco in a band tee-shirt and lather jacket with black pants and cowboy boots. I am dressed in a black silk crop top and black mini shirt with ankle boots. I walk up to the counter to greet the others.
“Carmella is the manager, but I own this place so anything you Garcias order is on the house.”
“Aw.” Ricco says looking dejected.
I walk up to the other end of the counter and standing there waiting for the bartender to notice me standing there while he polished the glasses and then puts them into the freezer for them to get their frosty look. Ricco comes to my side and stands with his hands inside of his pockets.
“Hey Derrick, can we get a c couple of drinks over here!” He calls out to the bartender. The bartender stops what he is doing and walks over, one look at Jaycee and his strides become hurried and longer.
“What can I get for you beautiful?”
“A Cosmo, please.”
“Sure, thing hot stuff., and you?”
“Just a beer, whatever you have on tap is fine.”
“Coming right up.” He says as he goes back to where the bottles of liquor is, first he grabs one of the frosted mugs out of the freezer, than he pours beer from the tap into it.
