Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Rowen, Part 1

"Mo boyo!" My dad grabs me in a tight hug as soon as I step through the front door, causing me to drop my bag on the floor. He's never been shy with his affection for me.

He offered to pick me up at the airport but I got a rental car instead. Its always a hassle because of my age, but I like the idea of not being dependent on my parents for anything. Call it lingering insecurities from trying to be my own person for so long.

I pound him on the back a few times as we embrace. "Good to see you, Da."

"I missed you, mac," he says and kisses me on the cheek, pulling away as my mom comes racing over.

"Rowen! I'm so glad you're here. Take off that darn cap and give me a hug." She snatches my beanie off my head and throws it across the room, then wraps her arms around my waist and I hug her back tightly. My habit of covering up my hair always irritates my mother. I expect I won't see that beanie again until I head back to Houston in four days.