It's been five years since I've been home. After I took the degree for policing, it seems only fitting I come home, even if only for a little. Home is after all, where the heart is. Family means alot to me.


My name is Drew Hathaway. I am coming to Edinburgh for a week to celebrate my graduation of the policing degree I've been taking for the last five years.  My car may not like me for making it take this long trip from Portland, but I am excited to get to seeing my mother again.


The radio starts filling with static as I cross Edinburgh's welcome sign. Driving at sixty miles on the highway, my old mustang still feels revitalizing to drive. A certain young feel to it. I plug my phone into the car audio system and dial my mother.


"Hello?" I can the familiar tone of my mother on the other end of the air.


"Hey mom, I just hit city limits." I say.


"Oh good. I think the chowder is ready too." She replies.


"Oh, what happened to the radio here by the way?" I ask.


"Sweety we haven't had a radio station in a couple of years." She answers.


"Fair. I thought it was odd." I sit for a moment. "I can't believe it's been five years." I add.


"It'll be good to have you home." Mom says.


"It's gonna be weird without dad." I admit.


"I know. It wasn't easy to get used to for me either." She says. "Either way, I'll let you go, the door is unlocked for you." She adds.


"Thanks." I reply.


The buzz of the line being empty fills my car. I wonder what's new here? I mean, five years is a lot of time for things to change. I start scanning the road as I drive, looking for new things in this town.


There is a new theater where I can see a bunch of Edin High students gathered up, looking like a mattanee show is about to start. Edinburgh is one of them places where almost everyone knows eachothers business. So the school mates must be waiting for a movie release.


Finally after breaking through the towns core, I can see the residential area where my mother lives. What a relief. Driving for almost a full day can be exhausting.


I pull into the driveway of my mother's home. The pale blue siding greets me, the deep brown door overlooking the front yard. A pair of windows on the front, at ground level.


Taking in the sight of this place has me in a fit of memories. My father and I would play catch in the front yeard in the summer. In the winter, he would freeze the front yard and turn it into a skating rink. He taught me a lot about making the most out of what you have in life.


I get out of my mustang, the temperature outside being cooler. This is a reason why I regret buying my mustang in black. The heat builds inside of the car very quickly.


I can smell a sweet ting in the air. Mom's been baking, I guess. I approach the white porch to knock on the deep brown door. Pieces of brown paint cling to my hand. The door swings open, into the house.


"Hey mom." I say softly.


She doesn't give me a vocal reply. She merely grabs onto me and squeezes. It's almost enough to take the breath from my chest.


"Missed you too." I say, trying not to cough out the words.


"It's just been so long." Mom says to me.


Her hair is golden blonde, whites are starting to spread throughout it. She has aged well, considering she is almost sixty now. Her blue eyes tell of the hard times she's seen while I was away from home.


"I know. I'm sorry I didn't make it to dad's funeral, it was exams." I say with a sigh.


"He'd understand. You were going for your dreams, Drew." She says.


Behind me I get the jolt through me of a car doors slam. I turn to face the source of the sound. A six foot man in a military uniform comes up the driveway.


"Well, the youngest Hathaway has found a way home." The military man says.


"That I have. And you are?" I ask.


"Staff Seargant Cooper. Martin Edinburgh has asked to have the travel of the town be monitored." He replies.


"That explains a bit." I say.


"Welcome home, Drew." Cooper replies.


"Cooper, wait a hot minute." I say. "Aaron Cooper?" I laugh. "Yhey managed to stuff you in a uniform?" I add.


"Yeah, I didn't think I would be here five years back either. A lot has happened since you left.


"Then maybe we can all catch up over some chowder?" My mom pipes up, inviting Aaron Cooper into her home.


"That'd be mighty lovely miss Hathaway." He nods.


We all enter into the house one by one. The beige walls greet me, a family photo of myself, mom and dad hangs on the entryway wall. I supposed that is one way to make sure my dad is never forgotten. Either that or my mom is still having trouble letting go.


"So, I hate to pry, but what happened to Mr. Hathaway?" Aaron asks us.


"The police said it was an accident caused by a heart attack." My mom speaks up.


We take our shoes off at the door and walk our way through the living room into the dining room. The captains chair, where my father once sat, stares me down. I feel uneasy being home and dad not ever coming back. I try to not think about him, but reminders are everywhere.


"Wasn't he good friends with Martin Edinburgh?" Aaron asks.


"They went hunting a couple times." I say. "Why?" I ask.


"Military intelligence suggests he may have had information about Edinburgh that would serve the military as a whole." Aaron explains.


"He did have a bunch of folders. I have to find the key, but they are in a cabinet in the shed." Mom says.


"I'll ask to arrange a day to sort through them, if that's alright, miss Hathaway." Aaron checks with my mom.


"Of course. Now, take a seat boys and I'll be back with that chowder." Mom says.


"So that leaves you Drew, how you been?" Aaron asks.


"Well, dad died when I was finishing up exams, so aside from graduation, I been kinda down. Dad meant a lot to me, you know?" I say.


"Then maybe you'll hear me out. Come to my place on Hampton Street and I'll explain the idea I have." Aaron says.


"Explain what?" I ask.


"We were onto something big." He replies.


"Big how?" I ask.


"Big like, Edinburghs existence big." He smirks. "Think of it as the case of a lifetime." He adds.


"Fine, I'll meet you tomorrow. You off tomorrow?" I ask.


"Yeah, I will be off for the next week. That's why I am excited I caught you travelling into town." He smiles.


"I have two weeks here, I figure." I say.


"What's the plan after that?" Aaron asks me.


"Not sure. May see if there's work around." I say.


"It would be nice if you talked to the local department." My mom says as she comes to place the full bowls before us.


The aroma of chicken and vegetables fill the air quickly. Mom's home cooking just can't be beat. Aaron even looks like he's ready to face dive into his bowl.


"Why don't we just relax and enjoy the meal? You've been on the road all day." My mom speaks up.


"It would give us some time to catch up, Drew." Aaron says.


"Agreed. Perhaps we can hit up Kook's?" I laugh.


"A night at the bar. Now there's something I haven't done in ages." Aaron replies.


"Then it's a plan." I say.


My mother laughs. I suppose this reminds her of my days just before college. Who knows. I just am thankful to see her smiling.


The rest of the evening goes well. We crack open some wine, eat our chowder and even play a round of scrabble. I couldn't ask for any better. Aaron looks to the clock.


"I suppose we better get going." He says to me.


"Yeah, I'll kick your ass at pool." I say laughing.


"Well, it sounds like you boys have the night planned. I'll leave the door unlocked for you Drew." Mom says.


"Thanks mom."I say.


Aaron and I help clean up from our visit. The dishes and board game get put away. It's then we head for the door.