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Before he did so stupid like drive away, Matt opened the door and stepped out Just as his parents made it to the porch, he called out, “Mom! Dad!”

His mom whipped around in his direction His dad’sand turned HisKnew she was crying because he hadn’t seen them in years

Not knohat else to do, he shrugged and stepped around the car “Surprise”

That hen hisfor hiht her as she hugged him and cried into his neck

Guilt and regret made a lethal cocktail inside of him as he held histhem

“You’re here I can’t believe you’re here,” she said softly against his skin as his dad smiled at him

He let her down and she turned toward the house “Rusty, Matt is here!” She opened her arain

“I think he can see that, Ma Can you see ht

“Where is he, Jolene? I can’t see him!” he called back and his mom pulled away and swatted Matt’s arm

“That’s enough, you two”

“Hey” He rubbed where she hit, pretending it hurt “Why’d you hit me? He said it”

“You started it Why didn’t you tell us you were co him toward the house Matt hit the lock button on the key fob just as they made it to his dad

“It was a last-ured it would be a nice surprise”

“Nice? It’s the best surprise” She gave his arm one more squeeze