Finding Seventeen (On Hold)

Memory Lane

The visit with my brother was a good reunion. We talked and laughed. We talked a lot about my time living in New Orleans. He'd only been out to visit me there a handful of times, mostly during those first two years when I was working, and saving up for college. I always thought he was coming to make sure I could handle living in the big city. He wanted to make sure I was okay. The last time he'd visited, I'd finally saved up enough money along with financial aide to enrol myself in the University of New Orleans. I moved onto campus. I had a boyfriend, the kind that you have in college. The kind that you never get serious with. I finally felt like my life  was moving on. I think Ryder knew that.

After Ryder's last visit to New Orleans, we grew even farther apart. I started my life away from everything and everyone I once knew. I was on my own, and I had to learn to make it on my own, and that is just what I did.

So reuniting with my brother was a big deal. I was no longer on my own. I had my brother back. I had a family again. It was going to take some getting used to.

After leaving my brother, Jodie suggested on heading home, but I had other ideas.

"Jules, are you sure you can get home on your own?" I smiled, "You forget where I've lived the last ten years. I think that I can handle Long Beach."

"Right. I wasn't even thinking." She hugged me.

"I'll see you later, do you want me to make you lunch before I go to sleep?"

"Oh no, you go home and get some sleep. I'm going to grab some lunch while I'm out. I'll pick up Phoenix on my way home." When she heard these words, it was as if something had been lifted off her shoulders.

Normally, Jodie would have to wake up early pick up Phoenix, spend a few hours with him, and then take him to the neighbours for the night. Today would be the first time in a long time that she would not have to do that. She had me now, and I was going to be there for her.

To be there for someone had long sense past,I wasn't really sure what that meant any more. When your a teenager, being there for someone means something totally different than when your adult. Dallas, and I had always been there for each other growing up. Until Dallas got sick, being there meant covering for one another, when we'd sneak out to meet boys. It meant swapping homework before first period, because we'd stayed out all night.

Now it was going to mean picking up Phoenix from school, cleaning house, and going grocery shopping. I had never lived that kind of life. When I lived in New Orleans, I ate out most nights. A house cleaner came in once a week, and twice a week and frequent the night clubs.

So much crossed my mind as I watched Jodie get into her car and drive away.

I walked to the edge of the street, and looked both ways. There were cars driving, but no taxi cars, no trolleys. I had forgot what it was like to live in a world without public transportation. I was kind of starting to regret thinking that I might be able to make it on my own in this town.

I strolled for a few blocks in the direction of my destination. I was relieved when I saw a bus stop ahead. Public transportation, thank goodness.

I learned very quickly that this transportation wasn't like the transportation in New Orleans, where a bus comes every few minutes. I sat for twenty minutes waiting for a single bus to come. The bus ride was short.

In retrospect, as long as I wait for the bus, I probably could have walked to my destination.

After exiting the bus, I stood in front of a diner I'd spent so much time in during my teenage years. I thought when I entered, that I would feel a blast from the past, but I was wrong. They had remodelled everything. It still had diner feel, but it was no long that run down diner I once knew.