Mine

Girl Meets New Friends

Mine

Girl Meets New Friends

"You were in college, working part-time, waiting tables

Left a small town, never looked back"

"Everything's okay, Dad ... yeah, we got here alright ... I know you didn't want to be away on assignment, it's okay ... yeah, Mom's taking lots and lots of pictures ... you'll feel like you actually were here ... fine, we can re-enact the whole thing when you get back ... Daddy! I was kidding!" Maya Hunter exclaimed as she tried to keep her balance while carrying a box in one hand and holding her phone in the other. Her mom Katy Hunter was walking right beside her – boxes in hand – and trying not to laugh too hard. Well, let's just say she wasn't really successful; at her daughter's exclamation, she couldn't hold it back any longer and almost tripped over her own feet. "See, what you did there, Dad? You almost made Mom trip ... No, she's fine ... she's fine! ... She is!" Maya let out an exasperated huff and held her phone out to her mother. "Please! Tell him you're fine," the younger blonde begged.

"I'm fine, honey." Katy giggled.

"You heard that? Good." Maya shook her head. "It's alright, Dad. I know you're just worried ... yeah, we miss you, too ... I've got to go, we almost reached my room." A warm smile spread across Maya's face. "I love you, too, Daddy. Can't wait for you to come home ... yeah, we'll talk later. And yes, Mom will send you all pictures immediately ... go to work, crazy man!" Maya giggled. "Okay, bye."

"How bad is he taking it?" Katy asked. "Missing your first day at college?"

"Not good at all," Maya admitted. "But it's not even my first day. I'm just moving in."

"Maya," Katy said and gave her daughter a look.

"Mom," Maya imitated her mother's tone. "You married a crazy man," she joked.

"I sure did." Katy grinned. "Luckily, his crazy fits ours perfectly."

"Ugh," Maya groaned. "But yeah. I guess that's why we love him so much."

"We sure do." Katy shook her head. "Who would have thought ..."

"What?"

"You."

"Me?"

"You turning into Daddy's little girl." Katy grinned. "I almost feel replaced. I always thought you were gonna be Mama's best friend forever."

"Hey, you're still my best friend!" Maya interjected. "Dad's just ..."

"Your dad." Katy smiled. "I'm just teasing, baby girl. You know how happy I am that you finally have a great father."

"You chose good, Mom," Maya said sincerely. "I think we should keep him around."

"Alrighty then." Katy giggled. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here, hold this for a moment." Katy placed all the boxes she was holding in Maya's hands, causing the girl to groan from the additional weight.

"Mom?"

"Smile, please." Maya glanced around the mountain of luggage she was currently carrying to find her mother holding up her phone in order to take a picture of her. "Say: We're fine, Daddy!" Maya burst out laughing and Katy quickly took a photo. "Or like that."

"We done?" Maya asked.

"Perfect. Thank you." Katy took hold of her share of the boxes once more and the two of them continued their search for Maya's dorm room.