Across the Maps

Chapter 36

I stay silent, watching as the world flies past me; the swaying trees with colorful leaves, the old cracked sidewalks where grass weaves its way out through it, the large dark brick buildings with large glass windows that you can peek in, the laughter of teenage girls as they chat, the uneven road that we drive on.

I sigh, realizing that it's over, that all of our fun late nights partying...finished, done, gone. I'm happy to be home, and I will never forget the amazing journey that we have ventured on. My mind replays all of the good times we've had, and a single tear drop rolls down my cheek. Slowly, I dab it away with my hand before anyone notices.

We pull up into the long winding road, slowing as we drive up the hill. We pass the small creek, and I chuckle almost inaudibly. This is where it all began. This is where the roller coaster of my life began, treading me up slowly and then violently plunging me down. All the feelings and emotions rush into my mind, tearing me down in strength. I feel the oxygen get depleted from my lungs, and I gasp for breath. But slowly, I begin to breath, my breaths ragged and raspy.

I turn my head down and avert my eyes to the gray floorboard. I put my head in my hands, suddenly not able to bear the weight of it. We are home. We are really home.

Mom pulls into the enormous dull garage, slowly coming to a stop only inches away from the cement wall. "We're home," she exclaims.

I know, I want to shout at the top of my lungs, but instead I merely just nod my head in acknowledgement.

Cole and I trample out of the car, grab our luggage, and shuffle into the house. We are greeted by Dad, Paisley, and Hallie standing in the living room. They all wear smiles as they gaze at us.

Mom and Dad hug while I set my suitcase down on the carpeted floor. I hug Paisley and Hallie, who actually seems to be happy I'm home. Dad waltzes over and gives me so tight of a hug, I think I start suffocating.

"Dad, can't breath," I gasp for air, and he chuckles, letting me go.

"Nice to see you sweetie," he smiles, kissing me on top of my head gently.

"You too," I reply, a slight smile covering my face.

We spend some time gathered in the living room, chatting. Mom and Dad in the two recliners, Hallie and Paisley lying on the couch, their legs overlapping each other's, and Cole and I sitting on the carpeted floor, our backs against the couch.

"So how was everything?" Paisley questions in her sweet gentle voice.

"Yeah, yeah! Tell us everything," Hallie yells rambunctiously, and we all start laughing.

"Well," I pause, and then start to explain everything. The bright lights, the huge hotels with great service, the amazing architecture, the beautiful fountains, the fast freeways that we drove on, everything. After I finish speaking, everyone smiles, imagining it for themselves.

"That sounds incredible," Paisley exclaims, enthralled.

"It was," I smile sadly, recalling it all. The amazing smells and beautiful scenes.

After we finish talking, it's late, and I decide to go and unpack. I tread to my room, which seems so vacant, even though it's crammed full with furniture. I set my suitcase on my bed and start unpacking. I neatly place stuff back in my dresser, hang clothes back up, and toss them in my hamper if they're dirty.

When I'm finished, I shove my suitcase under my bed, change into pajamas, brush my teeth, put my hair in a messy bun, and get into bed. My bed! It's so warm and comfy. Most of all...it smells like home. Slowly, I drift off to sleep, my mind thrifting through my amazing journey, a journey that will always be with me. A journey that I will never be forget. A journey that I will cherish forever.

****

I wake up and drowsily raise my head slowly. Blinking a few times, I check the time. My small blue rectangular clock on my bedside table reads five twenty. I get up and shuffle to my dresser, the floor creaking slightly as I walk.

Swiftly and quietly, I change into short jean shorts and a white shirt that has the letters twenty four decorating the front. I slip on some white converse with orange outlining and scurry to my desk, grabbing a sharpened pencil and my folder of stories. I walk down the hallways, trying not to wake anyone. But when I get pass through the kitchen, I see Dad. He's sitting at the table drinking coffee and examining a large hardback book. His hair is muddled and his forehead is creased in concentration as he flips through the ruff antique pages.

"Where are you going?" He peeks his head up at me curiously.

"To the creek," I explain, and he nods. I smile, sneak outside, and walk to the creek, the wind blowing on my face and cheeks.

When I get there, a faint smile slinks its way onto my face. I sit down against the large oak tree, resting my back on it. I take out my old story, the one I could never finish and sigh. Even when we were gone, I tried to work on it. I tried constantly, thinking until I thought my head would explode into several pieces. I let out a frustrated sigh. I sit there scanning through it, and try to come up with an ending. Anything, I beg. Anything. Just let me finish it. But still...nothing comes to me. Finally frustrated so much my fists and teeth are clinched, I pull out my other papers.

The ones I've been writing on the trip. As I scan through them, more emotion comes to me, and then I feel water dampening my face. When did I start crying? I turn each page with such a delicately, afraid I'm going to rip or tear it.

I read, engulfing all I can, remembering every single detail. When I turn the last page, my face is red and streaked with puddles.

I grab the piece of paper and continue to write, describing more and more stuff. I write and write, not noticing how the time whizzes by, how the sun rises and then shines brightly, illuminating the world. All there is...is my story. I write how the shadows danced upon the light in the sun, how the stars peeked through the foggy sky. How the sun beat down on my back as Cole and I walked hand in hand; how I would snuggle up against Cole on the couch in the hotel, and we would watch pointless cartoons. How he would joke or wink, and we would both end up cackling hysterically.

The pen flies across the paper, words jotting down on the page fluently. I write, take a break...and then write some more.

Before I know it, it's already one pm, and I decide to take a breath. Setting my pencil and papers down, I gaze up at the old large tree. The huge branches, some of which are covered in moss, shield me from the sun, shading me from its bright rays, and the dark green leaves rock back and forth with the slight breeze.

Suddenly I realize something. I've found a new writing spot, a spot that's very special to me, a spot that stirs up my emotions and starts leaking them on the frail paper in my hands. That's when I find out...I'm home. I'm really and truly home. And once in my life, everything seems to be perfect.

Maybe I'll finish my other story someday...maybe, just maybe. But right now I have other stuff to write about, more important memories to capture. And then grabbing my pen and sighing, I start to write.

So guys this is the end!!! I know, I'm sad too. Writing for you guys have been amazing and fun, and I absolutely love you guys!! You're all amazing and have supported me through everything!! I love yall so much!! I'm going to say it one last time. Thanks for reading, and I absolutely love you guys.

Love Grace