Forfeit

Epilogue

Midday light streamed in through a window, illuminating an open suitcase that rested on top of a a bed. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, shampoo, conditioner, and a myriad of other items were neatly organized within. A fat duffel bag sat next to the suitcase, and it was stuffed to the brim with shirts, pants, underwear, and other items, a strong contrast to it's neighbor. Someone suddenly grabbed the duffel bag and began to zip it up, although they found it more difficult than they imagined, having to tug and pull on the zipper violently to get it to close up. The person then reached over to the suitcase and quickly latched it shut, encasing the contents in a shallow darkness. The person began to sling the duffel bag over their shoulder, but then suddenly stopped. They dropped the duffel bag back onto the bed and then turned around. They walked over to a dresser, which was completely bare, save for a large oval mirror. The person then stopped in front of the mirror and stared at their reflection.

Her hair was a complete mess, strands of it poking out every which way, and her face seemed like it was pulled tight over her skull. She was tired. She had spent the whole morning packing; at first she had gone about it in an organized fashion, but after a while she just started shoving things in bags carelessly. She had never truly realized how many things she owned, even after throwing out most of her toys or giving them away. It was all a part of growing up, and she was finally at the scariest part of growing up so far: moving. She was finally leaving the place where she grew up and moving on with her life. It seemed almost unreal. She would be leaving behind all the familiar places she had seen and been to all her life. She would no longer be able to go down to the playground that she had spent years having fun in and take a ride on the swings, or be able to explore the junkyard and find strange things to play with or keep as a souvenir. But it wasn't all bad; after all, she would still have two people she knew to keep her company. She pulled her jean jacket around her tightly as she continued to stare at her reflection.

"You ready, Sarah?" someone asked from the doorway, causing her to snap out of her thoughts and look over at the doorway. Sarah gave a weak little smile when she spotted Jimmy in the doorway, leaning up against the door frame casually. He was wearing a pair of brown khaki pants and a a light blue polo shirt.

"Yeah... just gotta do a little something about my hair," Sarah answered before she pulled a scrunchie out of her pocket and pulled her hair back into a pony tail. She took one last look at herself before walking over to her bed where the suitcase and duffel bag still sat.

"Need any help?" Jimmy asked as he stepped out of the doorway and into her room.

"I've got it," she responded as he slung the duffel bag over her shoulder and then took hold of the handle on the briefcase. The two of them then exited the room, Sarah closing the door softly behind them, and made for the stairs.

"I thought your parents would be here to see us off," Jimmy commented as they descended the stairs.

"Don't worry, we went through the goodbyes yesterday," Sarah answered as they walked toward the front door. "But there was a lot of crying..." Jimmy smirked a little.

"We can always come down and see your parents whenever you want to..." Jimmy trailed off as he opened the door for her. "It'd be no trouble." The two of them stepped outside and began to walk toward Jimmy's compact car.

"I know... but I'll miss them..." Sarah said breathlessly as Jimmy opened up his trunk. "And I'll miss the neighborhood too." Jimmy watched her as she deposited her suitcase and duffel bag next to Jimmy's luggage. Jimmy shut the trunk and then looked at Sarah's tired face.

"I will too."

Some say that one can tell a lot about a woman by the contents of her purse. What the woman carries around with her everyday can tell one her habits, her likes, her beliefs, and a myriad of other things.