Dreaming Is for the Free

Four

"Hey, Maya. It's nice to finally meet you." I wave at her.

I'm surprised I was the one who spoke first. That never happens.

She smiles at me with her pearly white teeth like she's in a toothpaste commercial. She's really pretty. She has a small gap that's barely noticeable. She looks like a Disney princess despite her very casual clothes. Her hair is jet black, long and wavy. She has big brown eyes that make her look innocent. Her olive skin is radiant and it makes her pinkish lips stand out.

I start to wonder about what her ethnicity may be, but I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later.

"Same. I'm so late."

We laugh at her comment.

"Where should I put this?"

I hear a deep voice, but I see no one at first. But soon enough, a man who appears to be in his late twenties, comes marching in with a box in his hand. Maya's face falters a little. She tries to save it, but I catch it. Too late. I see how her posture stiffens at his arrival. Aunt Bev and I share a knowing glance while KJ and Uncle Theo obliviously stare ahead.

I don't even have time to introduce her to my family properly because she quickly states how she has to help get her things. She walks over to room A as the man follows behind her. We stand in the entranceway kind of confused by that little exchange, but then we go back to what we were doing before. Uncle Theo, with his large hand firmly gripping the handle to the dolly lets out a sigh.

"I was gonna load this up in the truck, but we should see if they wanna use it. I'll get it back once it's time to move you back out." He shrugs his shoulders.

I do the same.

We wait for them to come back out of the room to offer them the dolly before they make another trip downstairs. They happily take the dolly, and that's when everyone is introduced. It turns out the guy who's helping her is her brother-in-law. I don't ask any questions even though I really want to because it's weird that her brother in law, Tory, is moving her in with no one else. It's just him. Where's her sister? Where's her parents? That's a little strange, but who am I to judge someone based on their family dynamic? My parents aren't exactly active in my life either.

Let it go, Halo. It's none of your business anyways.

My family and I make our way back out to the parking lot. KJ and I walk towards the big truck to see our family off but before we reach the vehicle, I see another familiar car. It's KJ's 2019 Honda Civic. Its white exterior stands out amongst a row of dark cars around it.

"Isn't that KJ's old car?" I question, confused as to why he would need two cars.

"It's yours now, dummy." KJ pops me on the back of my head.

I stand there dumbfounded. I wasn't expecting this at all. I shake my head. I'm in denial. There's no way.

"No way."

Aunt Bev jumps up and down while Uncle Theo embraces me.

"Why did you think I made you get your license over the summer?" I feel his chest rumble with laughter as my head lays against him.

Don't cry.

"I thought it was in case KJ got drunk and I had to drive him home."

Tears start spewing out.

I failed.

These are happy tears. I can't thank them enough.

"Thank you."