At the Park Bench

Chapter 1: Moving, Again

Thursday, August 7

I've been spending all the time that I have when I'm not packing with my best friends Jess and Jack. Jack and Jess are dating and I'm the one who helped make it happen since they were too blind to see the feelings shared between each other. I've been getting really close with Jack over the past few months since Jess would never stop talking about him. He's really sweet and cool and knows when to not take me seriously. He's probably the one boyfriend that Jess has had that doesn't have a problem with me and I don't despise. There was this one conversation I had with him where I had to make things clear for him.

"You know Jess is my best friend right?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yes of course. Sometimes I feel like she's in love with you and not me" he joked.

"Well then you know that it's my obligation to go after anyone the hurts her" I stayed as serious as I could. It was hard threatening him since he could never even hurt a fly.

"Yeah I get the message." Then we both burst out laughing.

School starts the 20th whatever state my dad's dragging me to so we're leaving tomorrow. He wants me to have time to get situated and try and meet some people. I had to say bye to Jess and Jack today and I'm so used to saying goodbye that I've learned how to control my emotions but I still feel like a part of me is staying behind. I told Jess to keep me posted on everything exciting that happens and I'll let her know how I'm doing with everything also. Even though I've had many close friends over the years Jess is probably one that actually gets me and I can be myself around. I want to keep in contact and see how long we can make this friendship last. Plus we've made a lot of plans for the future after we graduate so I want for us to be able to get to do them together.

Sunday, August 10

I finally finished unpacking everything from my boxes and got it somewhat organized. We've lived in many different cities and towns over the years with a whole variety of style houses. And since my dad keeps moving us around for his job I would only expect that he would be getting a larger salary for it as well. I have come to the conclusion that my theory was indeed correct because of the fact that our housing accommodations keep getting larger. My dad was nice enough this time to give me the master bedroom probably because he made me transfer schools half way through high school. I love the size of my room and the way everything has a place just like the way I envisioned it. I even started to think about what else I could add to my room since my dad always lets me get something new every time we move.

I decided to go into town and look around to know where to get my different necessities. I also wanted to see what the kids around here do and where they hang out. I walked into a pharmacy to get some basic hygiene supplies for my bathroom and other things if I remembered. I'm waiting in line at the checkout counter when a girl standing behind me starts talking to me.

"Hi. I don't think I've seen you around. Did you just move over here?" she asked me energetically.

"Uh yeah. I came here with my dad from Wisconsin. He's always moving us around because of his job." I told her and went to pay for my stuff.

"Wow. You came a distance. I've traveled to a few states over vacations but I've lived in North Carolina my whole life."

"I was born in Seattle and lived there till I was five. Other than that we haven't stayed in one place for more than three years. So basically I was born on the west coast and now I'm finding myself on the east coast."

"Well hopefully you can stick around long enough to make it to graduation. My name is Ally by the way. I can help you out when school starts show you where your classes are."

"Nice to meet you Ally my name is Abigail but you can call me Abby. Hopefully my dad will keep his end of the bargain and let me graduate but that never happens."

"Ok Abby just stick with me then and I'll let you know everything about everyone especially the guys." I looked at for a moment and then started laughing.

"I have a feeling you're going to be just like my best friend back in Wisconsin."

When I got home my dad was sitting on the couch on his laptop.

"What you up to daddy?" I asked him.

"Well I'm looking for a new delicious recipe we can work on together for dinner. I thought we should keep the tradition alive by starting with a new recipe like we always do when we move into a new house."

"Great now I'm hungry." I pouted.

He chuckles, "Ok go put on your apron and let's get started."

"So what are we making?"

"I'll let you figure that out on your own."

"Ugh why can't you just tell me?" I groaned.

"Because I want to see how your cooking scenes are getting." My dad teased.

We laughed and talked about all the places we've ever lived reminiscing through the good moments we've had together where ever we were at the time. Even though I get upset with my dad every time we have to move he and I are really close. Why wouldn't we be? My mom didn't just leave him but she left me too. I don't want to leave all the responsibility on my dad. Sometimes when he's going through a hard time it's my responsibility to be there for him since he's always there for me.