pink roses - joe burrow

four

The two weeks felt like a blur. It felt like nothing happened, when a lot happened. Maybe it was the fact that my mind was occupied with the curiosity of what will happen when I go back to Baton Rouge. My mind was running on what if's, and fake scenarios in my head. What if Joe just doesn't even answer my text? Would all of this hope just be for absolutely nothing and just like I had thought, create a self-induced heartbreak?

Preston and Carolyn ended up coming back a few days after the barbecue to pick up Jonah and say hello. I missed them dearly, especially Carolyn. She was always the big sister I never had. They had promised me that they would be down sometime in the fall to come check out Louisiana and come watch a Tigers game with me, even more so than ever because our old friend Joe was now their quarterback.

On the morning of my departure back to Baton Rouge, Tanner sat on my bed as I packed my bag. "Do you really have to go back so soon? I feel like you just got here." Tanner whined, his feet swinging on the edge of my bed. I chuckled at him, folding a t-shirt and laying it in bag.

"Unfortunately, I have to work. Adulting sucks, stay little for a while." I replied, turning around to gather my makeup from my desk. I miss the days of being Tanner's age. Not a single care in the world, just school, being obsessed with boy bands, and playing outside with Joe. The endless summers were just magical, now it seems like time is in overdrive. The world moves so quick as you grow older, and sometimes it's a struggle to keep up. It really just seems like life is a game of can you keep up?

"I can't wait to grow up! I'm gonna drive, have my own place, a dog! Especially a dog! Mom and dad won't let me get a dog." Tanner rambled on, his voice and eyes just so full of hope and excitement to plan his future. I can't fault him though, everyone was like that his age. We all couldn't wait to grow up and be an adult. I would do anything to turn back time and be Tanner's age again.

After I finished packing, I hobbled my bag downstairs to the foyer, where my mom and dad stood waiting for me. "Ah, this is so sad, my baby girl is leaving again." My mom spoke, teary eyed. She ran up to me to gave me a tight hug, rubbing my back soothingly. I returned her hug, squeezing her tight. It's always emotional to leave mom. She will always be my best friend.

"You know I'll be home for Christmas." I assured her, getting choked up myself.

"That's so far, but you're going to do so awesome for your last year." She encouraged, finally pulling away from the hug, holding the sides of my arms while her sparkling eyes gazed into mine with pride.

My dad cleared his throat to get our attention, as he checked his watch. "Birdie's going to miss her flight if we don't start heading there."

"Oh hush, Harold. She doesn't need to be there three hours early." My mom rolled her eyes, as she stepped back from me, taking a deep breath in to hold her emotions.

Tanner came running down the stairs with a picture he drew. He held it up to me as I studied it. It was a stick figure drawing of three people. It looked like me, Tanner and another stick figure holding a football. I raised my eyebrow, looking down at him. "Who's that next to us?" I asked him.

"Joe!" He smiled widely with his toothy grin. "I drew us playing football because I had so much fun. That's why you have a frowny face, because you lost!"

Oh lord, this child. "I love it, Tanner! Thank you, it's going on my fridge as soon as I get home." That was truth, I wasn't going to just disregard my little brother's drawing like it was some terrible macaroni art picture. It actually was sentimental and a cute memory. I'm not too entirely sure why he exactly had to have Joe on there too, but to each their own.

I hugged my mom and Tanner one last time while my dad loaded my bag into his truck. I watched as they both waved as Dad backed out of the driveway, where I would go back to being on my own for a while.