Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

The Move

"Independence is overrated," read the magazine on the coffee table.

"Overrated my ass," I scuffed lunging my suitcase down the stairs and out of my parent's house.

Outside, I waited for the cab that I called earlier. Patiently. Twenty minutes later the yellow checkered Taxi arrives, and to my luck the driver didn't look like a lunatic. Being a crazed fan of crime scene investigation shows, I've had my visual fill of crazy cabbies going on killing sprees.

This driver looked like he could be nothing over 25. He came out, standing at about six feet, grabbed my bag from my hand, threw it in the taxi as if it was empty, and slammed the trunk door. Without even a glance in my direction, he marched back to the drivers side.

What a Jerk.

I can be that. "Well it's about time!" I snapped opening my door and slamming it hard enough for him to react.

"Easy," he yelled loud enough to make me jump. "Where to?" he asked as he settled in his seat. His voice set my face on fire and my stomach on alert. Butterflies, they call them. I studied the right side of his head and face before finally stammering out an answer.

"Chene park."

The cabby gazed at me from the rear view mirror for 5 full seconds before he starts towards main street. His eyes were a dark shade that painted a large warning sign for everyone to see. Compared to my eyes, his were something of a hole you can stare into for days. I've heard of eyes like that before, but as cheesy as it sounds that's exactly what they were. Deep holes.

I kept my eyes on the rear view mirror, noticing this, the cabby adjusted the mirror and gripped the wheel tight. What's gotten into his briefs? I laid my head back and closed my eyes.

Starting off fresh, the thought of it was rather refreshing itself. Once I get to my new apartment, I'll be a new person starting a new life, right? ... with the exception of having to complete high school. I think this will be one hell of an experience. It was a better plan than staying at home-

The cab suddenly stopped making my eyes snap open. I looked up to see why he stopped and realized that it was just a red light.

Sheesh! I need to relax.

I turned my head to look out the window and who do I see? None other than Ema, the school cheerleader, pointing in my direction and saying something to her boyfriend, Austin. Whatever she told him must have been real funny because he laughed his ass off. Ema turned her attention to the cab driver and winks. I looked at the cabby, his face dead serious. I turned to Ema who was still staring at him as the cab zoomed past her.

Street corners suit her well.

I dug in my pockets for money. This was my first time using a cab and I have no idea how much I am supposed to pay. I pulled out two dollars, a five, and my ID. I placed the money and the ID on the seat and checked my other pocket, nothing. Remembering the thirty I put in my sock this morning, I took it out and recounted it. Thirty dollars. Maybe I had to pay only ten, or fifteen.. I don't know.

The cab finally came to a halt and I looked out to see the building of my new apartment. It's an alright building, but the area is far from safe. I climbed out of the cab while the cabby took out my bag. Remembering how he yelled at me earlier, I gently close the car door. He carried my bag to the front of the building.

"Here," I extended my hand with the money.

Looking at me up and down, he goes back towards the drivers side.

"It's on me," he says getting into his car and drives off.

I watched in silence as the taxi left.

"Fine," I shrugged. "More for me."

Note to self, young taxi drivers apparently don't take money from customers. Or maybe my staggering beauty told him not to? The voice in my head arrogantly suggested. I smile at that while examining the area.

Chene park isn't quite the place someone could call home sweet home, and it sure didn't look anything like the suburbs. The buildings, what used to be shops, are fully covered in graffiti. The grass is knee high in some areas, and the streets are filthy. There are cans, plastic bags, and candy wrappers everywhere in this area. Despite the fact that the sun has yet to set, the allies were dark enough to attract criminals.

What was I thinking when I decided to come and live in this area? Freedom, that's what I was thinking. I mean, yes I loved the comfort of my home but there were complications that made it unbearable.

Sue me!

I take my bag and quickly walked up the steps. The lobby, as cold as outside, is still the way it was when I came down here to check out the place earlier this week. However, behind the counter there's a different receptionist. This time a man of about 60 with gray hair and pale skin stood behind the counter. With shaking hands, he stared blankly at some papers in front of him. I walked up to the desk and cleared my throat.