Ghost Kiss

Lily

      "Yes, I've got it!" I scream to my mom who has, for the thousandth time, asked  if I remembered my favorite pillow. Of course, I remember my favorite pillow, I can't sleep without it. My dad is loading everything into my truck as I take one last look at my almost empty room. I'm gonna miss living here, but I'll be back to visit pretty often. Lord knows my mom wouldn't have it any other way. 

      I walk down the stairs into the living room and take another look around as if I'm seeing it in a different way. I suppose I am. Moving out on your own means that this isn't my house anymore, I no longer live here.

      I look to the kitchen and see my mom standing there. She turns around and I can tell she had been crying again, but trying to hide it now. "I'm going to miss you so much!" she says ass he wraps her arms around me in yet another hug. I squeeze her tight right back. Even though I feel I have overstayed my welcome, my mom would've had me live here forever. 

      I separate myself from her and move to the door, she follows behind me, probably planning another hug before I drive away." I still don't understand why you can't stay here longer. You only just turned 20. There's still years before anyone really starts to question why you're still living with your parents." She really does hate that I'm moving out. She insists that I'm still too young for it.

      "Mom, I'll be fine. Most everyone I went to high school with is already out on their own or going to college themselves. And half of them went across the country for their college, I'm just going 2 hours away." I do understand what she means though. We haven't spent more than a day or two apart.

      "Well, I suppose. Maybe this will give you a chance to meet a nice man?" Mom says as she nudges me with her elbow. I roll my eyes in response as my dad just grunts. "Mom, how am I "too young" to move out but old enough to meet a man?" I ask. My dad holds his hand to his mouth and turns so Mom doesn't see he's trying not to laugh. Mom won't see anyway since she's glaring at me. "I just mean that at least if you met someone then you wouldn't be alone all the time. There would be someone there to help you and take care of you." "I'm sure I'll be fine Mom, there isn't anything I can't take care of myself. And it will be good for me to be alone. I can learn to rely on myself." She just shrugs her shoulders as the three of us continue walking toward the truck.

     "The oil is changed but keep track of your miles so you know when it needs to be done again. Tires are in great condition and everything is packed nice and neat for you sweet pea." My dad wouldn't let me leave unless he made sure everything on the truck was in top working order. He's never been a man of many2CHAPTER 1words, he prefers to show he cares through actions.

     I give my mom one last hug and she immediately starts crying again. "I love you, Mom." "I love you too." I turn to my dad who is standing up from his crouching position next to my back tire. "I love you, Dad." I wrap my arms around him as he says back, "I love you too, sweet pea." I smile at both of them as I'm getting into my truck. It's the same truck I've had since I was16 years old, the same one my parents bought for me. It's not a looker but it's mine.

     I stick my hand out the window and smile at them both standing there, "I'll be back in a couple of weeks." I pull away and look in my mirror, my dad is now hugging my sobbing mom. A part of me wants to go back and console her but I know if I do, she'd never let me leave again. So I continue on my journey.

     Two-hour drive and I'll be at my new home. College doesn't start for another month so I've got plenty of time to get in and get settled. Easy.