Sweet Munchies

First Munch

"It's been a long time huh, Lake Havasu." I mummered to myself.

I drag my luggage behind me while I make my way to the exit where Anna -- I mean Mum, was waiting for me. My luggage was extremely light since Juneau has always been cold all year round. All I had in my wardrobe was coats, hoodies, pullovers and more pullovers. The heaviest thing I bought from my wardrobe was my favourite fleece grey jacket. Not like I would get to use it when I'm here, but I couldn't sleep without it.

I spot the familiar red Toyota waiting at the front of the airport.

"Estrella, hey." Anna said.

"Hey, Mum." I greeted as she pulled me closer for a hug. I hug back.

It's been 10 years since I last saw her. Her hair was still extremely orange, just like mine. She cut it short, though.

"Nice haircut." I commented.

"Yeah," Anna shrugged. "It's hot around here." she said.

Hot is an understatement. It's super humid around here. So different from Alaska.

She helped me with my luggage as I went into the car first. I put my face near the AC once I got in. I didn't dislike the heat, I just wasn't used to it yet.

The ride home was silent. Most people might think daughters should be closer to their mothers. Weirdly enough, I was closer to my dad than my mum when I was younger. Even when they got divorced when I was eight years old, I yelled and wailed so loud that I didn't want to live with her. Let me make it clear first -- I don't hate her. The problem was that, my maternal grandparents hated me. They didn't like my mum either, so I thought that was the problem. But my dad used to tell me that they've never wanted a girl as a firstborn, and my mum was their first child. Sadly for them, I was my mum's first child, a daughter.

"How's Adam?" she asked while I was watching the scenery that flew by us outside the window.

"Good," I replied. I don't talk about Sarah -- the woman that my dad has been seeing since two years ago. I don't know if my mum ever moved on from my dad, so I don't mention Sarah.

"How about you?" I asked.

"I'm good too," she replied. And then the silent begins again.

"I bought you something actually, a welcoming gift." she announced, breaking the silence.

"What is it?" I asked. At least something for me to look forward to.

"You'll see it when we reach home." she replied. I reply back an 'okay' and she turns her focus back on the road.

"Wow." I said. The first thing I saw when I got out from the car was a black Nissan parked in front of the house. It doesn't look new, but I love it already.

"Thanks Mum! I really love it." I said while I walked around the car to take a better look at it.

"Do you mind if it's a second-hand?" She asked.

"No, of course. I really like it." I replied. It was really nice of her to get me a car. Dad wanted to get me a car, but Sarah said I could just drive hers, since Dad's going to drive her to work. But I've never gotten to drive any.

I look her in the eye, wanting to ask her a question. But she seems to know what I was about to ask.

"Don't worry, the AC works fine." she assured.

"Okay." I replied.

I headed to the trunk to get out my luggage but Anna insisted on bringing it in the house herself. She carried the luggage to my room that I always had since I lived here. The only change in the room was that the bed became a double, and there was a desk on the side.