One Way Bridge

Chapter 15

It was a lot different from the first time I moved. We didn't have a large truck or storage units and this time I was moving to another state, not the next town. Jim loaded the boxes into the car while Grandma and I threw sheets over the furniture. I didn't really understand why we were doing it, if you asked me it was a clear sign to thieves that no one lived there.

In the end, grandma sent me to check that I had everything from my room while we waited for Riley to return from the airport. He had dropped Sam off early that morning, but the airport was a little ways away.

I looked at my desk. It was still covered in trophies and birthday cards. I picked up a card that said 'happy birthday to our little girl'. I opened it and there was a poem, but I didn't bother reading it. Instead I ran my thumb over the signature. Love mom and dad. The blue ink left a slight indent on the thick paper. Both names were written in my mom's neat script. The gene I missed out on. I had my dad's hurried handwriting. I smiled, remembering how my mom had signed all of our names since we learned to write properly. Apparently it was only fun to have us sign cards when we couldn't spell our own names.

I dropped the card into my purse and ran my fingers over the fake wood of my desk. I looked out the window, my hand still running over the smooth surface. I hit something and it fell off the desk. I leaned down to pick up the medallion. I turned it over to see the front and memories came rushing back. It was the medal I won the weekend before. I didn't want these memories so I quickly set the medal on the desk and rushed to the door. I turned to take one last glance at my room.

Even with posters plastered on the walls and the clutter on my desk, the room still seemed empty. The feeling overwhelmed me, so I turned on my heel and walked away. I went straight out the front door and sat on a step. Grandma came out and leaned against the house. "Got everything?"

I nodded brushing some of the wood chips back into the flower bed. Jim joined us outside and we all sat in silence for a moment until I spoke. "Do you think I could drive my car?" It was a long shot, but I wanted to have time alone to think.

"I don't know, it's a long drive. You might get lost." Grandma stated.

"Mom, maybe it's a good idea. You're not supposed to drive very far." Jim became my saving grace.

"Okay, but maybe I should ride with Emma." Of course Grandma had to ruin my plan.

"I'll be fine. I'll stay right behind your car." I was desperate. Six hours in a car with my grandma. You can bet that if we turned the radio on it would be a talk show or polka music.

"Mom I'll drive your car, you come with me. Emma will be fine by herself." I smiled at Jim. He had gotten me what I wanted.

Grandma then spent the next ten minutes making sure I knew how to get to the town we decided to stop for lunch in. It was easy. I just had to get on the interstate and take the one exit into St. Lucas. The restaurant was on the main road. Plus, I'd be following Grandma's car the entire way.

Finally, Riley's car pulled back into the driveway. Jim and Grandma seemed to disappear, so Riley took the spot beside me on the steps. "So this is it?" He spoke first.

"Yeah, " I let out a faint chuckle. "I always thought that when I left here I would be headed across the country to some university. I wouldn't bother looking in the rearview mirror I'd be so excited to leave, but now it seems like I'm leaving myself behind."

"You're not leaving yourself behind, only me. Besides, you'll be back soon. It's not forever."

"I'm sorry I didn't chose you."

"I'm not. You were right. I can't take care of a sixteen year old girl. I'm just a godfather, my job is to be the fun parental figure that spoils you!"

"Yeah, you used to fill me with sugar and deliver me home for my parents to deal with." We both laughed at the memories

"Call me when you get there?"

"Of course!" I stood and hugged him and just like that I left. We didn't say goodbye, we didn't have to. Grandma and Jim came outside, so we made our way to the cars. I climbed in mine and turned the ignition. I followed Jim out of the driveway, only looking back to wave to Riley from the middle of the driveway. The same driveway that led to the house which, no matter how many people crammed into it, would always feel empty to me.

Full Copyright 2013

Updated 6/17/2018