Of The Monsters

Long Drive

I packed my bags as if I wasn't coming back, even though I was sure I was. Aunty Drew told me she lives in California and that she owns a candy parlor called 'Sugar Tooth'. I asked if it was okay if I worked there and she said sure.
My dad was leaving in two days but he says the reason I'm leaving earlier than him is so I can go ahead and settle in, but I knew that Aunty Drew's home could probably never be my home.

"Marilyn, Hun its time to go." Drew stopped at my doorway looking around the empty room. "Okay can you help me carry these boxes to the truck?" She nodded and grabbed one of the boxes at her feet.

There were 20 boxes in total and her truck was filled to maximum capacity. My dad walked out the house with a tiny box in hand giving it to me. "Promise me that you'll always love me Lenny." " I promise." "Promise me you'll call or write me whenever you can." "I promise." A tear slid down my cheek. He wiped it away. "Promise me when we depart you'll be strong." "I promise." He smiled. "And lastly promise you won't open that box until you settle in." "Promise." He pulled me into a bear hug and I could tell just as much as he probably could that we didn't want to let go. But we did, just not forever.

Drew started the car as she said her goodbyes to my dad also, then we were off.

I was scared to go to a new school and have new friends. What if no one wanted to be friends with me? What if I fall in the hallway for the hundredth time? But then again why do I care?

All my life it seems I've been trying to please everyone else then try to please myself, and now- I don't know- why I want to change.

"Hey Drew can I ask you a question?" She smiled. She always smiled it seemed to be apart of her. "Sure sweetheart, you can ask me anything." "Okay, well Ummm what does it take to change?" She knitted her eyebrows together on her face her first frown forming on her face. "Well it takes heart and confidence. Some girls think that it takes a new wardrobe and a new hairstyle, but that's not even close. Why? Do you want to change?" I sighed. "Well I guess I'm just tired of those accusing looks even though they are apart of life sometimes it just gets to me, you know-" she nodded "Its like the world looks down on the girls who just want to be normal."

"You know your mom said the same thing and this is what I told her. 'The world looks down because it wants you to look up and see that you are something special'."

I was so confused and I guess she could tell. "Maybe you don't understand now but you will, it just takes time."

Hmm time, I guess she's right.