Carry On

Chapter 5: Unrightfully Judgmental

I don't even bother telling the driver to take us to Kaidynn's house. Instead, I dump her on her side of the bed and hop in the shower. Kaidynn is snoring when I climb into my bed and hold my phone up. There's a text from Josh saying that he had a good time tonight and hoping that I will want to do it again. I fall asleep smiling. 

I open the fridge and smack a hand to my forehead in the morning. Eggs. I forgot eggs at the grocery store. Ugh. With a sigh I add eggs to the list for next week.

I grab a box of raisin bran off of the top of the refrigerator and pour a bowl, trying my best to stay quiet and not wake the still sleeping Kaidynn. She needs time to sleep off the liquor. There's no new text from Josh, but there is one from Max hoping that Gram has made a full recover. 

After breakfast, I check the weather. Warm, topping out at 90. I hate California. And that is precisely the reason I'm transferring to Columbia this coming fall. My stint at the community college is over and now, armed with my associate's degree, it's time to head out and really get out there on my own.

California has it's perks. Beach access almost full year, but I crave the cold weather. I want to be able to play in the snow and wear sweaters without dying of heat stroke. My mom is not happy about the move and is going to do everything in her power to keep me in Bay Grove, but I'm ready for some change. I'm enrolled and have already received my dorm assignment. Living with someone, other than Kaidynn, is going to be weird. Especially sharing a room, but it's an adventure I'm excited to take. 

I walk back into my room. Leaving Kaidynn might just be the hardest part of it all. She lays with her hands above her head, snoring softly. We've been no more than a street apart for over a decade. I take a quick shower, changing into a sundress with white trim my mother had bought me. I slip my feet into white sandals.

I run a comb through my hair and push a headband in to hold it back. My phone starts to ring and I jog back into the kitchen to grab it. My face falls when I read my mother's name.

"Hello?"

"Good, your awake."

"I have been for about an hour. What are you calling for?"

"I was calling to remind you of Lenny's party. I spoke with Rose and she's very excited you are coming. Gregory is putting on his best self to impress you." I flop into the chair next to the couch. I was hoping my mother wouldn't make me go through with this. 

"Of course. I'll be there."

"We thought you would like to drive with us. I'm willing to come pick you up."

"No, that's okay. I'll drive myself, I have some errands to run anyways. When should I be there?" I drum my fingers on the table next to me.

"We are heading over now to set up." I want to sigh and tell her that's not what I asked, but I don't feel like getting a lecture this early.

"Me, mom. When should I come?"

"Maybe one? I think that's when it starts."

"Okay. I'll be there at one. I'll see you then." I hang up before she can bring me into another conversation. I glance out the window and notice my missing car. Damn it. It's still at Kaidynn's. I could wake her up, but that is another conversation I am not trying to have this morning. I leave a note reminding her to feed the fish and tell her where I'll be in case she wakes up before I return. 

Outside, the air is already starting to get humid. It's going to be a long day. I walk the short distance to Kaidynn's flat and find my car parked where I had left it. Inside it, I crank the air and sit there for a minute letting it cool down my flustered skin.