Image not exactly what I had in mind, but I gave up on the image generator. Clearly, I'm not cut out for these things...
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The actual moving had been a lot less dramatic than she had expected. The men came, they loaded the van and that was that.
"Is that everything lady?" The driver asked.
The question caught her off guard.
Is that everything?
The boxes. Is that everything?
The question felt like the echo of a beaten gong. Could all her life be packed into just a single word? Everything?
She had spent the last few weeks packing her entire life in secret. Hiding boxes under clothes in her wardrobe or under her bed. Her packing had been either at night time under very controlled flame light or the hour or so she had to herself at home.
It would have been longer if her father's mission hadn't been cut short. He came in, swooped Mama out of the house to make up for all the years lost.
A twinge of guilt flooded her chest at the thought of her father. She had only seen him twice since he arrived but she was aready slipping by him again.
I'll visit them for sure, she made a silent promise to herself and pushed the feelings of guilt aside.
As she drifted back to the present, the question floated back to her.
Is that everything?
They stood by the side of the van while he scanned the item list for completeness. She had made sure to be very dilligent about this task at least. The longer they lingered, the more likely Mama's instincts would scream at her to 'check in'.
That is, if Mrs Gissik hadn't done it instead. Aeja fought the urge to turn around to face th flat. Mrs Gissik would be in, of course. Today had been meticulously planned. But Mrs Gissik's head was always sticking out of the living room window whenever Aeja's eyes glanced over. With her lips dulled down by age and gravity and piercing grey eyes, Aeja always felt uncertain in the old lady's presence.
She rubbed clammy palms agains her jumpsuit instead and nodded in finality. She would deal with her fear and uncertainty later.
"This is everything."
She stood there waiting for him to complete the assessment. Her gaze flicked between him and the sheet he held for the entire minute he looked at it.
"And can you confirm the delivery address?" He said without looking up.
He clicked his pen to activate it and brough it own to the paper, waiting for her answer.
"Mirao House"
"I was quite surprised when I saw the name. You got yourself a good one lady" He said, his lips tugging into a smile with each word. Finally, he looked up at her with warmth in his eyes "We need to move on up in society, and you young ones are taking us there."
She breathed out a slow breath of relief. Though at what? She did not know.
She released her tense shoulders and returned his smile.
"Alright then lady, we'll take the lead on this one. Make sure to be there when we arrive. I won't be waiting around for no young ones. Even if they are ladies."
"Of course. I'll be right behind you" She said with the same smile on.
It was only once the van had started to move that Aeja allowed herself to take in a full breath.
