Moving Forward

One- Moving Day

I am not sure how I have been doing this all my life. We had just finished packing all we own into the moving truck which my dad would be driving. And I would be following in the car. I just got my licence about a week and a half ago. I turned 16 the day before. I can't believe my dad was going to let me drive his 2016 metallic black Dodge Dart. It had a blue tooth that synced to my phone and a camera in the back for backing up. It also had voice command. Eeeek! Of course I would drive only one or two car lengths behind my dad because I didn't know exactly where we were going. Plus I don't want to loose him on the busy high way.

"Do you think Wesley can ride with you? I am going to lay down the seat protector in the back so it doesn't get dog hair all over it." My Dad said, as he began putting in the seat protector.

"Yeah he is pretty quiet during road trips, so it shouldn't be a problem." I answered, knowing full well I didn't really have any other choice anyway.

"You're all set pumpkin. See you at the first rest stop in about four hours." He gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek, then went to climb in his truck. "Call me if you loose me, k? It's safe in that car cause you don't have to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. Just hit the call button on the left hand side of the wheel. Love you!" And with that he shut his door and started his engine.

I sighed and opened the back door, "Come on Wess, up!" I called. Then our blue heeler jumped in. He was my "guard" dog. He hasn't really proved anything to me besides barking every time someone knocks or rings the door bell. But dad said he was professionally trained, so.

I walked around to the drivers side. Getting in and watching my dad back out of the drive way, started up the engine. I waited for him to pull out of the drive way first. I knew this area well, and my way to the freeway, but I just wanted to get a feel for following another vehicle. I turned the radio on to an 80's/70's station. Oldies are goodies, right? At least I think so. I stopped behind my dad at the first light singing along to an old rock song, the love shack.

This was gonna be a long trip.

______________________

Three days later we stopped just out side Vancouver, for gas. It was like 8 pm. I couldn't wait to sleep in my own bed and not at a rusty motel. The place we were moving to came with minimal furniture. A couple of beds and a couch, also with a dining room table and old wooden chairs. I've seen pictures of the inside. But not the area. I hope we were close to down town. I hear it's beautiful near the water. Not that I would know, believe it or not as far and as many times as we have moved, I've never seen the ocean. I've seen pictures of course, but never walked on a beach.

As I pulled up to the pump, Wesley barked letting me know he needed out. I put the car in park and got out, opening the back door. "Go, Wesley." I tilted my head and threw it in the direction of a grassy patch. He obliged and began sniffing around for the perfect place to take care of his business. I filled up the tank with another 20. My dad gave me several and told my to fill up when ever we stopped. I had one left after this.

"How you holdin' up sweet heart? You are such a good driver. Do you think you can go maybe two more hours? Or should we stop at the motel six down the road?" He asked, scratching his head and giving Wesley some attention as he came back from the grass patch.

"Oh no. No more hotels, if it means getting to our new home and to a bed without a million pillows and scratchy blankets and some privacy I think I can stand to drive a couple more hours." I laughed half-heartedly.

"You got it. I'll go get us a snack, what do you want?" He asked, turning towards the convenience store.

"Chips. Chips are safe. No grease. And you can't under or over cook them." My dad chuckled and nodded, heading in to the store to get my chips. Before I knew it we were on our way back to the freeway. The next two hours were filled with silence as I was finally beginning to get tired of the same type of music and I just needed a few moments of silence.

When we finally arrived I could tell right away we weren't by the water. I think we passed a small body of water that led to the ocean earlier, but I couldn't see it very well because of all the evergreen trees lining the roads. Our neighborhood didn't look bad, but I would still keep my knife and pepper spray with me at all times. It was kind of a run down area but there were several children around. We drove deeper into the area, when I began to loose hope. All these houses were definitely bad news. I felt like I was being watched and that I shouldn't be here. Thank God we turned the corner and my dad pulled up to a much better looking complex. I pulled into the drive way next to him.

"What do you think pumpkin?" My dad asked, holding his hands out as if this was a place you'd show off and be proud of... except it was barely any better than the houses we passed in the neighborhood with all the children.

"It's uhm... you know what? I don't care. It has a roof, and I know there is a mattress inside calling my name. Thanks dad. I love you. Can I sleep now? It's been 15 hours since I last slept. For only 5 hours, might I add." I huffed.

"Yeah go ahead, here's the keys. Just set them on the table in the dining room." I threw him the car keys and he tossed me the house key. I jogged up to the door and unlocked it. I eventually found my way to the dining room, and set the keys on the table. Then I went to my room. Finally. The bed here had a pink satin comforter and baby blue pillows, just two. Like normal. Ahhh. I sighed. The sheets smelled of flowers and they were also pink. I don't mind that color, but I'm not too crazy about it. I threw back the covers, kicked off my shoes and just fell into the box spring bed. Relief washed over my stressed muscles. The first thing I would do tomorrow is take a hot shower and take a morning jog. Then come back and help dad unload the truck. But for now, I just wanted to sleep.

(A/N) just let me know what you think of this, I've already got several chapters on it, I just want to know if people like this idea. Thanks guys...