Bucket List

Chapter 8

The next day consisted of of working in a small kitchen with Ethel, plating dishes for people during breakfast and lunch. Ethel caught me looking at my watch after the afternoon rush.

"When's your flight?" She asked.

"Five hours." I answered distractedly.

"We're going to miss you," She smiles sadly. "You've created quite a stir around here."

"Unintentionally of course." I added with a smirk.

"I'll have Rahim drive you to the airport." She offers. I nodded with a smile, wiping my hands on my apron.

The back door opened and shut, making Ethel and I to turn. Realizing it was only Sam, we turned back around, mixing ingredients for dinner.

"Smells great in here." Sam said sarcastically with a scrunched nose.

"Some of the meat is expired." Ethel explained.

"I can place an order." He answers.

Ethel nods then looks to me with a smile.

"Ellie, Dear," She starts. "Go pack up your things, Rahim will come grab your bags when your ready."

"I forgot it was your last day." Sam said quickly, grabbing an apple from the bag and taking a large bite.

"Hm hm." I answered simply. Since yesterday we barely had talked. Dinner consisted of Ethel's desperate attempts to lighten the mood, and Rahim grunting sporadically throughout, not bothering to speak. It was comical, really, now that I think about it. After a few days, I knew these people quite well.

"Sam will walk you home." She said.

"Will I see you before I leave?" I asked her.

"I'm afraid not," She shakes her head. "I have to stay for dinner."

"I understand," I smile. "It was nice meeting you."

I outreached my hand for a shake, but she ignored it, throwing herself at me for a hug. I chuckled to myself as she clenched my back.

"It was so lovely having you, dear." She sniffled, releasing me from her grip.

"It was lovely being here." I smiled.

"Come back anytime!" She beamed happily. I nod and look to Sam.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked. He nodded, a drip of apple juice falling to his shirt. We walked out of the kitchen and into the hotness of the late afternoon.

In a moment of weakness, I thought staying here for the remainder of my trip would be a splendid idea, but I knew it was only me bargaining. I've always known that Bailey was more adventurous, confident, and brave me than me. But standing in front of the world and diving in head first has proven to be more difficult then I had originally thought. Change was something Bailey had always embraced, loved even. A new restaurant across town or an exchange student in class made her excited. I wasn't like that.

So leaving this place, meant leaving the familiar. Even if living there for only a few short days. It was already like a home, and it hurt to remember that this wouldn't be the last time I felt this way on my trip.

Sam was quiet on the way to the house. It was odd seeing him quiet, when I had so much to say. We swapped titles. And I was desperate for him to break the ice. Instead I grew a pair.

"Are you staying here forever?" I asked suddenly. The outburst clearly surprised him, as he glanced at me with wide eyes.

"What do you mean?" He asked, a slight tug at the edge of his lips hinted a smile.

"I mean that you used to travel the world, and experience new things," I explained. "And now what? You're giving it all up?"

"Why are you so interested in my plans?" He inquired, his slight English accent changing the sound of his words.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I guess I'm jealous."

"Of what?"

"You're free."

"So are you."

"But it's different," I argue. "I'm not like you."

"You're not like anyone. You're Ellie." He answers, throwing the core of his apple into the air and catching it again.

His answer seemed simple, yet I didn't understand. Samuel, I realized, was a lot like Bailey. He had this aura of confidence. When he walked into the room, it felt safe and happy. He made me miss her, more than I already had.

We got to the house and I excused myself to go pack. I hadn't brought much, so it didn't take long. I made my bed and cleaned up my room as much as I could, not knowing where cleaning supplies or a broom might be hiding.

The small vanity in the corner of my room had a dusty mirror on it. With my hand, I wiped the glass clean. The edge's were rusting slightly, but it did it's job nonetheless. My skin was pink from the sun, I only tanned after the burn. My hair was dry and flat in it's ponytail. My grayish eyes seemed bluer in the dim light of the room.

I felt the engraving of the wood on the vanity to find a series of letters sprawled across the top. It was Latin I realized after a moment. Carpe Diem.

Any fool would know that it means seize the day. The quote was overused in movies and novels alike and I smirked at the cheesiness. But something about the letters, how they sprawled across the old oak, made me stare at it. Something told me it was there for me to find. 

I never believed in destiny. Bailey did. I bet Samuel does. 

I walked down the stairs with my backpack slung over my shoulder. Rahim and Samuel sat at the kitchen table. I watched Sam as he told a detailed story, hand gestures and acting included, as Rahim smiled slightly, sipping a bottle of water.

"Ready to go Rahim?" I asked.

 He looked up at nodded, getting up from his chair and grabbing the keys from the wall hook. Sam got up to, smiling sheepishly at me.

"I wish you could stay longer." He smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"It was nice meeting you."

"Make it quick," Rahim ordered. "I've got the ac running in the car."

I waved a goodbye to San before following Rahim out the door. I stepped into the car and buckled my seatbelt. The cool air was inviting, I had to give Rahim credit. He pulled the car into to drive.

Before he could press the accelerator, Sam shot out of the house and ran to the car, opening the door and jumping in, a backpack slung over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm coming with you." He answered, panting.