a heart's end

Twenty Four

Anaelle

Monty's birthplace is a rural town dump. There are hardly any nice restaurants, no mall, this town does not even have a Target. What town doesn't have a Target? And when I say that there are more flatlands here than I have ever seen in my life, it's the truth.

I'm sitting on the backseat with Monty. I have never seen him so joyous, and I want to keep this picture of him for the rest of my life: eyes wide, dimples out, hair messy, and the biggest smile. He looks so innocent and so pure. Like a puppy. Nothing can destroy him in this moment of pure bliss. I was excited for him. Being with his family has to be better than being with my own family. Or Donte and his mother.

As soon as Monty saw his mother and father at the baggage claim he stopped everything and ran to them. Ran to them. It was the biggest embrace I have ever seen. Seeing him kiss his mother and hug his father didn't make me jealous, however I was curious on how real parents are supposed to act. I've never been around any parents except for my own and Donte's mother and I hate all of them.

I didn't know what to do when he ran away so I do what I always do when I'm uncomfortable: turn the other way and pretend I didn't see.

"Mom, Dad this is my, uh..." I heard his voice coming close and I knew he was confused on our relationship status. I am too, honestly.

I turned around to face his parents and his mom looked huge when she was closer. I know that is rude to think, especially about the woman who raised Monty, but I've been taught my whole life to spot imperfections and beat people down over it. It's second nature. But she has a kind smile which counts for something. Monty is an exact clone of his father, though, Same lean body frame, kind brown eyes, and matching wavy hair.

I looked at Monty as he looked at me. I smiled at his parents and took a deep breath.

"Girlfriend. I'm Monty's girlfriend." I reached my hand out to give a formal handshake but was taken aback when Monty's mother reached in for a hug. I tried not to make my body go stiff but this was a stranger hugging me. She was also patting my back pretty hard. I guess this must be how southerners greet strangers.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Kingsley." I spoke after our semi awkward embrace ended.

"Oh my goodness, sweetie. I haven't heard Mrs. Kingsley in years. Please, call me Mama K."

"Mom, remember." Monty smiled and laughed at his mom. "Anaelle isn't from the south."

After giving a swift handshake to his father and collecting our baggage, we piled into his mom's Tahoe and off we went.

     Fields and fields and more fields. Dollar Generals and Dollar Trees were littered everywhere, some in the most random spots. Monty would tell me the name of towns we were passing through and I didn't even know it because of how vacant these so called "towns" are. It honestly surprised me how poor the South looked. I know there are urban parts of the south, like Nashville or Atlanta. But we were far from there.

     "So, where exactly do you live?" I turned to Monty and he was still smiling. I knew he lived in Mississippi but I never knew exactly where.

    "Columbus." He patted my knee. "We're almost there."

    I wasn't getting impatient, but I was glad we were almost there. I'm spending this whole week with Monty and his country family and honestly, I'm excited. Monty's mom was saying something about going "into town" tonight and going to eat and go to some shops. That should be fun with the whole family. Hopefully she was referencing the whole family because I wouldn't want it to be just us two. Well, actually, I would.