Finish Line

1

Have you ever thought about speed? How fast each of us are moving everyday? Some days are slower than others, I wonder why? 

I've always felt as if my life has been slower than I'd prefer. I lived with my mom in Cannon Beach, Oregon for most of my life. I moved out last year, spent my freshman year of college in Santa Barbra. I met some really amazing people and started to make a life for myself. Now I'm facing the one fast thing in my life, my father. 

I've been staring aimlessly at the sign hanging above the cafe. It reads The Streets. I've drawn my eyes away from the sign long enough to see him, sitting inside the empty cafe with three people. A woman and two teenagers. One looks to be around 16 years old while the other looks to be around 12 or 13 years old. The woman is nowhere near as beautiful as my mother. Nothing can compete with her long dark hair and blue eyes. This woman has straight blonde hair and green eyes. I stare at them as they laugh, almost jealous of his perfect little family. 

Finally, I get out of the car. The day is hot, the sun burning my skin. I wrap my lanyard around my fingers as I reach for the glass doors. My hand slowly wraps around the handle as I notice my father rise from his chair. A smile spreads across his face and I return it, trying to be nice. I finally pull the door open, brushing some of my long chestnut hair out of my way. Soon, the entire family is on their feet, some with welcoming smiles and others without.

"Raimy," Cole exclaims. His smile has spread farther along his face as he pulls me into a hug. I pat his back slightly before pulling away from the hug, "it's been so long, look at you!"

I smile at this slightly as I push my sunglasses up onto my head. I glance down at my Converse, scanning over my jean shorts and flowy tank top reading the word seawaves. "Yeah, it's been quite some time, hasn't it," I give a short laugh.

He turns to look at the three people standing awkwardly behind me. "Raimy, this is my wife Elena and her two sons Jake and Sammy. Jake is 16 and Sammy is 13," He informs me, trying to break the silence between us.

The wife is the first to speak up. A smile breaks out onto her face as she approaches me, pulling me into a hug. "Oh Raimy, it's so nice to finally meet you. We've heard so much about you! Goodness, you're such a beautiful young lady," She rambles on. I lightheartedly laugh at her kindness. It's weird to see her as my stepmother when she seems to be so nice. I'd always expected her to be a cold-hearted bitch.

The youngest boy is the next to greet me. "I'm Sammy," He tells, extending his hand towards me. I'm almost taken aback at his politeness. I've never met a thirteen year old boy with manners before. I shake his hand, smiling down at him.

"It's nice to meet you, Sammy," I smile at him. He looks at my hand for a moment, noticing the henna art on it and my long grey nails, "My roommate Allison is quite the artist." He nods at my explanation and strolls back towards his seat.

Jake, however, stares at me with almost a glare. He rolls his eyes and diverts his attention to his phone, where his face lights up. I try to give him a slight wave, however he ignores me. I divert my eyes to the window where I see a car pull up next to mine. Another woman gets out and strolls into the cafe. She also has long blond hair and she's wearing a long floral dress and black pumps. She's holding a folder filled with papers and she smiles at Cole as she enters the cafe. I smile at her and she looks to Cole with a confused look.

" Emma, this is my daughter Raimy," He explains as the woman enters, "Raimy, this is my partner Emma. She and her son, Dylan, have been staying with Elena and I while they resolve some family matters."

Emma smiles at me with sympathy. Her eyes are soft and her smile is light. She also pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry for what you're father did to you," She whispers before greeting me, "well it's great to meet you Raimy."