The Boy with Bad Habits

Chapter 73

Turning the key ultimately starting the car, I had to get a hold of my emotions. It was dangerous driving in such a distraught and disoriented state. Putting it in reverse, I believed to have floored it recklessly out of the complex not really paying attention to unwarranted risks.

My initial thoughts were that she most likely would have utilized the nearest airport that I had come from when getting to Virginia for the first time. When I got to a red light and slowed to a considerable speed, I glanced to my right. Thoughts from when Willow and I came back from the cookout swirled in my head. So many memories racked my brain.

Why did I have to mess so many things up? No matter where I went, misfortune and disaster followed. All I truly desired, was the ability to see the ones I love happy and for me to be happy. Yet everywhere I turned, someone or something had proven to seize any sensation of merriment in its wake while I continued to keep my head held high in utmost confidence thinking maybe it'll  be different. Maybe things will build high enough up that it won't have the capabilities of being torn down. Very few people came into my life and actually stayed, I suppose I'm to blame for that.

When I took the nearest exit out of Hanover to reach Union Airlines, I grew distressed. How this would play out would determine everything. Willow may have no thought in her mind to even consider my predicament. She could have already left. One could only hope for the best.

As I did a total 360 of the steering wheel to turn in, there had been a hotel nearby. And how coincidental had it been that something hollered at me to inch my head a little over to the left. There she was. Not on a plane to Italy, not with another guy, not downing herself in booze, just loading her items onto a dolly. Waiting patiently for the bellboy to place her bags and give her the okay that she was set for whatever would happen next.

I jerked the wheel over and pulled it off to the side. That was her. This was my slim chance to make it right. Sitting stationary, gripping the wheel until my knuckles turned white, I chose to ease my nerves. Even after all that time, Willow ejected butterflies to bounce around my abdomen just from the sight of her. I couldn't help but look. Appearing as nothing short of a business woman, the distance was far but I still had an open view. Wearing a more sophisticated pea coat, fitted in a pair of ebony dress pants clutching a beige purse to her waist; she was a sight to behold.

Even from afar I was aware of the attention she got from the bellboy. She was much too naive to notice, peering around and observing her many surroundings. Pressing the gas as a signal for how much I missed this girl, I had to get there. Before my window of opportunity, would be blinded by a set of permanent curtains.

Cutting a few people off and hearing more profanities, I made a u-turn in the middle of the bustling intersection. Of course I ran over a curb in the process.

The hotel was packed and I had to be sure to always keep tabs on her whereabouts at the bench upon actually getting there. Parking spaces grew less and less, even the 'no parking' spots were an uproar of vehicles. Good ole Ace here parked in the comfy grass.

Rolling my eyes at this current situation, I turned the key in the opposite direction and shut the 1999 green Honda off. What a good car. After all these years, she still ran.

Jerking open the screechy car door and hearing the crank of deterioration thanks to time, I nearly collapsed onto the ground  I was so hellbent on getting there. An obnoxiously large truck blocked my view, "Fuck," I muttered to myself.

Finding my way was proving to be a grave struggle as I constantly had to dodge people pulling suitcases out of their trucks and baby strollers carelessly pushed off to the side. It came along with the struggle of staying at a hotel which was to be expected. Seemed as though luck was on my side that I was able to avoid any collisions or mishaps that would no doubt cause havoc.