Summer in North Carolina (Hayes Grier)

Chapter 18

I put the last box into the moving truck. I turned around at my old house. My whole childhood was spent here. Now I'm leaving memories, my best friend, my school, my dance studio, and my mother and father's grave behind. I'm moving to Indiana, where Taylor will become my brother and the Magcon family will officially become my family.

"Ready Dev?" Taylor asks as he hops into the car. I nod my head and sat down on the seat. He backed up and I squeezed my eyes shut. This was it, my last moment calling this place "home".

I open my eyes and remember. The floorboard.

"Taylor! Stop!" I scream and jump out of the car. I run to the door barge in. I look around the barren living room and think. I envision my memories, coming through the door behind me with trophies larger then me. I envision playing with Barbies with my mom on the bright red carpet in front of the couch. I  envision those special days I had with my father, before he died. I run to my mom's old room and pull up a loose floorboard about five feet from the door. 

In it I find three things. My dad's wedding ring, a framed picture of my parents on their wedding day, and an envelope with my name on it. I slip the ring on my finger, set the photo on the floor next to me. I put the floorboard back in place before slowly tearing the envelope open. I close my eyes and reach in. I feel a small picture. I pull it out and examine it. It was of me on my first day of dance. I was wearing a pink leotard with a black skirt and my hair in pigtails. I was holding a small purple dance bag with DEVYN written on the front. I was grinning widely with my head cocked to the side. I flipped to the back side and it said Devyn Emersyn on her first day of dance.

I took a deep breath and reached into the envelope again. I pulled out a lined piece of notebook paper and unfolded it. It was my dad's handwriting. It read:

Devyn Emersyn,

I write this to you to read when I'm gone. I'm not sure when that day will come though. I'm in the hospital with your mommy and you. You were born about two hours ago.

I want you to know, your mom and I love you no matter what happens. We love you unconditionally.

Now, here I go.

If I'm not here to see your first day of school, I know you will be great.

If I'm not here to see your first date, tell the boy to have you back by 9.

If I'm not here to see your first boyfriend, tell the boy to be good to you.

If I'm not here to see you graduate, I'm so very proud of you.

If I'm not here to see you get married, tell the MAN to respect you.

If I'm not here to see my first grand babies, tell them to behave for you.

And if I'm not here to see you grow into a beautiful women, I'm sorry.

I love you so much Devyn Emersyn.

Love, Daddy.

I fold the paper back up and shove it back into the envelope. I cry. I just cry. 

I'm tired of people saying 'it'll get better'. I just want someone to say, 'you know what? That sucks. It really sucks'. 

Taylor knocks on the door. "Devyn, we really need to get going."

I nod and pick up the picture. I hold it tight to my chest and take one last look. 

Goodbye.