Finding Myself

Alone... for now

"So, what should we have for dinner?" Mindy asks coming into my room. I close my laptop and look at her. After Sam left I wondered around the neighborhood to get more familiar with my surroundings then came back and hung some of the things we got from the store yesterday up, making my room feel more like home.

"Whatever you guys want." I say. I had my left overs from last night for breakfast and lunch since Mindy was working on things for work and Tom wasn't home.

"Well, I have to go into work in a few minutes and Tom isn't going to be home until late." I look at my closed laptop and nod. She would try and call him every night before she went to bed but he would only answer every few days because his work was more important to him.

"Isn't there a grocery store down the road?" I ask and she nods. "I can just walk there. I could use some fresh air anyhow."

"Let me go get some money..." She turns to leave but I speak up before her foot goes out the door.

"No, its fine. I still have money in my account." I say and she looks at me. I used to have a job back home that I worked four days a week at for ten dollars an hour. It wasn't that bad of a job, it relaxed me in a way. Plus, everything from my parents accounts went into a savings account under my name, since they left it for me in the will.

"Are you sure...?"

"I'm fine, Aunty. You should get going before you're late." I say and she nods. The traffic down here is horrible, or at least that's what Tom says.

"Your mom was right," She moves a strand of hair from my face. "You are very responsible. But if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call me."

"I won't." She kisses my forehead, as she always does before we go to bed or leave each other for even a few hours.

"I will see you in the morning. I'm going to make some delicious pancakes." She says and I laugh to myself.

"I'm counting on it." She walks back to the door.

"Try to keep yourself busy while I'm gone." I nod then she leaves the room. After a few minutes I look out the window next to my bed and see her car driving away. My first time alone in this new place. I haven't been alone for a while, since Mindy would never leave my side after reading something about traumatic experiences leading to suicide. I guess she was smart on that.

I look over my shoulder at the desk towards the edge of the bed where my radio and ear buds lay. Snatching my ear buds I turn on my phone and leave the house. Screw being alone. Shuffle turns on and Funny Little Creatures by Nothing More comes on making my walk to the store ten times better. Everything is better with a good song and the sun shinning on your back.

The grocery store is a small family owned shop that has everything you need. My family has always believed in going to more locally owned businesses then going to the big market stores that make thousands of dollars.

"Hello!" Someone says at the register when I walk in. I look over and smile at the elder Hispanic lady at the register then walk to the back where pre-made food is. I grab a few things to eat then go up and pay. "I've never seen you before."

"I just moved here." I inform her. She nods with a smile then hands me my bags.

"Well, welcome to the neighborhood. Some of the neighbors just keep to themselves, but the rest are friendly... well except for that Sam kid. Him and his friends are a bunch of rascals." I just nod and laugh inside. Is she talking about the Sam I just met? Like Owens friend Sam? Older ladies think every teenager, especially the wild ones, are a threat to society.