It has been a long day. 5 hour flight from the west coast and a hour drive from the airport. I glance out the window and am surrounded by childhood memories that I seemed to have repressed over the years. I look out of the window just in time to see a sign that says 'WELCOME TO JONESBORO'. I feel like I am in hell. How could this possibly be any worse. We pass a Wal-Mart and other stores before turning down what seems like another endless highway. The car pulls down a long gravel driveway that leads to a small one story white house with blue shutters. All I can think is there is probably only one bathroom. I shutter at the thought of having to share a bathroom with another person. There is a small make shift swing shifting silently in the hot summer wind, it looks like it hasn't been used in years.
The driver stops the car and I pay him $100.00 plus $20.00 tip for bringing me into the middle of bum fuck egypt. I open the back door and swing my stilletto cad foot into the gravel dirt wincing at the sound of it under my heels. Dirt, ugh. Who would want this disgusting shit? The wind catches my hair as I unload my final bag. I am ashamed to set my luggage of the ground but why would I expect any different. I look at the small house and watch the shutters drift back and forth.
It is small and quiet compared to home, well what was home. It has been six weeks since my life was turned upside down. Six weeks since my mama told me I had to come live with my dad. Six weeks since I had to say goodbyetto everything I had known. Why in the hell would she think that I wanted to live with him. My estranged father whom I haven't seen in 14 years. I sigh deeply not understanding my mother's untimely choice to send me off. I mean this is my senior year! I have to spend what is supposed to be the best time of my life in a completely new place with no friends and a dad I barely know. Thanks mom, thanks a ton. A heavy sigh escapes my lips and I drag my self to the front door. I look down to see a dirty crooked welcome mat from the 90s. I supress the urge to straighten it. Damn this OCD! Damn this place! And DAMN THAT WOMAN FOR SENDING ME TO AMERICA'S BOOT!
I take a deep breath and knock on the door, not feeling comfortable enough to just open the door and walk in. I can hear heavy footsteps getting closer and closer to the door. I want to close my eyes not know what to expect and praying the this was the correct address. The lock jiggles and the door slowly creeps open as I see the man who may as well of abandoned me. He really hasn't aged that much. At 35 he could pass for 30. He is 6'1 with thick jet black hair, a black goatee and thin glasses. He looks as though he was been working in the sun his entire life with a permanant farmers tan and thick calluses on his finger. He smiles at me and his teeth are slightly crooked and stained by ciggerettes andcoffee. He smelled musky with sweat and smoke. I smile back at him not quite knowing what to do or say. I stare at the crooked welcome back and think that this is the next year of my life.
"Well hey there Sammi! You look so much different than I remember. Of course I havent gotten a picture of you since ya' were 10" He said looking out at the trees. I never knew he got my letters or pictures. He didn't ever write back so I assumed that he didn't want to speak to me. "Yeah, I did Dad. That's what happens when you grow up.' I said dryly. He dropped his head and looked behind him. "Well let me show you to your room, I didn't know what you really liked so I got a friend of mine to help me pick out stuff for your room." I nodded and followed behind him through the old house.
I look at my surroundings as I walk through the barely furnished house. Pictures of myself line one side of the wall and dead animals cover the other side. I shiver thinking about seeing it everyday. We walk into a medium sized room. My new room. Oh My God. There is nothing on the walls, a bed, a side table and a desk. The bed has a black and purple polka dotted comforter set. An old computer is resting on the desk nexted to a basic lamp.
"I know it isn't much..." He kicks at nothing. "It's fine dad, thanks" I mumble. He shows me to the bathroom which is well kept for a man that lived by himself. "I will let you get settled in, and then we will got to eat when you are ready" He is beaming with delight. The thought of his long lost daughter living with him must be exciting for him. All I could do is count the days until school, so I can count the days until graduation. He left a few minutes ago and I still havent found the strength to unpack.
When I unpack. Then it is real....
