You x Why Don't We

The Boy Next Door (Josie x Daniel)

Astoria, Oregon
June 12th, 2004
2:37am

"Mama?" I stared up at my mother with my my big brown eyes, tugging slightly at the hem of her green overcoat.

She turned her head to look behind her, placing a hand on my light brown hair and softly mussing the shoulder length strands. "Go to sleep Josie" she said to me, no emotion laced in her voice as she removed her hand from my head and pushed off mine that I had placed on her jacket.

"I can't sleep mama" I said back, looking down at her feet. Her black winter boots were laced perfectly, ready to face the cold of the outside. She had on thick jeans as well as an army green winter beanie that matched her jacket perfectly.

"Go find papa" she said again facing the door as she placed gloves over her bare fingers.

"Can I go on a walk with you"

"Josie, go find your father"

"But I had a bad dream"

She sighed before turning around and kneeling to my level. She placed her gloved hands on my cold shoulders, the warmth of her fingers sending shivers down my spine. "Josie, please never forget that I love you so much. You mean the entire world to me... but I have to go... I love you though".

"I know! I love you too!" I nodded my head and smiled wide. She slowly stood up and turned towards the door, this time throwing on a backpack over her shoulder and grabbing the suitcase placed next to the doormat.

She turned around once more, a sad smile on her face as a tear fell down her cheek. All I did was look at her confused as she turned the doorknob, stepping onto the front porch.

She gave one final sigh as she closed and locked the door behind, blocking my view from her for forever.

At that point I completely forgot about the nightmare I previously had, the confusion of the entire situation taking over my four year old mind. So, I went back to my bed and pulled the sheets over my small body.

Astoria, Oregon
February 14th, 2005
3:12pm

I stepped off of the bus and ran into my dad's arms as he stood by the old tree at the corner of our street. My sky-blue backpack was hung loosely around my small shoulders, the straps made for someone much larger.

"Hey Josie, how was your day" he laughed out gently. Stroking my hair as I held onto him.

"Good. We made valentines today, and I made one for you." I said smiling up at him. He smiled back, patting my shoulder once I began to let go.

He then turned to the other mom standing at the bus stop, talking to her daughter. "Bye Sarah, bye Mary".

I followed his example and turned to them as well. "Bye Sarah, bye Mrs. Harris". They both said their goodbyes as well, leaving us to walk down the street to our house.

"Why are there trucks here" I asked, scrunching my face in confusion. I held the bottom of my backpack strings with my thumbs, pulling the backpack forward so that it would fit on my back more precisely.

"Today's moving day sweetie, I told you this morning." He looked down at me with sad eyes but a smile still plastered on his face. "That's why you gave your teacher that note, and you brought in cupcakes."

"Oh yeah" I sighed, shifting my weight from my heels to my toes, rocking back and forth.

"Hey princess don't get so down" dad said lifting me up and holding me on his waist "the new town is super beautiful and while the house isn't as big, it'll be the perfect size for just the two of us". He then tickled my stomach with his free hand making me giggle is response.