50 Shades of Green

Portland

We arrived at my new apartment in Portland. Mist and rain fills the air and I love it. My mother gets out of the truck and walks toward the apartment.

I stay behind to collect my things out of her truck and step outside. I make my way toward the u-haul and unlock it.

My other returns with the keys to the apartment and hands them to me.

"So here's the keys to the apartment"

Her eyes start to water and I begin to cry as well. She gives me a hug and walks towards the u-haul.

"I can't believe my boy is leaving for college. I always knew you'd leave but it all just happened so quickly. Just yesterday I held you in my arms, took you to baseball games, took you out for FroYo and now, my little boy is all grown up. You're going to make a great student here sweetie. Your dad would have been so proud of you, but I bought he's smiling down on you at this very moment."

I feel a heavy weight deep down in my chest. I love my mother with all my heart and the thought of not seeing her for awhile is agonizing.

"Mom, I'll still see you. I'll come and visit whenever I can. Ill make sure to visit during thanksgiving and other breaks."

"Well, okay"

"Okay"

I give her a hug, trying to hold back my tears, for the last time. She gets into her truck and drives off into the sunset. I collect the remainder of my things and head into the apartment. I scream the moment I walk into my apartment. I am surprised by my mothers life size Shrek replica. After realizing it's just a statue, I calm down and collect my bag I dropped in surprise.

I look at the statue in awe and wonder why my mother would leave it here. I see a small notecard from the corner of my eye in Shrek's hand.

"Hey Jimmy!

I know I should have told you about leaving my Shrek replica here but I wanted to leave you a surprise. I hope you didn't get too surprised like last time on Halloween. I hope you take care of him like I have over the years.

P.S. Whatever you do make sure you don't pu"

The page got torn off so I couldn't read the remainder of the note. What could the rest of the note have said? I'm pretty sure if it was torn it wouldn't be that important, I mean, my mother is very overprotective anyways.

I think she put the Shrek next to the door on purpose. The thought of the time she scared me with this Shrek statue still haunts me. I dismiss the memory from my mind immediately. I wouldn't want to think of that right now.

I go into my room and unpack my luggage. Luckily my plaid shirts didn't get too wrinkled from the journey. My stomach groans. I'm guessing from hunger since I haven't eaten anything all day. I walk into the kitchen and prepare some ramen noodles.