Long Time, No See

II: II

Denver

"Yeah... Yes, Cathy, I'm approaching town right now... I know, it feels surreal for me too... Wait- ...Yeah, give me one sec I'm approaching the exit now..."

I watch the upcoming exit on my left, before signaling and turning into it. When I've successfully exited the highway I press a button on the dashboard and put my Bluetooth call on the speaker to give my ear a break from the pain of having an earphone in for too long.

"-even though she said that she would wait for you, I don't think we should hold our breath on that, I mean let's face it, honey, she's got the attention span of a half-witted goldfish."

I roll my eyes as my godmother's voice comes filtering through the car speaker, not surprised that though I told her to wait she continued to keep talking whilst I wasn't even listening. I follow the silent Sat-Nav's instructions to enter into less traffic infused roads and watch as the scenery around me goes from the inner city to the suburbs in a matter of minutes.

"Denver honey, you still there?" My godmother asks, her voice interrupting my musing of the scenery, bringing my mind back to the conversation and the destination I'm headed to.

"Huh? Oh! Yep still here, just trying to drive safely like you told me too, you remember, don't you? Telling me to drive safely when I left four hours ago" I smile thinly whilst subtly reminding my godmother that I literally left her this morning.

"I know! I know, I just miss you is all. You're all grown and moving to a totally new town and I still feel like you came to live with us just yesterday, dragging mud into the house with those dang football boots and eating out the fridge every week." She sighs on the other line and I smile fondly at her words.

"I miss you too Cathy. I'll make sure to set things up quickly so you and Mike can come down to mine for a visit." I promise, before slowing down as I approach a traffic light turning amber from green.

"Okay Cathy, look I'm almost there now so I'll call you back when I've stopped driving."

"Oh! Okay honey, speak to you soon! I love you Denver get there safe." She says over the line and I return the sentiment before cutting the call and stopping the car as I finally reach the red light.

The mid-morning sun beams down on the car, hitting the front glass and bouncing into my eyes. I pull down the mirror visor to block the sun, before catching my eye in the mirror. My tired hazel eyes stare right back at myself, I turn my head around and push a stiff hand through my dark brown locks of hair that falls haphazardly on my forehead before being raked back against the top of my head by my hand. I wouldn't exactly call myself handsome per se, but I know that quite a few women back home would and have done so on many occasions so...

My eye-line moves from my reflection to look at the traffic light that quickly changes from its halting red to a readying amber. Just before the light can turn green a loud ringtone sounds through the car slightly shocking me. I glance down at the touch screen dashboard to see that the caller is none other than my best friend Nigel. The sigh that leaves my mouth, physically deflates me as I ready myself for the character that is my best friend, before pressing accept and accelerating the car.

Before I can answer, the obnoxiously loud whining voice of said best friend filters through the car.

"Yo Den! Where are you man? How far away are you now? I miss you man, I can't wait for you to see the place it looks amazing!" He exclaims making me cringe and lower the volume I had up to accommodate for my softly spoken godmother.

"Hey Nige, look I'm like another ten, maybe fifteen minutes from the house, I'm coming up to the area now. I can't wait to see you too man it feels like forever since I've seen you." I grin, looking forward to seeing the closest friend I've had since I was fourteen. Thirteen years later, and Nigel and I are still brothers. I'd never tell him this of course to discourage his already large ego, but this guy really helped me during the mourning period of my parents and the anxiety-filled days that came from moving somewhere foreign.