Hello

2

Thanks for the Memories - Fall Out Boy

"Dad," I gently placed my hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. I miss her too."

The old man half-heartedly chuckled as he wiped another tear from his face. "Nah, Billy. I just know she'd be so proud of you." I nodded and pulled him into a tight hug.

"We never planned for things to turn out like this." All the sudden,  he broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. I knew I shouldn't have insisted on coming to this beach. If my stupid brain would have remembered what day it was, we would probably be some bed and breakfast in Jackson by now, watching Jeopardy.

But no.

Me and my emotional values had to visit the wedding spot of my parents on the day my mother died.

Fucking brilliant, Ab.

"Look, dad, I'm really sorry," I began. "I shouldn't have made you come here. I just wanted to visit one last time."

With one big snuff, he collected himself and sighed.

"No, I'm glad we came." The old man put his hands in his faded leather coat pockets and gazed around. "I'm gonna miss this place."

"Yeah, me too." I sighed.

It was silent for a moment or two. Dad pulled an old hankie out of his interior pocket and blew his nose like an elephant. We both laughed - one of my favorite things to do with him.

"That's nasty." I played.

"Watch it, or I'll put this," he shifted the rag so he was holding it out with two fingers. "under your pillow tonight!"

-----

I had decided when I was a little girl that I would go to college in Tennessee, away from the base, and the muggy Mississippi weather. My family has vacationed here almost every year since I was born, so we had lots of local friends who could help me find a job. I was a people person, and I'd learned lots of tricks from Susan about waiting. Maybe that's what I could do.

As we pulled up to the little campus, everything hit me at once.
I was starting college.

Holy shit!

This was real. This was happening. Today!

My thoughts were cut short by a familiar high pitched squeal. I opened the truck door and hopped out of the cab.

"Abi!!!" I was met with a tight hug from my best friend, Lucy. "About time you showed up!" I let go of her small body and shrugged. "Hey, Gulfport isn't exactly across town, ya know." She huffed at my sarcasm and set her fists on her hips.

"Well we can go over dramatics later, let's get you unpacked!"

I turned to face my dad and hugged him.

"Welp. I guess I'll get goin' then." He said. I nodded. "Now, you know I'm always a phone call away,  okay?" I nodded again. "And, don't be foolin' around with no boys, alright? I don't wanna have to break some horny little shit's arms off."

"Dad!" I lightly hit his arm. He shrugged. "I'll be good."

"Good." With one last ruffle in my hair, the old man turned and hopped up into the cab if the truck, and slowly pulled out of the campus drive.

"Okay, let's get going! I've seen a couple cuties walking around and I wanna babe watch!" I chuckled and took my duffle bags from Lucy.

"When did you grab these?" I asked.

"Oh, when Papa Bear was preaching abstinence to that brick wall over there." She pointed to a wall across the parking lot.

"Hey, I was listening!" I feigned hurt.

"Mhmm...yeah so was the wall."

"You know,  your sarcasm hurts sometimes, Luce." I put a hand over my heart.

"One of the perks of being in my presence." She said, tossing her long brown curls over her shoulder.

-----

Once I was all unpacked, Lucy and I decided to explore the grounds (and possibly boys). We headed out the building and towards some small hills where faint pink and green stobe lights were shining. Upon reaching the top of the hills, we discovered it was in fact, a small concert. There weren't too many people there considering the size of the university - maybe a hundred or so drunken and hormonal teenagers wandered about.

Lucy excitedly grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the makeshift stage where six or so guys played various instuments and every so often sang a word or two. After a few songs a cute enough ginger with good enough taste came over and started flirting with Luce and I, offering us a few drinks. I politely declined, saying I don't drink (which I don't). But Lucy surprised me and agreed. Disgusted, I moved away from her, but close enough to keep an eye on her and help if need be.

It was then that I noticed the band's lead vocalist, a tall, lanky kid with semi-long brown hair. I stared at him for some time, but it was when he met my gaze that my brain clicked who it was. I shimmied and shoved my way to the stage, desperate to get a better view.

Sure enough, it was him.