This Isn't Happening

Chapter 2- Arriving

We left the US early enough this morning, that it was only early afternoon when the rental car pulled into the driveway… the driveway that would soon become so very familiar.

     Ryder was finally awake and was extremely fussy- it was lunch time. I was praying I could get him fed and calmed down before the moving truck arrived. When the car stopped, I thanked the driver and attempted to grab the bags and Ryder’s car seat. Needless to say, I failed and the driver had to help me.

     Slightly laughing, I mumbled “thank you”. The driver was older in age, maybe mid fifties. He never stopped smiling. You could definitely tell he loved his job… Even if it meant hauling young moms and their sons to their new houses.

     “You’re welcome, sweetie.” His older British accent said. “You look like you got your hands full-even though he is a cutie.”

     A smile spread across my face and I kept talking even though Ryder was squirming in his seat. “He’s actually a pretty good little boy… Just hungry, so he’s gonna be a handful.”

    

     I reached for the key that was in my purse, and led the driver to the front door. When I stepped inside and turned the lights on, I was in awe. The pictures online definitely didn’t do this house justice. It was absolutely gorgeous, with big rooms and tall ceilings. I heard the driver put my bags down on the floor, and then I felt a hand on my shoulder.

     I turned around and the man was still smiling. “I wish you the best of luck.” After thanking him once more, I picked my little boy up and went to the kitchen. Thank goodness the appliances had been put installed a week ago. I needed something to heat his food up.

     Since the highchair hadn’t arrived yet, I left him in his car seat and fed him some baby food. Mashed up bananas… yikes.

     Just as he finished eating, I heard a horn sound from outside. From the kitchen window, I saw the moving truck in the driveway. There was no way I could leave Ryder alone inside, so instead of helping, I stood back and watched.

“Where would you like me to bring your stuff?” the man asked, smiling politely. Everyone here was so much nicer than the people back at home. Here, no one looked at me and rolled their eyes when they saw me with Ryder.

“Umm… just put it… wherever.” I laughed. “I’ll move it around once he goes to bed.” The man laughed along with me and began to unload the furniture my parents had bought me from the back of the truck.

A few more words were spoken between the delivery guy and me while I stood in the driveway and supervised. About an hour passed and Ryder was slowly beginning to stop giggling. A few minutes later, his eyes became heavy and he whimpered, wanting his pacifier. We definitely had to break that habit.

I thanked the delivery guy, and watched as the truck moved down the left side of the road- just something else I’d have to learn in this foreign country.

Standing there in the driveway was the first time I actually looked around at the other houses on the street. There weren’t many, but I could tell it was going to be a cozy place to raise Ryder.

I turned to go inside- it was getting dark and Ryder was sleeping- when I saw the lights of a nearby house come on. The house was directly diagonal from mine. I stood there, watching, as the front door creaked open.

A man stepped out, wearing jeans and a hoodie. He began walking towards me. Well I don’t know if he was walking to me, but he was coming in this general direction. Apparently I wasn’t aware of how close he was. It was like I was in a daze, because when I snapped back into reality, I could see every detail of his face. He looked familiar- like I’d seen him before. I just couldn’t place where I’d seen him…

Even in the darkness of the night sky, I could tell his skin had a dark compexion There was a fading blonde streak in his dark black hair.

He walked up to me and smiled… his teeth perfectly straight and white. I must’ve looked stupid standing outside in the dark, holding a sleeping baby.

“I was waiting for the truck to leave before I came over and introduced myself.” His accent was stronger than any of the others I had heard today. This familiar looking man looked at me with shining brown eyes. He looked nervous, but kissed my hand and grinned once more. “I’m Zayn.”