My Place- Randall Carpio Love Story

Here's to meeting again

"Remi, darling, how is it that I had to practically rip you from my arms when we dropped you off to college and now it's like you don't even need us anymore?" Her mother's voice was theatric with its sorrowed tone.

Remi smiled as she pressed her phone into her ear as she navigated through the bustling campus. People carried boxes and duffle bags as they moved back into their dorms for the next school year. "Mom, you know that I absolutely would have loved to see you and dad over summer break but there was no way in hell that I was going to get on one of those small little air crafts all the way to Alaska. They shake, ma, I've seen videos of it." She lifted her head in a grateful nod as a boy held the door to her dormitory open. She picked up her pace to a trot to catch the door before he lost his patience.

"You didn't visit for Thanksgiving, or Christmas, then you spent the entire summer away-"

"You act like we celebrate Thanksgiving," Remi huffed as she started up the stairs. "You know as well as I do that our 'celebration' is nothing more than picking up a quick meal and eating it over the makeshift table that doubles as my old bed." She deadpanned as she slowly walked up the stairwell to her room. "Plus, Jess asked me to stay and Thanksgiving and Christmas were so much fun that I said yes, and it gave me the opportunity to pick up a couple shifts at the Blade and Chalice."

"You worked during summer break?" There was a disgusted tone to her mother's voice that made her laugh.

"Yes, mom, I worked during summer break. I almost had a full 40 hour work week once."

Her mother gasped.

Remi smiled as she pushed the fourth floor door open and walked through the chilly hallway.

"I worry that you aren't enjoying your time in college. What about all those raging parties that the movies depict? Have you gone to any of those? You're a sophomore now and I fear all you're gaining is a credited education."

Remi rolled her eyes as she lifted her shoulder to press her phone into her ear as she wrestled to get her keys out of her front pocket. "I don't have time for parties, mom. I study, work, and hang out with Jess." With her key in hand she unlocked her door and pushed it open. "This is Belgrave, it's more elite than those horrible party schools in the movies." She grabbed her phone again and switched ears as she walked into her room.

She kicked her foot back to shut the door as she made her way towards her bed. She stripped her backpack off and threw it on the foot of her bed, then she kicked her boots off and climbed onto the middle of her bed.

"Maybe we should come visit you."

Remi perked up at the idea of seeing her family. "Really?"

"We haven't seen you in a year, Remi, and if we wait any longer you'll have midterms and I know how you get close to finals."

Remi nodded enthusiastically to no one in particular. "I would love to see you and dad," She told her. "I could show you around Manhattan. We can eat at the Blade and Chalice- oh-" She straightened up as a wide smile crossed over her lips. "You can finally meet Jess, she has been dying to meet the two who procreated to make her best friend."

Her mother groaned through the phone. "Don't be so vulgar, Remi."

She giggled as she fell back onto her bed. She sighed blissfully as she looked up at the ceiling.

"You'll have to give your dad and I some time to make our way down there. It might take a week or two."

"Take your time," Remi told her as the same infectious smile pulled on her lips. "I'm just so happy I get to see you." She closed her eyes as she imagined her mom and dad. Her dad was intimidatingly tall with broad, muscular shoulders he's received after years of changing RV tires and maintaining it. Her mother was just about her height, with incredibly beautiful curls that fell to her thick waist. Both were such opposites, and yet they were perfectly hers.