He Was Mine, I Was His

So it Begins...

    “I really hate that you are leaving,” I said as my mom slid two pancakes onto my plate. 

    “Marilyn, we’ve talked about this. I can’t back out now. Not for you.” Something about her words hurt. “Plus, you get to travel by yourself for the first time. Isn’t that exciting!”

    “Yeah, I guess. I just wish you would have waited until I was out of highschool. I mean it’s only one year.” I really didn’t understand. I know she was trying to do good but why couldn’t she wait? I had already lost my father, my brother left for the Marines and hasn’t written or called in nearly a year. Now my mom was leaving too for I'm not sure how long. 

    “I’m sorry. I need to get going,” she stood up and hugged me. “Be good please. Have fun. Meet some new people. Give Elizabeth and Ada hugs for me. I’ll write and call whenever I can."

    Before she walked away, she ran her fingers through my light brown hair and kissed my forehead. I got my hair from my mom though we never wore ours the same besides our bangs that curled over our foreheads. Hers was short and more curly while mine was longer, nearly down to my waist. I was one of the only girls around here with hair that long. The rest of my features came from my dad's side; my favorite, his emerald eyes. 

    My mom and I exchanged an “I love you” and she was gone. A tear fell down my cheek. Half out of anger, and half out of sadness. I quickly wiped it away. I hated crying. But then again, I’ve never met anyone that doesn't. 

    The sun was rising now. Mom and I had gotten up to have breakfast one more time before she left. I threw away the rest of my pancakes and started on the dishes. Mom was a really bad cook but I still ate everything she made just to make her feel better. I know it's evil but what am I supposed to do, tell her it sucks?

    After the dishes, I went upstairs to take a shower and change. I wore a white blouse, pale pink skirt, and white sneakers. I threw my hair up into a ponytail and did some light makeup.

    Everything I packed was already in my car so I grabbed my purse and ran downstairs. Before I left, I decided to call my aunt. 

    “Hello?” She answered after three rings. 

    “Hi Aunt Lizzy. I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving for Tulsa. I’m going to make a few stops along the way but I should be there by tomorrow night,” I explained while twirling the phone cable around my finger. 

    “Oh yay! Ada and I are so excited that you’re comin’ up. You have a meeting with some teachers Saturday morning so be here in time for that. Be safe.” she replied. 

    Ada is Elizabeth’s eight-year-old daughter. She had twins when she was eighteen but one didn’t make it. Her parents were very supportive and took care of Ada so she could go to college. Now she works night shifts at the hospital. 

    “I’ll see you soon. Love you!” 

    “Love you too! Have fun,” she replied. I hung up and smiled. I was feeling much better about this. After not seeing Elizabeth in five years, I was excited to reunite with her. 

    I grabbed my keys and went to the garage. I hopped into my black 1960 Corvette. Now don't go thinking I'm one of those rich kids. The car was my dad's and he worked hard for it. Mom gave it to me after he died. I loved the car though. It was sweet and reminded me of him. Makes me feel like he's always riding in it right beside me.

            Pops had struggled with health issues since he was a little kid and cancer ran in the family. We knew it was coming but it still hit hard when it did. He was our rock and his death sent our family into a slump both financially and emotionally. Charlie signed up for the military two months after. He didn’t ever help much with money. I had to pick up a few jobs and maintain good grades. It was hard for all of us but we got by. Mom was never the same, that's why I think she's taking this trip.