Unveiling Love

Chapter Two

I pushed my way out the front door at the same time Grandma and Grandpa Murphy pulled into the driveway. I waved frantically, smiling ear to ear.

All of us Murphy kids had always been close to our grandparents. I had a special connection with my mamaw and papaw. They were the greatest.

"Hey, Papaw!" I yelled when he got out of the car. My grandma was roaming around in her purse, so she hadn't opened her door yet.

I ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"I hope you weren't going to leave without coming to see us," He joked. He knew I'd never leave without coming to see them.

"Of course not!" I smiled and hugged him again. I'd miss them so much. "I was going to come over as soon as I pulled out."

"Well, we couldn't wait. We wanted to come to see you off. It's a long drive you've got ahead of you, and your grandma wanted to bring you something." He laughed when we looked at the car and saw Mamaw trying to pull a small cooler out.

"I've got it," I said, running over to help. I pulled it out and was shocked at how heavy it was. It was a little bigger than a basketball but weighed about as much as I did. "Good grief, what's in here? A body?"

I grunted and panted my way to the car, carrying whatever was inside, and placed it on the passenger seat, on top of one of my bags. I opened it and almost laughed at the amount of lunchmeat that was in there. They'd piled snacks and two cans of soda on top.

"Thank you, Mamaw," I said, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. She was shorter than me, and the top of her head only came to my nose. I took after my dad in that respect. I was a little taller than Ivy, the last time I'd seen her anyway. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"Well, I wanted to make sure you had plenty of food and stuff. I've got a bag of chips and bread in the car as well as some water, too. Phil," She glanced at him. "Would you mind bringing those over?"

Papaw went to get the other things out of the car and put them in my front seat.

"We sure are going to miss your company, Rosa," Mamaw said. She had tears in her eyes, and I hoped no one cried until I was gone. I hated seeing any of them sad and feared I'd feel so guilty that I would end up staying.

"I'm not leaving forever. I'll come back to see you guys." I promised.

My parents finally made their way outside, carrying what was left and piling it where they could into my SUV. My mom walked over and handed me an envelope, and I gave her a questioning look. "What's this?" I asked.

"Just a little money for the road. Make sure you keep your gas tank full and only stop where you feel safe." She said.

"Make sure you listen to that voice in your head if you think you should stop somewhere." My grandma added. She handed me an envelope as well, and I looked at my dad, on the fence about taking money from my grandparents. They weren't poor, but it was a weird thing to take from them. He smiled at me, telling me it was okay, and I felt he would sneak money back into her purse somehow. I'd have to text him to tell him how much she'd given me later.

Everyone was looking at me now, which made me feel anxious. I had one last stop to make before I left, and if I was going to make Maisie's lunch break, I had to hurry. I didn't want to leave them, though, my parents and grandparents. I didn't want to leave my family.

"Did you already say goodbye to your brothers and sister?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, we had lunch yesterday," I answered. I felt a lump growing in my throat and decided I needed one last hug before forcing myself into the car.

"I love you all so much," I said through the threat of tears.

"We love you, too," they each said when I hugged them. I stepped away, backing up until I got into the driver's seat. I started my car and then drove down the driveway, refusing to look in the mirror. If I saw my mom sobbing, as I knew she was doing, there was no way I was going to be able to do this. I had to pretend they each stood on their own, smiling as they watched me take a step in the direction of my future.