Away From Home
I only have a few rules that I have to live by.
Most of them are apps and drinking. But one that I will never forgot, the ones I saw every single time I walked downstairs was one.
"Never go out before sunrise."
My Dad, Andrew, is not really strict. He always makes sure I do my homework before going out with my friends or whatever I want to do.
I barely leave the house on a Friday or Saturday night. I just just sit at my window, watching as the cars go by and the people.
I live in Sacramento, California. But I'm moving away for an entire year to go live with my Mom. I never really get to see her.
When I was a baby she and my Dad got a divorce and as a kid, I never really liked her. She never put any effort into our relationship, so I didn't either.
Maybe it was on me though.
"Are you ready?" Dad asks. He stood in the doorway as I folded up my final clothes, putting what little clothes I had into a few suitcases.
Dad doesn't really take me shopping. He doesn't understand what girls wore or what I like and where to even take me. I'm not mad or upset. I would just go with one friend, Leya now and then just to get some more pants or a few t-shirts.
Leaving California is going to be rough. Leaving my only friend for an entire year, leaving my dad.
"Yeah." I sat, zipping up the suitcases. Only two.
"Alright. You have a plane to catch in the next three hours. Your mom should be there waiting for you. If not, call me." Dad hands me my cell phone.
I never really use it a lot. Only to call, and text Leya or dad. Maybe an occasional netflix when I was bored.
"I'm going to miss you dad." I give him a big hug. "I love you."
"I love you too." He gives me a squeeze and lets me go. Dad's always been a little awkward. But I love him.
He helps me take my suitcases into the backseat of his truck. I climbed into the passenger seat and Dad climbed into the driver's seat, starting the car.
"Are you sure about this, Cam?" He asks. "If you're not ready for this, I can call your Mom and tell her you're not coming."
"Dad. It's okay. I'm going to miss you so much. But I will see you in one year." One whole year without my dad is going to be painful, But I want to see my mom. I want to know her.
"I'll miss you too, Cam." He says.
We drive in silence to the Airport. I look out the window, watching as rain starts to fall, just lightly...and then it starts to get harder. It's only August.
The weather is so very hot all the time in California. But there are colder days.
He parks near the curb and gets out, running to the trunk, and getting my stuff.
I take a few deep breaths, then I get out.
I will get to know my Mom. I will make the best out of this trip. To Washington, Here I come.
***
"I'm gonna miss you, Cami." Dad gives me a big hug. "I'll see you in one year."
"I'm going to call you, Dad. Every single night." I promise. One I didn't keep, but just trying to reassure him that I was going to be okay.
"Alright. Don't stay up too late. Make sure whoever you date treats you right." Dad doesn't care about the gender I date. But I didn't know what gender I want to date either.
"Bye dad." I wave him goodbye as I see his truck pull away from the curb. I'm alone, and cold.
I go into the airport. It's so still cold.
I check my bags in, and keep my backpack. I go through security with many odd looks from adults around me.
I can't look that young, can I? I'm seventeen years old. I've never flown alone before. But I'm not that scared. I'm only nervous to see my Mom.
I read online, waiting at my gate. That it takes me a moment to see that people were lining up. I put my phone into my bag and got in line.
I board the plane fine. But finding a seat closest to the window is rough. I finally found one closest to the back.
I sit down and put my bag under the seat, I put my head on the cabin wall, looking out the window. The rain had stopped, Thank goodness. The flight was delayed a few minutes.
Someone sits next to me, I only notice because there were a few grunts and a loud thump. I looked around to see the person.
A girl, a little older than me. Maybe nineteen or twenty. I text dad, saying that we were taking off, when the girl says. "Hi. I'm Lucia."
"Um..." I mumbled. "Hey."
"Sorry. I'm really talkative. How are you?" She asks me.
"Uh...I'm good." I say. She starts to talk to herself, something about the countryside and flowers.
There's a short announcement, then we start to take off a few minutes later.
I'm ready for this. I have to be ready for this. I can't not be ready for this. It's too late to get off. I'm going to leave, I'm leaving for one year.
Everything's gonna be okay. I'm going to be okay. Me and Mom are going to have a good year.
I don't even know what my Mom looks like. I forgot all about her. Dad never talks about her either.
But then we start to go faster and faster.
Till we fly away from my Life.
My home.
