Page 29 of I Survived and will rise again

The day has finally arrived.

Ash and I stand at the front door, packed suitcases waiting by our sides. Mom stands across from us, trying to hold back the tears and put on a brave face, but her emotions are on full display. Dad exudes an air of confidence and authority in his tailored suit designed by Mom. Every detail of his attire has been meticulously crafted, from the crisp white dress shirt to theperfectly knotted silk tie. Dad has the proud father look, puffing up his chest with pride, while Mom is a bubbling mess.

We have been dreaming of this day for years, but now that it is finally here, the reality of leaving our childhood home feels bittersweet. It is where we mostly grew up and made countless memories.

"Are you guys all set?" Dad clears his throat.

"Yeah," Ash and I say together.

"We'll miss you both so much," Mom adds, her voice choked with emotion.

"Ah, come on, Mom," Ash says, stepping forward and pulling her into his chest. "None of that now."

Mom hugs Ash tightly, holding him close as if she never wants to let him go. "You're going to do amazing things. We're so proud of you," she whispers, her voice breaking. "Both of you." She looks at me with a watery smile.

When Ash lets Mom go, I walk up to her and give her a hug. "It's going to be okay, Mom. We'll be back for Thanksgiving," I remind her, reassuring her that this isn’t goodbye for forever.

"You got your class schedule?" Dad asks.

"Yep," Ash says, speaking for both of us.

"Can you remind me when the first day of camp is?" Dad asks again, even though he knows the answer. It's his way of stalling, of prolonging this moment before we have to say goodbye. I can't tell if he's doing it for his own sake or on behalf of Mom, or maybe both of them. Either way, this goodbye will not be easy for any of us.

"It actually starts tomorrow," I reply, watching as Dad's face falls just slightly. I understand his hesitation to let us go. Ash picks up the suitcases and says, "We should get going, D." I nod in agreement, grab my backpack, and shoulder it. "Walk us out?" I ask our parents. As we stroll toward the car, Mom rambles about the essentials she packed, including first aid kits,Tylenol, heating pads, lotion, Chapstick, cold medication, cough drops, and laundry detergent. But I can hardly hear her voice as my thoughts are occupied with Shorty. We had an amazing time together this summer, and the idea of leaving her is tearing me up.

Suddenly, Mom's voice breaks through my thoughts. "And don't forget to call me every night."

“I won’t, Mom,” I reassure her.

With Dad's help, Ash and I load our suitcases into the trunk of his Jeep. Ash and I chuckle as Dad inspects the amount of space left in the trunk and rearranges a few items to ensure everything fits. After confirming that our bags are tightly secured, he raises the trunk door and gently closes it.

"Alright, boys, this is it," he says, his hands gripping our shoulders tightly. As he draws us each into a hug, I feel the strength of his embrace. When he finally pulls back, tears glisten in his eyes. "I'm so proud of you both," he says, his voice low and husky. "Thank you for allowing me to be your father."

A lump forms in my throat. Growing up, Ash and I didn't have a father figure until Mom married Charles. His warm and welcoming demeanor made us feel safe and loved. Over time, he became an integral part of our lives, teaching us valuable life skills and always being there to offer guidance and support. We are fortunate to have him as our dad, and we are proud to call him by that name.

"Study hard. Play harder." He gives us a pointed look and ends with a grin. "We'll make it to as many games as possible," he promises.

I nod, trying to hold back my tears, and he pulls me back for another hug. "Look after one another," he whispers, his voice tender and caring. "And stay safe."

As he steps aside, my mother fills the space, engulfing me. She cups the side of my face with her gentle hands and gives mea sad smile. "Don't push yourself too hard, my love. Focus on your health. You're going to be a father soon," she says, her voice trembling as she chokes on her last words. "Have you heard from Sadie today?"

I shake my head. "No, but I'm sure I will tonight," I reply, trying not to show the disappointment of not seeing Shorty before I leave the state.

We climb into the Jeep as Ash and I say our last goodbyes. As our parents watch us drive down the driveway, I feel a tinge of sadness at leaving them behind.

As we make our way toward the gate, a car suddenly stops abruptly in front of us, blocking our path. Ash hits the brakes, causing me to grab the dashboard tightly. "Jesus fuck!" Ash screeches.

I lift my gaze and catch a glimpse of Tia sitting in the driver's seat and Shorty stepping out of the passenger side. I hastily unbuckle my seatbelt and leap out of the car, moving toward her.

"Oh, good! I wasn't too late," she says, panting.

"I didn’t think I'd get to see you," I confess.

She seals her lips and beams. "I couldn't let you go without saying goodbye."

My fingers itch to touch her soft skin, but she spins around so fast that I fear she might fall. "Shorty!" I cry, but she chuckles and says, "I have something for you guys."

Shorty vanishes behind the car and opens the trunk, and Tia steps out of the vehicle, sitting on the edge of her window with her hands placed on the roof.

---