MPOV (Mandahs Point of View)

It was over. My high school experience, over. It was Saturday, June 6th. I sat up in bed and took in the feeling of freedom I felt. I grabbed my cell and dialed Shawnie. "Hello?", she answered, obviously still sleeping. "What the hell! Get up! Are you even packed?", I shouted rapidly. I was very eager because you see, today was the day we left for our trip. I had recently came to an agreement with my Aunt Judy, who lived in a small town in Washington, near Seattle according to Map Quest. I lived near Detroit, MI. She had asked me if I wanted to spend my summer with her. She offered me a job at her shop and her guest house. If you could call it a guest house, it was huge. It was 2 bedrooms, a giant living room, 2 bathrooms. I immediately took advantage of the 2 bedroom situation and asked if Shawnie could come with me. She readily agreed. I think she'd been lonely ever since my Uncle Larry passed away. This summer would be amazing for her as well.

"I'm packed, I'm packed!", Shawnie claimed. "Shower, eat and text me when you're done." I told her. She agreed and we hung up. I went downstairs to grab some breakfast myself before I got in the shower and I ran into my dad. "Today's the big day, huh?", he asked. I could tell he was trying to force happiness onto his face. While he loved his sister Judy, he'd have rather kept me home to himself. "Aw Dad," I said while wrapping him in a big hug. "You knew this day was coming." I said. "I know honey." he replied. "It doesn't mean I have to be happy about it". With that he planted a kiss on top of my head.

"So, does my rolling stone want french toast?", he asked as he raised an eyebrow. "You know me so well!" I answered back, chuckling. We both ate breakfast and talked about the last year, my hopes for the summer and what he was going to do with himself while I was away. "I can deal with a summer Mandah, as long as you're coming home at the end." he laughed. My dad was older so he was already retired. I really didn't know what he was going to do without me being around all the time. I started to feel guilty for leaving him.

We finished our breakfast and I put our dishes into the sink. I ran upstairs and got into the shower. I must have gotten ready in record time today. I couldn't wait to be an adult, out on the road with my best friend...on our own. I called down to my dad for some help on getting my bags out to my SUV. I could tell it pained him to see everything I was taking. It probably looked to him as though I was never coming back. "You know how I am Dad, if I don't bring it, I'll need it." I smiled at him. He relaxed just a little.

After everything was loaded up, I got a text from Shawnie. It read "Ready!". "Alright Dad," I said, "It's time!" He made a scene, of course, I expected it.
I consoled him for a good 15 minutes before he could pull himself together. I ran into the house to make sure I had everything I needed and to grab something to drink on the road for Shawnie and myself. I came back out and my dad looked substantially more peaceful. After one last hug, I was in my SUV backing out of my driveway.

Shawnie lived about 10 minutes away so I was there in no time. She came bounding down the stairs of her porch when she saw me backing into her driveway. "Help me load these, hurry!" she yelled. She came running towards the back of my truck with her arms full of her load. "Something wrong?" I laughed. "I cannot take the sappy goodbyes, they won't stop!" she said very seriously. Apparently the guilt was eating at her, too. I laughed as I opened the back hatch for her and jogged over to her pile of bags. She was bringing as much, if not more than I was. We would be wanting for nothing apparently. The thought made me smile at how similar we were. "You have to go say a final goodbye, Shawnie." I smiled at her grimace. "We're not leaving until you do." I said, raising the pitch of my voice in a mocking manner. "Ugh!" she huffed and took off towards her front door. I could hear the faint crying sound of her mother. Ok, so she had the more awkward goodbye session, I had to admit. At least I didn't have to deal with tears.

She came back out, slowly this time, one arm stuck behind the screen door. It took me a moment to realize, her mom wasn't letting go. "Poor Shawnie." I said to myself with a smile. She finally freed herself and made it to the passenger side door. I clicked the locks and she opened it. "What's all this?" she said as she climbed in. "Road trip food, of course!" I said excited as I tossed her her drink. I had packed only healthy things, we were sticklers about that. There was no way we'd be stopping at fast food places on this trip. Shawnie smiled at the mangos I packed just for her, they were her favorite. "Thanks." she said as she smiled.

"Let's do this!" I said as I reached to shift into drive but something was in the way. I looked down and saw a white envelope. I picked it up and eyed it suspiciously. I opened the envelope and it contained a large amount of cash, a credit card and a note. "I'm so proud of you. I want you to make this a summer to always remember. Love, Your Old Dad". My eyes teared up as I shoved note towards Shawnie, who was looking confused. She grabbed the envelope and her eyes bugged. "Summer to always remember, for sure! Think of the clothes!", she said excitedly. We both laughed as I finally put the truck into drive and we pulled away. The adventure begins.

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