Farewell To Roscoe
I pack my bags as slow as possible as I glance at the tons of boxes stacked around the room that now looks empty with its blank walls. For eighteen years I called this room my home and it was the place I would hide out in when the world was just too much to handle. This is the exact place where I spent hours trying to write the perfect song, confessed that I had kissed my best friend's boyfriend, studied by myself for some of the toughest exams high school had to offer, and most importantly the place where I told somebody I loved them for the first time and meant it.
The last pair of jeans to my name finally find their place in the last available section of my duffel bag. I can't stand in here any longer without stalling the process that plans to move me along now whether I am ready or not. It's time to stuff the last of my bags into the back of my not so attractive used car that I was honored to put into my name not two years ago. This place may be where I got my start in life, but I doubt it will be a large chapter in any of the stages to come.
I step outside and just as I close my trunk I can feel someone come up behind me. It only takes a second for me to turn around and meet the eyes of the one person besides my parents who was there practically since the day I'd taken my first breath. Today is the day that we have to go in different directions. For once our unique goals are here to split us apart. Neither of us can follow the other without giving up what we want to do for ourself. Life will always have its ways of keeping things from turning out perfect.
"I thought that you might already be on the road. You have a longer distance to go than I do," he explains, while trying to be casual.
I pull out my key and leave it in the door after twisting it so that the car is unlocked.
"I probably should have left an half hour ago but I just got distracted, you know?" I respond, while trying not to think of good-byes.
Before I can do anything else I feel his arms around me and I have faith this is only the last hug for now. My schedule is running low on time to spare and I have to pull back. The clock isn't stopping for us and it makes me feel like cursing the guy who first decided that time was important.
"I am sorry but I really have to leave. I'll be lucky to even get to the parking lot on time. Not exactly the type of first impression I am hoping to make."
He nods his head in understanding and forces a smile. I smile in return and take a final deep breath of the familiar air that surrounds me.
"We are really only going to be a few hours away from each other. It's not an impossible drive. Even if the gas prices are a bit spendy. Keep in touch and the first time we are both free we'll get together and catch up. If that is alright with you then I'll make a promise."
I respond with a nod and hop into the seat of my car quickly, but carefully. I shut the door and roll down the window to exchange the last words. This is really it. We are both leaving Roscoe and there is not a single option of turning back. The end of the comfort in familiarity has come and the time has arrived for new experiences. The people beside us at our graduation are no longer our concern. Each of us has a turn to pave our own adult path now.
The door behind me is closed and locked. Now it is time to search for the one in front of me that I have the key to open.
With the beginning of a new era that has come upon, an old era with be remembered but has surely gone.
FINAL NOTE:
This was just a small piece of closure I felt inspired to write. I guess you could say it has double meaning, because it is not only a story but also is sort of a personal farewell to this section as a writer. You may review if you feel the need to do so, but I mainly wrote this one for myself. So...
This is Criminal Insanity aka Crizzy4rfr aka reviewchick14. Signing Off.
