We declare our work on packing and cleaning done just before eleven. Sweaty and gross from the labor, we decide to conserve water by taking a quick shower together. The playful and sexy banter we enjoyed last night continues into this interlude as well. I realize though, that the mansion's shower with its bench is far kinder to those trying to get off than this narrow bathtub with a sliding door. I try to remember what our new place's shower situation is like, but it's been so long that I can't recall and I vow to find out first thing when we get there. Sexy showers with Zach are my favorite way to bathe now and I don't want to have to stop because it's not logistically possible. Eventually we get out and dry off, and I wipe down the shower again.
Zach heads to Del Taco to grab us a bite since there's virtually nothing to eat here. I look over at the "toss" pile, which has grown considerably. Peeking out from a cardboard box with several other pieces of cardboard inside, is something I haven't seen in over a decade. I can't believe he still has it. Or that he's throwing it away now, I think. I go over to pull out Zach's Red Thread board where he explained the legend to his grade school class. It's weathered a bit since I last saw it. The drawings are still impressive when I think of his age at the time he drew them, and seeing them again, I can see the evolution of his abilities. I consider it for less than a second before I pull it out of the trash heap and take it to my car. I stow it safely among some of the boxes and other things I have already packed up. It's too precious to me to be discarded. I don't know what I plan to do with it yet, but I am sure as hell not ready to consider it garbage.
Zach returns with food and we eat on the steps outside the front door. The weather is great and we talk about what kinds of furniture we'll need for our new place.
Tori arrives with Cody and my heart feels its fullest now that he's returned to us. I pat his head as he hugs me fiercely. Tori uninstalls the safety seat and Zach puts it in his car, and I decide one of the things we'll be ordering to be delivered is a second car seat for Cody so I don't have to waste precious time with him struggling to place it correctly. Hiring movers does that to you — you want to make the difficulties as easy as possible so you have all the time in the world to truly enjoy the good stuff. I fully intend to enjoy all the good moments with this family we've assembled.
Soon after Tori departs, we say goodbye to the San Pedro house for the day. Zach follows me back to my parents' place to drop off my car. I grab the keys for our new place from my cup holder and I hop into his Jimmy so we can go visit our future home together. During the drive, Cody regales us with stories about his sleepover. I give directions to Zach. As we get closer, pulling off the freeway, I decide to take us the long way home, to show off the area and savor this feeling of absolute perfection. I identify the on-ramp and direction Zach will need to go to get to CalArts. We pass the school Cody will be enrolled in. I point out the building where my agent works and we pass the grocery store, an art supply store, and a couple playgrounds that are definite points of interest for Cody.
I know it will be a couple days before we are officially moved in, but pulling into the drive feels momentous in the best possible way. Cody jumps out and is looking at the trees ("good for climbing" he insists) and assessing the play potential of our yard area. I scoop up this precious boy and hand the keys to the equally-precious man to unlock the door. He squeezes my hand as he opens the front door, wrapping his arm around my waist as I hold onto Codes so we can, together, enter this new home that will be our launchpad, our safe space, our shelter.