June 2005

She got it! She finally got it. Her High School Diploma. She was absolutely free. Free from the watchful eyes of her Parents, which was a whole different story all together because they believed she would stay home, marry the guy of their choosing, and live nearby when the time came. Newsflash, not going to happen. She had enough of their way for 18 years, it was her way now. The hardest part was telling them she was going to live with Randy in Missouri, the even harder part…she was leaving that day.

She walked up to her room the minute she got home and began to get ready. Randy had called and said he'd be there this afternoon. She quickly got out of her graduation outfit and took a quick shower to wash the sweat and stinch away. She got out and put on some jean Capri's, a Camisole, and her flip flops. She had use some money to pay for some new clothes. She stuck her hair back in a bun and applied some make up. Afterwards she went to her closets and pulled out her suitcases.

"Audrey sweetie, you know the guy I told you about…." Eileen cut off seeing the suitcases." Honey where are you going? ".

Audrey sighed, grow a backbone. This was harder than she thought it was going to be. If she missed anybody other than Josie it would have been her mom, they got along more so than her and her dad.

"Mama there's something I have to tell you, and I just want you to know I've made up my mind to do this".

"What? ".

"I'm moving to Missouri with Randy, I'm leaving today".

From the look on her face you would have thought she told her she was gay. Audrey stood back waiting for hell to break loose, but her mother just stared and then suddenly the tears began to gather.

"I knew it, I knew there was something more between you and that wrestler, I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt".

"Mama please try to understand that Randy and I are in love, we want to be together. Regardless of what you and dad say, we will be together".

Eileen approached and Audrey didn't whether to back up or embrace her. Eileen threw her arms around her daughter as the tears escaped.

"Honey, I don't care about you wanting to be with Randy, I sort of knew it was coming eventually, I just don't like the idea of you being that far away. Missouri is so far away from Texas".

"Mama I love you, and you can come visit whenever you want and call" Audrey said tears beginning to gather in her eyes.

"Girl, you be safe and be sure that this is truly what you want".

"It is".

Eileen hugged her again." I'm going to miss you baby. Don't forget my Wedding invitation when you set the date".

Audrey laughed." I won't".

Well breaking it to her mom was easy. Now her dad, that was whole different story.

Audrey got serious." How am I going to tell dad, he's not fond of Randy".

"Your father will get over it, if not tough. Your happiness matters more than ours. It's time he realized that".

Audrey swung her purse on her shoulder and picked up both suitcases and went downstairs followed by Eileen. She set her stuff by the door.

"Where are you going? " Clive asked from his recliner.

Audrey took a deep breath, now or never, he'd have to except it." I'm leaving dad".

"You having an extended stay over at Josie's".

"No dad, I'm leaving Texas. I'm going to Missouri with Randy…to live".

"To hell you are" Clive said getting up out of the chair.

"I am dad, my mind is made up and there's nothing you can say or do to change it. It's what I want and my happiness, you need to understand that".

"Your only screwing up your life, my only daughter a screw- up, where did I go wrong".

Audrey willed herself not to cry." I'm smarter than that dad, I'm still going to College, just not here".

"Audrey…".

The doorbell rang then cutting him off. Eileen went to the door and answered it.

"Hi Mrs. Eileen, how are you? " Randy said stepping in the house.

"I'm fine Randy".

Randy saw Audrey and smiled and she smiled back. Clive looked between them and cursed under his breath. Fine let her screw up her life, he didn't care.

"You two have a nice life" Clive said leaving the room and the house all together.

"Don't worry about him, he gets like that when things don't go his way" Eileen said.

"You going to be ok mama? he's probably going to get drunk and you know how he is when that happens" Audrey said.

"I can handle your father, come on, let me walk you guys out".

Randy picked up the suitcases and lead the way out the door. Just as they were coming down the front walk Josie was coming.

"I'm going to miss you so much" She said throwing her arms around her.

"Me too, I'm going to call as soon as I get settled and I'll send for you to visit".

"Yeah that's better and nothing".

She turned to Randy who was putting the suitcases in the car.

"You better take care of her, I don't want to come to Missouri and kill you" Josie said in a teasing tone.

"I'll do my best Josie" Randy said smiling.

Audrey hugged her mom again one last time." Take care of yourself".

"Honey I'm going to be just fine".

Audrey kissed her and then went to car where Randy was holding the passenger door open for her. She slid in and he closed the door. Josie put her arm around Eileen, as they both began to shed tears. Randy started the car.

"Remember, goodbyes are not forever" Audrey said out the window.

Randy honked the horn a few times and pulled away from the curb. Audrey waved as they drove away. She watched them until she couldn't see them anymore. She turned around facing front, this was it, the next phase of her life was now beginning.

"Are you ok" Randy asked taking her hand in his.

"I'm going to be" Audrey said giving him a small smile.

Randy smiled and brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. Audrey laid her head back. They had a long ride ahead of them. Goodbye old life, hello new.

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