Together

Maybe things are starting to look up. I look out the window of the uber that is driving me by the ocean. At least we aren’t in Oklahoma anymore. As nervous as I am to start this next chapter of my life. I’m ready to leave the past behind. For good. Hoping out of the uber with my luggage, and heading towards the dorm building I make a mental note that I need to find coffee as soon as possible. After a short flight and what felt like the longest uber ever I am craving a cold brew. As I struggle with my suitcase and duffle bag an older woman with a clipboard comes running up to me very enthusiastically. “Name” she asks with a giant smile on her face. “Odessa May Russell” I give her a less enthusiastic smile back. “Lovely to meet you Odessa. I’m Suzy the dorm mom. Let me show you around!” She says absolutely dripping in positivity. “Awesome, can’t wait, but if you could call me May that would be great.” I add the last part quickly anxiety dripping from my voice with the hope that Texas is far enough away from my small town that she doesn’t recognize my last name. I’m lost in thoughts about how I should have moved further away as she goes on about dorm rules and where everything is located. Suddenly we stop at a door and I almost run into Suzy as she halts to a stop and almost runs into me. “This is your room number 204.” She hands me a folder and thankfully mentions that everything she went over is also in the packet inside. As Suzy walks away to find the next new arrival I push open the door and smile at my new room. “Time to start a new life.” I say quietly only to myself.