Trust Me

Life is easy. Well, at least the thought of it is. You’re born, you live a little, then you die. The actual living of life is when things get a little tricky. For example, moving. It’s a hassle and very well can impact the rest of your life. But Dot couldn’t be bothered to care. She may be moving from the only home she’s ever known, but she didn’t really have any attachment to it. Not the foundation on which her house stood, nor the neighbors who could never seem to mind their own business. As long as the stars followed her wherever she be, she was content. That’s what we aim for, right? Contentment? The house was barren, seemingly no one had lived in it in years. Though that was far from the case. A stack of boxes lay by a chocolate front door, “These the last of ‘em?” A man, about 5’2 with black graying hair asked. The woman, 5’6 with thick brown hair nodded. She did a final sweep, checking they hadn’t forgotten anything before meeting the man back outside the house. “223 NorthBrook Haven, right?” The man pulled out his phone, tapping away on it. The woman smiled, “That’s right. Remember, we’re meeting at the Inn outside of Weiser. Drive safe,” The woman kissed the man, then entered an ‘86 Dodge Caravan. In the passengers seat sat a young woman. Her dark brown hair flow just under her ribs, her green eyes closed. Considering the relaxed look on her face, she lie either asleep or on the cusp of falling. The woman brushed some of the girl’s brown hair out of her face. Turning the ignition she followed the moving van her husband had just pulled out of the drive way. An hour into the drive, the girl fluttered open her eyes. Stretching her arms as far as she could in the small vehicle, she let out a nearly silent yawn. “Well good morning, Dotty.” The woman teased, “So nice of you to join us.” Dot rolled her eyes, “Never gets old mom.” She grumbled, laying her head back on the cool window. The woman only smiled, looking over at her daughter before shifting her gaze back to the road. “Are you hungry?” Dot shrugged, pulling her phone out of her pocket. “Probably.” Her mother snorted, “How concise.” Dot huffed a breath, the smile adorning her face meaning it meant to be a chuckle. “I just woke up, don’t know if I’m hungry yet.” She explained. Her mother hummed, the car then being sent into a prolonged silence. The hum of the highway was loud beneath Dot’s ears. Her head being against the window making it that much more powerful. She could feel the rush of the wind beneath her check, but also hear as every little pebble hit the underside of their car. Maybe a thousand trees had passed by Dot’s eyes before she heard the familiar tune of Katy Perry’s Firework. Her head swiveled to the side to see her mother obnoxiously yelling all the words in a high pitched tone, waving her arms sporadically in every direction. “CUZ BABY YOU’RE A FIREEEWORK!” Her voice was several octaves off key- but in a sense that was freeing. Freeing and totally embarrassing for the teen. She hid her face in her hands, no doubt a hot red faced grimace coating her features. “C’mon sing with me Dotty, this used to be you favorite song,” “Nah, I-I’m good.” She muffled through her sweaters thick fabric. Though Dot couldn’t see, her mother looked quite crestfallen. She missed when they were silly and sing poorly. When Dot felt free enough to embarrass herself. She’s just a teenager, Margot, she’ll get back there eventually, The mother would remind herself. She sighed and turned down the song, humming along to it as they pulled up to a gas station. “D’you want any snacks?” She asked whilst grabbing her purse. “I’m alright, thanks mom.” Dot gave a tired smile whilst Margot exited the car, heading for the gas pumps. Dot closed her eyes. It was the perfect nap weather, warm and very close to raining. Beautiful, really. Minutes passed and again Dot was on the verge of drifting off. What else is there to do for a child on a road trip? Look at trees? Margot opening her car door however, startled her out of the relaxed state. “$3.88 a gallon, can you believe it?” Margot huffed, adjusted her seatbelt and turned her ignition. The car stuttered but didn’t start. At least not at the first turn. The second turn of her key and the vehicle sputtered to life.