Stranger with the Stars

Moving In

When I went back to Dad’s to grab my stuff and start piling into the truck. He was waiting outside. He sat on a camping chair with a drink in a thermos. I didn’t have a great connection on my way down. I did let him know via text that I was on the way, but I didn’t expect him to be waiting for me to come home. I parked Borus on the side street, making sure it wouldn’t wake him. I walked up as quietly as I could across the gravel.

“Dad? Hey, Dad?” I gently called. I shook his shoulder gingerly to wake him. He jolted awake, rapidly looking around for a threat.

“Dad, it’s just me. Why are you out here?” I questioned. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t exactly a pleasant place to sleep.

“Oh, that. I was waiting for you when I fell asleep I suppose. Cheryl keeps starting arguments, so I was able to come out here for some peace and quiet.” He went from a sleepy grumble to more clear. He stood up, taking a moment to stretch before folding the chair up.

“Thank you. You should go to bed. It’s pretty late. This isn’t how you should be spending your night.” I teased him as we walked towards the door.

“I’ll spend each night making sure you’re safe.” He turned to face me. His soft features only showed worry. 

“I’ll always be okay. Don’t worry. I’m more worried about you waking up covered in ants.” I tapped the chair he was holding.

“More like angry neck muscles. I’d live.” He dropped the chair off by the front door before heading in. I closed the door gently to make sure to not wake up Cheryl if she had been sleeping.

“So, when can I see it?” He whispered to me as we made our way down the dark hallway.

“You know?” I shouldn’t be surprised, he always knew what was going on.

“You wouldn’t have been gone for that long if you didn’t find something.” He was right.

“It’s not close. About fours hours away to be exact…” I trailed off, fumbling with my bedroom door handle.

“You’re right, it’s not close.” He gruffed.

“Are you mad?” 

“No, I trust you’ll make the right choice. Just promise me that if something goes wrong, or that you want to come home, that you will. At least go to your uncles. I don’t know how much longer this will be home for either one of us..” He whispered while I entered my room. He stood at the door frame, looking sadly back to the bedroom he shared with Cheryl further down the hall. My lamp dimly lit the room, illuminating his sad smile.

“What do you mean?” I whispered back.

“Just a lot going on. When I figure it out, I’ll let you know. For now, get some sleep. I’ll help you pack up the truck, but I can’t promise I can come see wherever it is for a few weeks. It’s going to get a little harder for a while. That doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Promise to call.” He gazed off into the dark hallway again. 

“I promise. Just wait till you see it. I could just feel it was right.” I smiled at him.

“You got your Daddy’s brilliance, of course you felt it. Goodnight, kiddo.” He smiled at me before gently shutting the door. I could hear him sigh before walking back towards the living room. I guess it was one of those nights for them. 

I flopped on the bed. Everything was packed and ready. All except the shame corner. I’d just tell them later that I ‘forgot’ to take that stuff with. The remaining clothes left here only filled up about two big trash bags. The things at Uncle Eren's would be ready for me. I could just go pick it all up tomorrow. The backseat to the truck was big enough to house any bags, while anything bulky or boxy would be fine in the bed. 

I sent out Uncle Eren a quick text to let him know I’d be by in the morning for my stuff. He responded saying he was out of town with some clients and was sad he wouldn’t be able to see me, but that he packed everything for me earlier. I could just use my key to get in. 

I could be fully moved in and done by Friday, that way on Saturday we could focus on Archie. I had called the furniture store to let them know of the new address, I’d leave tomorrow afternoon to lead them to the house. 

For now, it was my last night here. I took a deep breath looking over the plain walls. It had been my home. We never fully bought it, but the landlord treated us well. I was ready to leave the nest. 

It was time. 

_______________________________________

I slept in. I could hear Cheryl and Dad leave for work. It was an oddly quiet leave compared to the week before. I wasn’t going to complain, it allowed for me to sneak Sparky in to come sleep with me for a while. He was more than happy to keep my company during all this packing and whatnot. He was my special boy, who no matter what, always loved me. Dad and I had an agreement, if something happened where he had to leave the house or move, I’d gladly take Sparky. The only reason I wasn’t now was because of how much Dad needed him. It would be cruel to not only move away, but then to also take his furry best friend.

Everything fit in the truck and bed easily, with much room to spare in the back. There wasn’t any wall art to worry about being careful with. My valuables sat in a bag in the front seat. Filled with some jewelry, photos, and some saved funds. I made sure it was out of view from anyone who may happen to try and sneak a peek. If they did, it looked like a basic college kid move. 

I swung by Uncle Eren’s. True to his word everything was neatly packed in the living room, with a note on top telling me how much he loved me and was proud of what I was doing. I double checked the guest room to make sure nothing was left, but it was clear. Adding the additional boxes and bags to the truck, took up the remaining backseat space. Everything in the bed was strapped down, with the good ole ‘this isn’t going anywhere’ test. 

The furniture company called, ready to make the drive. I made a deal to buy the entire bedroom set, and a living room set. For their end, they’d set everything up for me and drive it all the house, free of charge. Regularly it would have been an additional chunk of change, but it was a pretty good interaction, thus allowing my little bit of help. I hadn’t gotten anything for Archie’s room. I also would need to get a dining room set, some bar stools for the kitchen, and a good TV for the living room. 

I shot Archie a text asking what he planned on bringing, but I don’t think he was up yet. With the moving company following me, we made the serene drive up north. We did stop once or twice for coffee and a bathroom break. Other than that, we made pretty good time. We were up at the house by noon. The furniture was placed and assembled by two. 

While the furniture company put things together, I placed all the bags and boxes in their needed areas. I had a few throw blankets I left on the newly placed couches. They were a set of two, they were much larger than I expected, filling up the room perfectly. There was a small coffee table with an end table to place between the corner of the two meeting couches. The bedroom set was absolutely perfect. The headboard was a soft gray velvet, with low feet. Meaning I could throw myself onto it dramatically, and not worry about random cracking. The king bed really rang true, I sprawled out barely reaching each edge.

The two nightstands and dressers were black with the gray marbled through. I had purchased a rug for the room that was a fairly light purple. It added some color to the room. Later I’d have to figure out some wall art, or change the wall color. For now, I had curtains to match the rug, and some new lamps to pair on the nightstands. 

My hangers however… They didn’t take the move well. They were all old and cracking. Most are not even able to hang a shirt. That would give me an opportunity to swing by a*****e. I gave Archie a call, who answered quite groggy. 

“Yeah?”

“Hey gorgeous, are you able to help me make a trip to the store? It’s gonna be a big one. I need groceries, a new TV, some hangers, and probably a vacuum.” I was making a mental list wandering through the living room.

“Sure. Just come get me. You know my baby car won’t fit all of that. Do you think my bed will fit in the other room?” I could hear him getting up, fumbling around.

“It’s pretty big. Furniture won’t be a problem. My king bed barely makes a dent. I would say that we are gonna need a dining room set or some bar stools.” 

“Oh that’s no biggie. I can take care of that. I can’t promise it’s new, but it will be clean.” He mashed into the phone. I assumed he was getting a shirt on. 

“Ok. I leave that to you. Otherwise, I got the living room covered. I don’t own any wall art or anything, so don’t be mad at the white walls. They aren’t naked, they’re tastefully free.” I grabbed my keys, making my way out the door. 

“Gross. We can fix that later. Shooting you the address for my parents house now. See you soon.”

“Byeeee.” I sang into the phone.