Het wild imagination

Always lost

Chapter 3

As I sat in the car, all I could think about were the stories I was going to tell my sisters, especially my immediate elder sister, since she loved hearing stories a lot. I couldn't wait, especially when I knew it was going to be a long drive. “Do you need anything?" He asked, since we were driving through the Mandarin market, a popular market in Jacksonville known for its amazing local boutique. I wanted a sweater for my grandmother when she was going to buy a few clothes for me. I as like a tradition for us. There is no way my grandma would send me back home without new clothes and shoes. These are some of the things I gladly look forward to whenever I go to visit her, and sometimes she doesn't let me pick what I want, because she just wants to be the one that gifts me something out of our own choice and, even though I really don't like the clothes you guessed to me, I never turn it down because I always see how happy she is whenever I say thank you and I accept whatever she gives me.

“Thanks Dad, but I don't need anything right now. Maybe we could stop at the next restaurant to eat. "I'm starting to get hungry" I said. “No problem", he replied to me.

My dad was kind of a different person whenever it's just the two of us. Not that he doesn't care, but you know, he kind of never gives you so much attention to wanting to stop by at the market to get you something except he planned for it but why on a drive to somewhere it doesn't really do that, but whenever it is just us he tries to pay a little more attention to me or maybe because he missed me since I've been away for over two weeks I don't know but I kind of do enjoy it

Citing the next restaurant, he gently pulled over, “So what do you want to eat?" He asked as he opened the door and got down. Like me, “Anything" I said as we both walked into the restaurant.

We found an empty table and sat down. I looked around the restaurant though it was not that big, but sure it was comfortable and warm. I smiled to myself, wondering what it would feel like running in a beautiful place like this. I was just about to drift into my world imagination when I was interrupted by my father's voice.

“Anna, I think we should order fried fish and shrimp,” he said, looking at the menu and then looking up at me waiting for my answer. “No problem,” I said as he gently waved his hand, and the waiter approached us with a smile on her face.

“Good day sir, you are welcome. What can I get for you both? She asked my father to place the order while I was satisfying my eyes, scanning every corner of the place. “That will be all, thank you”, my dad said, and she thanked him and walked away. Shortly after she returned, placing the meals on the table, she turned and said to me “I hope you enjoy your meal dear.” I smiled and thanked her.

I began devouring the food and, honestly, it was amazing. “Do you like it?” my dad asked with a mouthful of food. “Yes, it is so delicious” I said, and he smiled, as I could see this satisfaction in his eyes.

“Well, you better already be up here. "You know we still have a long way to go”, he said, and I nodded my head.

Less little than 20 minutes, we were done and headed outside. He got into the car and the journey began again. You know that feeling when you are looking outside the window of a car, you tend to think about your life, your dreams and some people think about their love life. You know just getting yourself out of reality once at a time while imagining what your life could have been if things turned out differently.

But I was just imagining myself being the Queen of England’s daughter, what it would be like to be a British person, and maybe I would have a different name and personality, but then I figured it meant I wouldn't be able to know my grandma, even my family. “No, I'm kinda happy with my reality" I said to myself.

“Did you say something?" My father asked, unbeknownst to me, that I might have said it a bit aloud. I knew if I said no he would think I was starting to talk to myself, which is weird. “Yeah, I was singing", I said, and he didn't say anything else. It seems like he bought the lie. I reached for the car stereo and connected my phone to the car's audio system via Bluetooth and started playing my favorite tunes. “Now that's why we are enjoying a long ride", my dad said excitedly, and we laughed it off.

He was right, music is more than just a beat and the lyrics are like a sound the soul recognizes. When you listen to good music, even your spirit and your soul dance to the beat while your mind enjoys the lyrics.

I can't believe I have been sitting for almost three hours. My butts were starting to hurt, and I looked up to see the signboard “Welcome to Atlanta”. I smiled to myself. I'm home with loads of stories and gifts and finally my butts can rest. “You seem excited?" my father asked. “Who wouldn't be? "My butts hurt like hell", I said, and he chuckled.

In less than forty minutes, my father pulled over to our house and there it was. Our house is not that big, just a simple duplex but perfect for our family. It has a cozy living room with big windows that let in lots of natural light. The kitchen is warm and inviting, where we cook meals together. The bedrooms are comfortable and just the right size for each of us. Our backyard is a lovely spot to relax and spend time together.

The house may not be fancy, but it's home. We've made many happy memories here, and it feels warm and welcoming. It's a place where we can be ourselves and enjoy each other's company. We've decorated it with our favorite things, and

it feels like us……..