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I got back in the car wishing that I was already there. Depending on traffic I had another five to six hours ahead of me.
I had to stop again another four hours later to get something to eat. I grabbed a drink and sandwich and ate it in the car. I had five missed calls. Three from my parents, one from my friends, and one from Gram. I took a bite of sandwich and decided to call my parents back first.
My mom answered on the first ring. Was I fine? Yes, I assured her. Was I getting close? Yep, almost there. Would I call when I got there? Yeah, definitely.
I hung up and called my friends back. Hopefully they would be able to cheer me up.
“Hey,” I sighed into the phone.
“Oh my god, Sophie, it’s only been twenty-four hours and we already don’t know what to do without you!” said Anna. I could hear the sounds of Katelyn and Jess in the background.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine without me,” I said with a smile tugging at my lips.
“We’ll never be the same! You’re the life of the party!” sounded Jess’s voice.
“Well I can’t argue with you there,” I said laughing. I was far from the life of the party. I was the quiet timid girl in the background. Being the center of attention was more Anna’s scene. I knew I could count on them to make me laugh, though. “I better go,” I said, wanting to finish my calls so that I could get back on the road.
“Okay,” said Anna, “We miss you!” all three of them said in unison before hanging up.
Before calling Gram back I got out and threw away my trash. Climbing back in I dialed her number but all I got was her voicemail.
“Hey, Gram it’s me Sophie, I’m almost there. I’m going to be about another hour to an hour and a half. So, I’ll see you when I get there. Bye,” I said hanging up. I couldn’t wait to finally get there. My legs were stiff and my butt was starting to hurt from sitting so long.
I got off of I-81 onto my exit and relief flooded my body. I was here. I had done it. The trees were tall and bright green. I could see mountains. There were no mountains in Indiana. Everything here was new and different. It was wonderful.
I turned onto the back road and seeing my gas gauge swivel closer and closer to the big E I decided to fill up before I officially arrived at Gram’s. I drove down to the Handy Mart that I remembered being close to Gram’s house. A bunch of kids my age were hanging out in the parking lot. I assumed they went to the local high school and would be my classmates. School didn’t start for another three days. My schedule and everything was already in order. I got out of my car and swiped my dad’s credit card. As I was pumping gas I noticed that pretty much everyone was looking at me. The kids that had been hanging out laughing were now staring right at me. I looked down at my feet but I could still feel their eyes on me. I heard the little click that said the car was full so I replaced the nozzle and jumped in my car as quick as I could. I looked back at the crowd of kids and saw their eyes follow my car. It looked like school was going to be awesome.
I pulled into the neighborhood and quickly found Gram’s quaint but cute pale yellow house. As I pulled up I could see her sitting on the little white front porch rocking in a rocking chair that she got one summer at Cracker Barrel. Seeing me she jumped up and waved enthusiastically. I pulled into the driveway and hopped out of the car. I ran into her welcoming arms like a little kid. She kissed the top of my head and then held me at arm’s length.
“Wow, my child, you’re taller every time I see you! What are you now six foot?” she said.
I laughed, “No, gram. I’m actually five-ten.”
“Close enough,” she said giving me a huge smile, “Sophie it’s so good to have you here.”
“It’s good to have a home,” I said.
She got a sad look and said, “Remember Sophie, it’s the people that make the home not the place.”
I gave her a small smile, “Then this should be the best home yet,” I said.
“That’s the spirit,” she said patting my shoulder.
She helped me carry my bags in from the car. We put it all in the guest room that would now be my room.
“Your dad called and he told me to tell you to go ahead and use his card to buy some stuff to fix up the room to suit you.”
I smiled, “That was nice of him but it’s your house. I doubt you want me changing stuff.”
“Oh no dear, go right on ahead. In fact I got you a gift card to the hardware store down the road for you to get some paint. I doubt you want this color. And just so you know I was planning on redoing this room anyway. So, now I don’t have to pay for it. Just don’t tell your dad,” she laughed.
“You’re the best Gram,” I said. Looking around the room I was grateful that my dad was going to give me the money to fix
up the room. The walls were an old faded blue that was peeling in places. There were leak spots on the ceiling. The bedspread was old and had been there for years. At one point it had been white but now looked yellow. There was still a nail polish stain on the wicker dresser. It needed work. A lot of work.
“I made your favorite for dinner,” Gram said.
“You mean,” I said my eyes dreamy, “Your famous spaghetti?”
