AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I laughed with her. I was not adventurous like she was at all, nor did I have her ability to procrastinate. She took after our father, who was a free spirit and thought that every day was just another chance to do something exciting. I took more after my mother, who was more practical. My brothers River and JR were somewhere in the middle. River was currently running an equestrian rehabilitation center in San Diego, California, while JR was getting his doctorate in English.
“Are you excited to go? Is it going to be strange to be that far away from home?” I asked.
“It was a bit daunting to realize that I could have flown via Asia or England and it wouldn’t have made a difference in travel time. I'm literally going to the other side of the world.”
Alice was getting ready to go and volunteer with an optometrist who was administering eye exams and glasses to kids in Africa. She would be working with the doctor for a little over a month and then take the next two months to travel around the continent. She didn’t have any real destination in mind but was going to see where the wind and the world took her.
“You will have a great time. Think of all the things you’re going to see. The mountains, the oceans, the animals, the people, and cultures,” I said.
“It’s not too late to come along with me. I’m sure Dr. Axel would be more than happy to have another assistant,” Alice said.
“Not going to happen, but thank you for the offer. I’m happy where I am.”
“Are you? Happy where you are?” Alice asked.
“I’m getting there. I knew New York was going to be different from Aurora. It’s just taking some getting used to.”
“They aren’t that different.,” Alice said.
“I think there are more people at all the Starbucks in New York City in the morning than there are people in our hometown.”
“Possibly. Have you ventured out more? Did you get to the Met like you said you would?”
“Maybe this weekend,” I said.
“You said that last weekend,” Alice said with a sigh.
“I had to work.”
“No, you chose to work. Remember, this is an internship, you aren’t getting paid much, and they shouldn’t work you hard. The whole point of you being there was so you could get out of your comfort zone, forget about that asshole, and see what else there is outside of Oregon.”
“I have. I am definitely out of my comfort zone, and I don’t like it, but I’m making it work. I go to work, I have a few places I go to eat, and eventually, I’ll get up the nerve to try and go to other places,” I said.
“Eventually, if you think about it. You’re going to blink, and your year there is going to be up. You need to start doing things now. How about this? Try doing something simple. We used to go to the movies all the time. Why don’t you try and go to see a movie on your own?”
“I could never do that,” I said and shook my head. Even though she couldn’t see me, I still did it.
“Yes, you can. It isn’t that hard, and it’s actually a lot of fun. I know there’s a movie you’ve wanted to see. Think of how much fun it will be to have the popcorn and drink and sit all to yourself.”
“I never shared a seat with anyone or my drink.”
“Maybe you should sometime, but not this time. It’s something you like to do, and I need to know that you’re taking care of yourself before I head off to parts unknown,” Alice said.
“I always take care of myself, and you’ll still be in contact. You aren’t going to the moon,” I said.
“The cell service will be spotty in spots, and I’m not going to be able to enjoy myself if I’m worried that you’re sitting at home watching true crime shows instead of going out and being a part of the world.”
“Are you hoping I become a part of a true crime instead of streaming them?” I asked.
“That isn’t what I meant, and you know it. Please, go to the movies, alone, for me. Then we can see about you doing something else. Like skydiving.”
“I am not ever going skydiving,” I stated.
“Okay, maybe not skydiving but something else fun, like walking through Central Park, going to a museum, or even a concert. There are so many great cultural opportunities there; you should take advantage of them.”
“Maybe, eventually. I had a busy week at work, and I was out late last night,” I said.
“Wait, what were you doing out late? Did you have a date? Why didn’t you tell me?”
