Unforgettable

Part 38

Natalie

"Don't go wasting your emotion
Lay all your love on me
Don't go sharing your devotion
Lay all your love on me."

Mandy lays a hand on her heart, somehow able to focus on the road while belting out arguably the best song ever made. I groove in my seat beside her, closing my eyes as I become further absorbed in the music. Wind lashes at my face through the open window, a loud beeping from my right forcing my eyes open. I turn my head, already knowing who's beside me.

"I have 911 on speedial for when you guys crash, just so you know."

I poke my tongue out at Casey, our cars so close I could basically touch him if I leant over far enough. I watch as he shakes his head, his eyes flicking back to the road as the light flicks green. He sends me a salute as Mandy lurches us forwards, Casey's car falling behind in suit.

It's move in day for Mandy. The cars are packed, music loud, spirits high. I decided to carpool with Mandy and the U-haul, leaving Casey to drive a sleepy Barney in a less-packed car across the states. We're nearly at her new house, the past few hours seeming to fly by effortlessly. It's been a whirlwind of too loud music, laughter, and weird hand signals from Casey, who's been trailing Mandy's car for most of the journey.

I think this is what I've been searching for. A family feeling. A mom like figure who I can sing songs with in the car, no matter how loud the music is. A mom I can count on, one who supports me through everything. It feels bad to say it, but Mandy's starting to feel like more of a real mom than my actual mom. I can't say I'd like to be stuck in a car with my mom for 4 hours straight.

"Ahh! The house is right down this street!" I sit up straighter in my seat, craning my neck around the endless amount of large trees enclosing the small neighbourhood.

"I'm so excited to see it!" I've only ever seen photos of the cottage, an inviting little house equipped with bright flowers and wrap around porch. I think it fits Mandy's personality perfectly, the warmness of the house matching that of her own.

Mandy backs the car into the small driveway, making sure to push the trailer as close to the house as possible. I pause the music streaming from my phone, throwing the loose object into my jacket pocket. I push open my door, my feet hitting the pavement softly as I take a step out of the car. My eyes fly to the peaceful road where Casey's parked his car, an excited Barney tumbling out of the backseat. He spots me, his mouth hanging open in a dopey smile as he waddles towards me. I bend down, opening my arms as he bounds into them, the end of his tail thwacking into my arm. He lays sloppy kisses across my face, just as a warm hand comes to lean on my shoulder. I keep a hand on Barney's soft ear as I stand, placing my other hand over Casey's. His finger skims my cheek as he pulls a loose strand of hair over my ear, his palm softening onto my cheek. I tilt my head up just as he leans down, our lips meeting somewhere in the middle. He tastes like his favorite gum, the cool spearmint taste melting into my mouth.

"Are you kids going to help me?" Casey groans as our lips detach, his forehead falling to rest on mine. I giggle, tugging our connected hand towards the front of the house. I shepherd Barney with us, until we find ourselves standing beside Mandy, who's eyes are glistening as she looks up at the gable roof. Casey drapes his spare arm around her shoulders, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. I smile at the sight as I whip out my phone, taking a step back from the group.

"Alright, let's take a photo of you in front of your new house."

...

My feet are beginning to ache, sweat running all over my body as I carry the last box into the living room. It's taken a few hours, but finally, everything has been emptied from the trailer.