I sat on the tiled floor of the kitchen, a red toy truck in my hand. My tiny hands dragged the toy swiftly across the tiles as if it were a racetrack. Though, a firetruck wasn't even close to being the ideal race car.
The squeaking of the car's tires was the only sound that echoed throughout the large house. I stood to my feet and ran down the hall to find my mom. I haven't seen much of mommy lately but she always makes sure to read me a bedtime story.
The door to the office was open and the hushed whispers of voices could be heard from inside. I'm not supposed to go in there but I want to see if mommy wants to play with me. My dad is just as busy as mommy but he never seems to have time for me anymore.
I push open the door with my tiny hands and walk up to the wooden desk at the far end of the room. It's larger than me and one day I'll be taller than it. At least that's what my mom keeps telling me. My parents are scurrying around, speaking big words that I don't understand. Daddy is on the phone and papers are scattered about the room.
"Mommy? Can we go play?"
I call out the words to her, trying to grab her attention. She doesn't seem to hear me or even acknowledge that I'm in the room. I understand, mommy is very busy. But, she should still have time to play. Right?
"Mommy, come play cars with me."
I call out to her again, louder this time and she finally looks up from the desk. Her brown eyes meet mine and she walks over to me, a smile plastered on her face. She kneels down and strokes my curly, black hair like she always does.
"I'm sorry honey. Me and your dad are very busy with work right now. I promise we can play later, okay?"
Mommy reassures me gently. I nod and grin slightly. Mommy is just busy right now.
"Darling,"
My daddy calls from behind the desk, one hand over the phone.
"They would like to speak with you now."
I don't know who the people mommy and daddy are talking to but they seem important.
Mommy gives me one last smile before getting up and taking the phone from daddy's hands, leaving me alone yet again.
Hours passed and I was still alone.
She didn't come back to play with me and that was the last time I asked.
....
PRESENT TIME
Wednesday, 8:37pm
"Sir?"
A woman's voice calls out to me in my sleep and a hand touches my shoulder, shaking me slightly. The gesture pulls me from my slumber and the remnants of my dream fades with each blink of my eyes. I can hardly remember what it was about as my eyes rake over my surroundings. A petite brunette is standing before me and when she notices I'm awake, she steps back and folds her hands together.
"Sir, the plane landed 10 minutes ago. Please collect your baggage and proceed to the terminal."
The brunette informs me and begins to check the rows of seats behind me. Probably looking for items that got left behind or even people, like me for instance. Though I wouldn't say I got left behind. More like I overslept while the other passengers got to leave this damn plane on time. I bet some of them looked at me and laughed.
Wait, did she say 10 minutes?
Why the fuck didn't she wake me sooner?
Suddenly, I'm wide awake and unbuckling from my seat like a mad man. As much as I appreciate the extra sleep, today unfortunately wasn't the day for set backs. My Gran has probably been waiting for me in the car for awhile. It's not like I give a shit or anything but I'd rather be at the apartment so I can lock myself away for the rest of the summer as planned. They'll be doing themselves a favor by leaving me alone.
I rush out of the airport to meet my Gran and flip off some jackass who had the audacity to tell me off for "bumping into him" on the way out. Look, if you want to stand in the middle of the room and get trampled on, then so be it. Just don't start cussing me out like it's my problem. End of story.
When I spot my Gran's car, I stuff my bags in the truck and climb into the passengers seat. Their place is about a 20 minute drive from the airport and I'm not looking forward to it. The only relief I find in the short trip is that I won't have to sit down for long.
"Hey dear! What is it you've been calling yourself now? Crow? I can hardly keep up with you nowadays. My how you've grown. How was the flight? I bet you're tired of sitting but thankfully we don't live too far away."
She chuckles and pulls out of the parking lot, beginning the long trek to my summer "home." I hope it goes by fast so I can just wake up one morning and head back to where I actually belong. The longer it lasts the more miserable I'll be.
"You know-"
She keeps talking.
"there's a kid around your age that lives right across from us. We're very close to his family and they'll be over for dinner tonight. You guys could-"
I cut her off before she can continue.
"Yes Gran, it's Crow and as much I appreciate you trying to make conversation and be all buddy-buddy, can we skip the chit-chat for now? I'm not in the mood."
I tell her and lay back in my seat. My long body is practically crammed into her tiny car. I attempt to shift around a bit to try and get comfortable but to no avail. My ass is going to go numb from all of this sitting and the uncomfortable seats are just making it worse.
"Oh, of course dear.."
I can hear the heart break in her voice but I hardly have it in me to give a shit. I'll be here all fucking summer so we can talk later. Or never. That's more preferred.
After my outburst, the duration of the car ride is driven in silence.