Milestones Anonymous

We packed the U-haul truck and grabbed the last boxes. My step-father put the cardboard box labeled Kitchen Stuff in the back of the truck. My stomach felt uneasy. That was the last time I would stand in that backyard filled with uncut grass and three tree stumps. The rusted wire fence that surrounded my childhood home suddenly became something that had a significant impact on my life. The sky was gray and it was cold and rainy. And all I could do was watch as my life was falling completely apart.

“Home” was no longer Home, Sweet, Home. Home was a place for storage. Home was a place to rest and wake up. Home was a place to leave and never return. I looked back once more at my porch while we drove off and instead of being happy and picturing new beginnings in a new town with new people and a new school, I felt my cheeks get ridiculously hot and salty tears made their way down my face and into my mouth. The neon orange paper taped onto the glass of the screen door that read in bold black letters EVICTION NOTICE glared in my direction.

The days grew longer and muggier as June crept upon us and soon enough sophomore year was coming to an end. I was stuck between wanting better for myself and wanting to give up completely....