My mom was less than pleased with our plans, and it took a lot of convincing to get her on board. I think a part of her still held out hope that Derek, and I would find our way back to each other. My dad was the complete opposite. In fact, when Derek showed up on his doorstep late last night, he threatened him with a shot gun.
Leaving him was one of the hardest things that I've ever done, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still crying myself to sleep at night. That was one of the perks of going away with Morgan though. No time to cry. I wouldn't be alone long enough to start wallowing, and I'd be too busy keeping her out of trouble.
I had just finished loading my suitcases into the back of the truck when a car I didn't recognize pulled into my dad's driveway. I squinted my eyes, and used my hand as a sun visor, watching as it came to a halt directly in front of me. A few seconds later, Morgan stepped out of the back seat, and the driver jumped out to open the trunk.
“Please tell me you're packed?” She asked, as she dug around in her purse.
“I am..” I said with caution.
She pulled an actual road map out of her bag then, and spread it out on the truck's hood. There in bright pink high lighter was a route. I shot my brow up skeptically.
“What's this?” I asked.
“I've got it all planned out!” She said excitedly. “We'll start here, and stop in Virginia. They have the world's largest roller skate or something like that. Then, we'll head to Maryland. I did some research and Ocean city is on the must see list. Next is New Jersey, and then Connecticut, before reaching our final destination in New York.”
“That's supposed to last us an entire month?”
She rolled her eyes. “We can stay in each state for a week. Take in the sights, try the cuisine, it will be just like when we were looking at College's.”
“Except we're nearly thirty now, still single, and everything we eat goes to our hips.”
“Can you not be a buzzkill for once?”
I ignored her, as I watched the Uber driver begin to back out of the driveway leaving a pile of luggage in his wake.
“What is all of this?” I asked.
“My clothes.” She said, as if I were a complete moron.
“Do you really need six suitcases? What happened to traveling light?”
“We're going to four different states before we reach New York, I need to be prepared for anything.”
“No wonder dad wanted us to take his truck.”
“Har, har, har.” She said sarcastically, as she stuffed the map back into her purse.
“As long as there's room for the cooler, I guess we'll be alright.” I sighed.
“Don't worry, I've got some things for you too.” She winked.
I rolled my eyes, before heading towards her pile of luggage and grabbing two pieces. She followed suit, and in a few minutes we were all loaded up. I shut the tailgate, and closed the glass door of the cab down after. It was late, and the plan was to sleep here, and head out first thing in the morning.
When I led Morgan inside she headed towards my bedroom, and I found my dad sitting in his usual spot in the living room. The television was on, and I noted that he was watching one of his favorite shows. There had never been a more predictable man. I smiled to myself, as I sat down beside him on the love seat.
“Does this mean you're all packed?” He asked, nudging my elbow.
“Is it bad that I'm having second thoughts?” I asked, resting my head on his shoulder.
“I know it's earlier than you planned, but I think it will be good for you.”
“I'm sorry about the wedding, Dad. I know you've already spent so much-”
“I don't care about any of that.” He interrupted. “I only want you to be happy.”
“What if Derek was it for me?” I whispered. “What if he was the one, and I gave up too soon?”
“You're not the one who gave up, Ronnie.”
“I'm really going to miss you, Dad.”
He kissed my temple then, and the two of us sat in silence for a while watching TV. I thought about everything that had happened, and then what was about to. I never saw myself with anyone other than Derek, and the thought of starting over with someone new was terrifying. Maybe if I were younger, and wasn't about to start the next chapter in my life things would be easier. But that wasn't the case. I was nearly thirty, and even though Morgan, and I had the boutique... I wanted more.
I was ready to start a family, or at least I thought I was. A shiver shot down my spine when I thought about having a baby with Derek. As much as I wanted children, to be pregnant now would only cause me heartache. I knew exactly how it would play out. I'd tell him, and he'd pull me back in. He'd convince me that we could make us work, and I'd let him.
“You coming to bed?” Morgan asked as she came back down the hall in her pajamas. “We have a busy day tomorrow.”
I nodded, before giving my dad a kiss on his cheek.
“Goodnight, Dad.”
“Night, Ronnie.” He winked.
Morgan gave my dad a little wave, and then she reached for my hand pulling me into my childhood bedroom.
“It's so surreal being here.” She laughed. “So many conversations about boys were held in this room.”
“Not only boys.” I said, arching a brow.
“I kissed a girl, one time!” She said. “And I blame Katy Perry. What teenage girl wouldn't be curious after hearing that song?”
“I wasn't.” I teased.
“You were a prude! Hell, you still are.” She teased back.
I knew she was only joking, but it still hurt hearing the word. I wanted
