curb

little hands clench, tucked under my chin, supporting the weight of my thoughts, as i wait at the shore, where grass meets gravel road, staring into forever. my life is captured in the suitcase that i rest upon, the toes of my shoes push blades of green grass into nappy tangles to match my windswept hair.

what will i do with the rest of my life?

i have never ran away before, so i do not know what to expect, out here is the vastness of the real world. perhaps a car will come by soon and whisk me away to strange and new places, where i can join up with a band of ruthless pirates and sail the ocean blue in search of gold and booty. or catch a ride on a rocket ship, to colonize a distant planet where bulbous purple plants are hollowed out to make homes for round yellow aliens, with eyes on rubbery stalks.

i thought you might like something for the road.

teasing on the breeze, the tantalizing aroma of chocolate chip cookies perfumes the air, the white plate with floral print twining around the edges cool to the touch. their fresh out of the oven warmth spreads through me, reaching the tight little knot that has curled in my heart, slowly pulling strings that make it unravel. i can't even remember why i wanted to leave.

if i stay, can i have another cookie?

so we do.

home is a place we look to escape when we are young, only to spend our elder years trying to get back to. if you love them, sometimes you have to let them go, but keep the door open so they can catch the scent and find their way home. and perhaps that helped me come back, all those years later. for love, a knowing hug and a warm chocolate chip cookie.
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Today is my one year blogoversary. It's been a great trip, thanks to all the friends I met along the way. You have added to my life in ways you may never know. I look forward to many more adventures.