On the Road

The wagon tumbled across the rocky-dirt path, bouncing up and down as it pleased. Conveniently, my father, elder brother, and mother all had an old coat or cushions to sit on, I, however, did not. 

Sitting there in pain seemed pointless so I decided to put my time to better use- through snooping through all of our stuff. I mean who knows, maybe there's something in here I can sit on. I'm certain we wouldn't journey to the capital without some soft fabric or atleast a distraction.

"Excuse me, Edwin-a!" I mocked receiving a mild scowl in return.

So I persisted, shoving, my brother Edwin's face to the side as I clambered to the back toward our household's shared belongings.

Arriving at the neatly organised section of wooden crates I place myself in front of the first box labelled with something I can't quite read. 

Pulling on the leather apparel larger than myself, I managed to hold it up, my hands straining on the dark brown weight. What was this mystery item? Edwin's prized jacket… "Welp, don't need this!" I prepared to mock throw it off the wagon when it was snatched off me.

"Hey-! That's mine-" he sighed in a mix of relief and protectiveness, for his jacket- not his sweet little sister. Strangely, he gripped on to it so tight and tenderly, I got images of him marrying that jacket. I suppose I won't be an aunt.

Reaching in once more, after composing myself of course, I pulled out a tough bound book that was faded in colours and title. Might as well read it, later though. Even if this makes me seen stupid- it felt like that book was meant for me.

Trying my luck once more, I hoped to find maybe another volume or something to pass the time with, however, I was unsuccessful. I tugged upwards with one hand, in a pinching position as to limit contact, on the smelly fabric. It was my father's unwashed shirt.

Regardless of the consequences- then right then- an opportunity presented itself. Bundling the shirt into my hand with a tight grip I stood and turned to face Edwin in a confident pose.

"Hey, Edwin-a!" I raised my arm "Want this too?"

I threw the stinky shirt at him with everything I had. It was a life or death situation, and I am far too cute to die.

*-A couple of hours later-* 

Night had begun to slowly set in and we had found our new campsite, of course, it was just a simple point stop beside the road in a somewhat pleasant clearing of a forest. 

The tall spruce trees surrounded us and obscured the mountains that formed the wide valley we were in, in the distance.

Edwin was unloading the wagon and setting up the tents. My mother, Alie, was preparing something to eat, by that I mean aggressively failing to butcher carrots.

My father, Mitch, walked over to me and my new book I was eager to experiment with. As he approached he spoke with his charismatic voice, uh oh, he wants something.

"So Mya, what you got there?" He spoke in an optimistic tone.

"A book." I quipped back.

"Well yeah… but." He sighed with exacerbation. "I was thinking- we're on the road, worse than that we're moving, for who knows how long for, so we can take of this business. Some other families that are resting up near here- maybe some are going the same way as us, you could make some real good friends. Go out with them tonight- maybe tomorrow too if you feel like it, we're resting here for two days. Alright?"

I furrowed my perfectly sized eyebrows and swung my feet off the ledge of my chair. "Do I have too?"

"Yes!" Mitch said firmly, "Besides, it'll be good for you, kiddo."

I groaned at both my new obligation and being called 'kiddo'. I wonder if other children suffer this torture?

Accepting my fate, I planted my boots into the tough soil and started the most nerve building walks of my life. While they may have just been people, who knows if they will like me, or maybe they're busy, or maybe they won't want to do something.