Seize the Day

2. Johnny
Welcome Home

"He said he'd be here at noon. It's 1." I muttered. "So much for being perfect, always on time, strong, smart..."
The list went on... I didn't exactly mean it- but it was raining, you want me to stand out in the fucking rain for an hour - when you've never. ever. been late.
Lewis "Levi" Seward was a man of many traits, but I didn't know he held the trait to being late. My whole life, 22 years, I have never seen him late. His idea of late, is not getting there 15 minutes early.
But today, in the pouring rain, is late.
"Maybe something happened..." I whispered, a chill running up my spine. What would I do if he had wrecked coming to get me? What could I do? It would be all my fault- and everyone in the family that already cast their eyes down on me, would hound me more... I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
I looked up just in time to see a blue and silver Dodge pull into the store across the road from the bus stop. That couldn't be....
"Dude, now that... I might like it here after all." My friend smiled nodding towards her with a smile on his face.
"Dude, that's my sister." I sighed.
"Awh come on." He cursed.
"Bailey!" I yelled as I ran across the street, bag in hand, trying to get her attention.
"Johnny? Johnny! What are you doing here?!" She squealed practically tackling me to the ground.
"Can we chat somewhere else, like in the store? Dad was supposed to pick us up an hour ago..." I said shivering.
"Us?" She asked as her eyes set on the man behind me, he stood there awkwardly - I had dragged him on this trip because he didn't have a family to visit for the holidays... Well, I'm sure he could've found some - but I wasn't gonna do this alone.
We went into the store, of course mom sent her with a list of groceries to get.
"Okay, the quick way of doing this - we all split up." Bailey said looking at the list.
"Johnny, you go for the milk - flour..." She went on before turning to her left. "And... I'm sorry... What is your name?"
"Uh... Zacky.." He said scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, Zacky.... You can go for the fruits and vegetables -.."
We split up, finding things - we got out of there within a half an hour which for the size of the list was pretty fucking fast.
"I didn't know you two would be in tow, I have Cowboy.. I'm not too sure how we'll fit." She laughed as we walked outside.
"Uh... Your empty tool box that you use for cases of beer?" I smiled, her lips curled into a deviant smile before she jumped into the bed and I handed her bags of groceries.
Just like the old days - in a way it felt good.
In a way I missed this place.
In a way.
We all piled into the truck, we still had to hold some bags in the cab, but not too many. I had to sit in the middle seat, because well Zack was too big she'd've kept hitting him with the shifter or something.
I'll admit it - I'm small. I'm not like teeny tiny... but I'm definitely not big. I stand at 5'6 - which isn't short... but when you sit me right next to a man that's 6 feet tall... well, yeah. And for the record - Zack isn't 6 feet tall. He's 5'11.
Now, when you put me next to Bailey - the 80lb petite blonde that came up to 5'1 if she stood straight- now that, I felt tall.
Now, when you put me in a lifted truck... that had a trainhorn... that you could hear 10 miles away... now that made me feel small no matter where I sat.
I looked out the window as we climbed up through the woods in her truck, we didn't say much - what was there to say? I didn't realize how much I missed all of this. I mean, fuck, there's nothing around here but that’s what I miss - the whole bout of nothingness! No people, no lights, no sounds.. just trees.
And animals.
But mostly trees.
I like trees. Trees are good.

Notes