one month later.

I awake to the steady patter of rain upon my window, droplets yet to scatter the nascent rays of the rising sun. The sound brings a calmness to mind, a soothing melody, a natural lullaby.

“Please fasten your seatbelt, Miss Clark. We’re heading into some turbulence.”

My French-manicured fingers clenched the arms of the leather seat as the plane shuddered and bucked.

It’s been a month since the funeral and my mother and I are moving away from our town in Jupiter, Fl to Arizona. My mom quit her nursing assistant job and decided to move away to somewhere else.

I thought it was the best decision for her to do so, hence we were getting so much attention from everyone, glaring at us everywhere we go. The pressure was too real and my mom thought it was best to hit the reset button to move away to Arizona.

We landed shortly and we were told to be remain seated until further notice. We made here in Arizona safely which brought joy in everyone’s faces.

After the pilot thanked us for the ride, Everyone got up from their seats and gathered their belongings before leaving the plane. At this early hour, the airport is as serene as it ever is. The people move with ease, quiet rivers of humanity freshly roused from their slumber. The floors are clean and white, reflecting the early rays and the manmade light the same.

We grabbed our bags in the baggage claim then head outdoors meeting up with our driver who was standing outside for us.

″Ladies, hi, welcome,″ he greets, he was an old man with white and a dash of gray on his hair. He was wearing glasses wand dresses comfortably as my mother and I greeted him outdoors.

″Hi, how are you?″ My mom said to him.

″I’m doing good, thank you.″

After putting our suitcases in the trunk my mom and I head to the back of the car.

We made it to Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix is the capital of the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona. Known for its year-round sun and warm temperatures. I can confirm that it was really warm today.

I rolled down the windows and let the wind blew in my face. My mom’s hands interlock with mine with a tight squeeze at the end.

″We’re here,″ my mom said to me.

″I know,″ I responded. I lay my head on her shoulder as we drove through the city to our new home.

It was about noon when we arrived at our new home. Once again, the driver was generous to help out with my mother and me with our belongings.

″You ladies have a good day, welcome to Phoneix.″

″Thank you,″ we said back to him, just in time, our movers came and helped around the house setting up our chairs, couches, beds, tables, and kitchen equipment in our home.

In new, my home is the scent of lavender, the delicate blooms in one of Grandma Cathy’s old jam jars.

The perfume brings out the delicate purple hue to the walls, the very same shade that is the color of spring forget-me-nots in the morning light.

I never aspired to a large home, preferably cozy and friendly.

It is the perfect space for my needs and many of my wants. It is my “cottage” in the sky, furnished with everything rustic, the old being a stage for my new creations, new paintings daubed on perfect squares of canvass.

The movers left the area leaving me and my mom with the rest of the boxes left around the living room and kitchen. I begin to help around unboxing and placing things around the house.

My mom began to call up her friends telling everyone that she was safe with me. Afterward, we called in an order for pizza.

We had pepperoni and cheese with some wings.

My mom and I were drained from a long day of flying to a new place and home. It was a quiet moment between us, we were still coping on how to strengthen our conversations but it seems it's never going to be the same without Kenny.

He's are glue to the family. He's the one with the jokes, storytelling, coming up with ideas of family night, and without him here it doesn't feel right.

My mom heaves a sigh and looks to me with her bright Chesnut eyes.

''Sweetie, how are you feeling today?''

''Feeling okay.''

''Really?''

I sighed. ''I mean, I don't know. It's so different. Everything feels so different you know.''

''Yes, I do.''

''Do you think that we're going to get passed this?''

''Well, of course. You only have a year left to graduate high school, plus, I got an offer to work at a children's hospital.''

I widened my eyes. ''What? Mom, that's amazing? How? I mean I thought it would take a while since we got here.''

''Me too, but they saw my resume online so I am going to see what they are going to offer.''

''Mom, that's good. That's amazing actually.''

''You think so pumpkin?"

''Yes, I do."

She brushed her hands on my arm and pulls me closer to her. I loved the feeling of my mom's arm wrapping around mine. I often reminisce about the memories of my mom doing that as she reads all of Junie B. Jones's books when I was younger.

''I love you, honey,'' she whispers.

''I love you too.''