"Noodles, potato chips, taquila, mustard, apple juice, ketchup, popcorn, cheetos, nutella, strawberries, apples, chocolate, water and beer?" Meghan held the notepad in her hand. She tucked her auburn strands behind her ear as she bit her lips.

I inspected the box once again to be sure everything was packed.

"Check." I lifted the heavy baggage from the sidewalk and placed it on the passenger seat of the old station wagon.

Meghan moved closer to me, her brown eyes landing on the snacks and drinks.

She nodded in approval.

"Driver's license, money, transfer documents, IDs, credit cards and health insurance?" Her red lips moved.

I flipped the papers.

"Check." I threw the wallet and files on the glove compartment.

"Stuff at the back secure?Everything there?"

She stepped aside to let me pass.

I walked to the open truck and frisked my belongings carefully.

"Lava lamp, computer, duvet, clock radio, hangers, suitcases, duffel bag and Wall art. Nothing forgotten." I assured closing the boot.

Meghan and I lock stepped to the driver's door.

"Be safe." She squeezed my shoulder.

"Why wouldn't I be safe?" I lightly laughed. "It's Orlando. Curfew as a kid was midnight."

Meghan rolled her head back laughing. "There's something seriously wrong with your mother."

"Tell me about it." I said lazily. "The woman has issues beyond fixing. She once found me drink smoking and decided to join me. I was thirteen." I shake my head.

I was a confused stressed teenager who needed an escape. So I'd steal joints from my brothers and smoke inside the garage.

"No shit?" Her eyes widen. "She hit a joint with you?"

I shrugged.

"Wow. And I used to think she raised you better than that." Meghan snapped her fingers grinning.

I laughed. "Hardly."

"Get inside that car." The door flew open. "It's time to go."

"In hurry to get rid of me?" I folded my arms pouting.

"Wanna arrive in cleveland tomorrow night?" She raised a brow.

I groaned.

I dread the long drive. I must drop by NYU campus in Cleveland Ohio and complete my registration before taking a plane to Orlando Florida where I'd stay for a week.

Meghan has been super supportive and encouraging. Handed me keys to crash at her house in orlando and let me keep her van. She assisted me in ways I can't explained. Meghan insisted I let her handle the costs for my plane tickets and offered to pay gas bills for the station wagon. Thats a huge money burden lifted since I barely have enough to last me a month until my next paycheck slips in.

After constant hours of convincing, Evans agreed to relocate me to a new branch of Inez's Fashion house and Art gallery at Ohio which happens to be very close to NYU cleveland campus.

Meghan has played an important role in helping me move out of New York.

I opened up to her about my current situation and how past abuse and humiliation is starting to affect my mental health and progress as a young adult trying to build a future of my own. We talked about alot of stuff and shared so many things. I really needed someone to confide in and provide a sensible direction for me to take. Meghan treated me like her own daughter. I felt a different kind of love and affection from her that made my heart warm.

And she didn't ask for anything in return. Meghan taught me that family should be a safe place to turn to when else goes down hill. And she offered herself, assured me that if I ever need anything, I mustn't hesitate to ask.

And am grateful for her.

Meghan helped me realise that its okay to take a break. Sometimes when stuff become too much to handle, the only wayout is breaking free.

"I better get going then." I sat on the driver's seat.

Meghan stood by the edge. "No hugs for me."

I smiled and opened up my arms. She leaned into my embrace.

"I'm gonna miss you." She confessed.

"Already starting to miss you." I chuckled against her shoulder.

"Now don't be touchy." She rubbed my back. "I tend to cry easily in clingé scenes such as this."

I laughed.

"I wanna draw a tear. Cry me a damn river Aunt Meghan." I teased pulling away.

"I'll be crying oceans behind that door." She pointed at her house. Her smile never fading. "I'm so proud of you sweety."

I smiled back.

"Proud of me too."

"Those sun hats and shades gonna be pretty on you." Meghan glanced at the stuff in the backseat. "That chiffon scarf is adorable." She pointed at the colourful scarf.

Shopping with Meghan was the most fun I've had this month. I turned around to stare at the accessories for the little road trip.

"And pairing those up with these hoop earrings you gave me, I'll be taking cleveland by storm." I joked touching the earrings fondly.

"Have an amazing and fun experience just like we talked about. I want you to enjoy yourself while taking this journey of recovery. Don't be scared to try new things and meet new people. Step outside that comfort zone and be happy. Please don't be excessive and try to be in control of whatever you do." She reminded.

"Okay Aunt." I held her hand and squeezed tightly.

"Send regards to the people in Orlando for me. Especially my old neighbors Veronica and Bill." Meghan added.

"You still talk to those guys?" I gasped.

I swear, Bill and his wife Veronica are beyond insane and weird and loud. The creepiest seventy year olds on earth.

"They're really good folks. Back then when I'd be too caught up in work to pick up Janey from school, they offer to take her." She defended the weirdos.

"You let them drive around with your kid?"

And she claimed my mother had issues.

"C'mon, cut the elderly some slack." She slapped my shoulder lightly.

"No." I hitched.

She glanced at her watch.

"Safe trip." She closed the door for me. "And greet your mother for me."

I can't wait to finally lay eyes on my mother again. She's the first person am planning to visit. I have alot to share with her and am sure she has so much to tell me. Though she never wrote back to me, I have hope she's just as eggier to see me.

"Thank you." I said from the window. "For everything."

"You're welcome dear." Meghan ruffled my hair. "And I almost forgot." She took something out of her jacket.

"My favorite lipstick," she handed it to me. "It's gonna suit you perfectly."

I quickly grabbed it. I've been nagging her to give it to me since last night and she'd refuse. I absolutely love it.

"Thanks a bunch Meghan." I beamed. I adjusted the side view mirror and used it to apply the red shade on my lips.

"Looks really good." She praised. "Way better on you than me." She popped her gorgeous lips.

"I know right." I joked. I placed the lipstick inside my hand bag. "The brand is awesome."

"Rare beauty makes amazing shades. That bar cost me a fortune." She chuckled.

"And I remain eternally grateful." I grinned happily.

"Will you visit me in Cleveland?" I asked her hopefully.

"Of course. You're practically my daughter now."

My heart tip toed. "I love you Aunt."

"I love you too."

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