"Okay. Great babe. I'll call you when I know I'll be coming. It'll be just a few days. You'll see."
Mandy turned on all the lights in her apartment. She packed up everything that was Kip's into a box. She taped the box shut. As she put the box in the back of her closet, she felt a finality wash over her. A deep sadness and release.
She looked at her bed, which was now void of blankets. She had still being using the blankets she and Kip shared. The same pillows, now thrown out, the same everything. She had to start over, with Eric.
It had taken her an entire extra year of going to school part-time to finish her degree. But, she ended up a fully certified teacher. That box of Kip's belongings, small things he'd left behind and mementos she'd kept from their relationship, it was still in the back of Mandy's closet. She always meant to throw it out, but she couldn't manage to do it.
"Mom, why are you crying?" Colton broke into her thoughts.
Mandy rubbed at her eyes, suddenly aware the old memories were making her tear up. "I was just thinking about how happy your dad and I were when we found out you were on the way. It made me a little misty eyed." And her make up was going to start running, meaning she'd have to start all over again.
"I'm sorry when you feel sad."
"This wasn't sad. This was happy."
Colton didn't reply. He stood up and put his bowl and spoon in the dishwasher. Mandy stood and hugged her still young son. He was wise beyond his years sometimes, leaving her unnerved when he read beyond what she told him.
"Come on babe, get your backpack packed."
"Troops move out," Colton ordered, standing ramrod straight. It made Mandy laugh, which in turn brought a huge grin on Colton's face. He knew just how to change her mood.