My Hometown Love

Chapter 4 - Homebound

I looked around my apartment at the mountain of boxes, in disbelief and awe. Disbelief because I can’t believe that I am finally doing this, moving out of New York. While awe, because I can’t believe I got all this done in less than a week. To be honest, I’ve had a lot of help. 

“Lex! Amy and I just finished packing up everything in the storage closet. Do you need us to do the bedroom next?”, asked Lydia as she grabbed a drink from the fridge. 

“It’s okay, I’ll do that later tonight. Thank you two.”, I replied. 

“Have a seat, ladies. Lexie was just about to explain her moving plan.”, Jimmy said as he scooted over my plastic-wrapped couch. 

“Okay, so tomorrow the moving company is taking all these furniture and boxes down to my storage locker. Then, on Saturday afternoon, I’ll return my keys and head on to the airport for my flight back home with all my extra luggage.”, I replied as I checked off each task with my fingers. 

“Wow, I can’t believe this is all happening so soon.”, Jimmy said softly. 

“Can we at least send you to the airport?”, said Lydia as she pouted her lips sadly.

“Sure, as long as it’s okay with all of you.”, I replied as I put my arm around her and gave her a little squeeze. 

*********

I said goodbye to Amy as I shut the door. She was the last one to leave tonight. I grabbed a drink from my very empty fridge and plopped myself on the couch. 

“Okay this is very uncomfortable”, I said to myself as I kept slipping off my plastic-covered chair. 

I put my feet up and folded them under me as I began reminiscing on how I met this awesome group of friends whom I call family. 

I first met Amy on the first day I moved out to New York. I got lost looking for the supermarket and Amy was so kind as to walk me all the way there. Coincidentally we met again at a coffee shop a week later and have been friends ever since. A month later, Amy then introduced me to Lydia, who she knew since college and we just clicked. 

A few weeks later, on a bright sunny day, we were having a picnic in Central Park when we met Jimmy who was attempting to jog around the lake. We were watching him do quite well until a wasp started chasing him. He tripped and fell in the lake, and we went over to help him. We’ve been the Funtastic Four ever since. To this day, Jimmy hates it when we tell that story at parties. 

It’s weird to suddenly leave without them with me. They have been a very vital part of my New York life and one of the reasons I was able to survive the first few months alone in this new up-scale city. I don’t know how this long-term friendship is going to work but I know that once you find the right people, it will work itself out. Who knows, I might be back again here someday. Or I could even invite them over for a vacation back home. 

I sighed deeply as I got up and moved to the bedroom. One last room to pack. It’s going to be a long night. 

*********

I stared at my bed getting carried out and down to the truck. That was the last piece of my furniture. I grabbed my coffee tumbler and headed off to the storage warehouse to get all the stuff checked in. My Dad was curious as to why I didn’t just sell my furniture and save on the hassle of getting a storage locker. To be honest, the reason I made this decision, is because I have the littlest tiniest hope that I will be back here again soon. And when I do, I’ll have all that I need ready for me. 

It took hours to get it all done because I walked into an empty apartment filled with the late-afternoon sunlight and a whole lot of nothing. 

This was it. At this time tomorrow, I will be on a plane heading back home. Honestly, I can’t wait to see all of them. 

I sat on the cold floor with my legs stretched as I scrolled through social media, occasionally stopping to drop a comment or hit the like button. 

DING DONG!

My doorbell blared as it echoed through my empty house as I got up to see who it was. 

I opened the door to a person holding sleeping bags, another carrying a bag full of takeaway food, and the last one with a grocery bag full of drinks and snacks. 

“You didn’t expect us to let you go without a farewell party, did you?”, Jimmy said as he pushed a sleeping bag at me.

“Farewell sleepover!”, Amy and Lydia shouted simultaneously with their voice echoing through the house.

**********

There we were in the middle of my living room sitting on our sleeping bags eating Chinese food as a video of a bonfire played on Jimmy’s tablet in the middle of our little circle. 

“You know, people don’t really eat Chinese food when camping.”, I said to annoy Jimmy.

“Shut up and eat your Kung Pao Chicken, Cooper or you won’t get your present”, Jimmy replied pointing his chopsticks at me, warningly. 

“You got me a present?”, I said softly with my sad puppy dog eyes. 

“Yeah, but you don’t get it till the airport tomorrow.”, Lydia added smilingly. 

“Awww......you all shouldn’t have.”, I said pouting my lips as I held back my tears. 

“Don’t get sappy on us now, Lex. We are supposed to spend the night full of laughter and not tears.”, Amy quickly added before I could start crying. 

“Okay, I promise. I love you guys you know.”, I said as I continued eating.  

“We know.”, they all replied in unison. 

We spent the night stuffing our faces with snacks and soft drinks as the house filled with laughter and love before crawling in our sleeping bags and closing our eyes in hope tomorrow never comes. 

************

I removed my key from my ‘I Love New York’ keychain as my landlord did a quick tour to check the apartment. I clenched the key in my palm with hesitance before giving it to him. 

“You were a good tenant, Ms. Cooper. All the best for your future.”, said the elderly Mr. George before opening the door for me. 

“Thank you Mr. George.”, I replied as I took a last glance at my apartment of 2 years before grabbing my bags and walking to the car. Jimmy loaded the car with my bags as Lydia opened the passenger seat door for me. 

“You get to ride shotgun today.”, Lydia said before getting in the car herself followed by Amy and Jimmy. 

I sat there silently looking out the window at my red-bricked building. 

“You ready Lex?”, Jimmy said breaking the silence. 

I nodded my head and he started to drive away. Slowly the familiar neighborhood passed by and I was met with the bustling city as we headed to JFK Airport. 

Before I knew it, there I was all checked-in and ready to pass security to board the plane. But this also meant that this was the moment. The moment to say goodbye. 

I turned to look at my friends and sighed deeply. 

“Looks like you’ll be the Three Musketeers now.”, I said trying so hard to not burst into tears. 

Amy rushed to hug me with Lydia and Jimmy not far behind. 

“No such thing. You will always be part of us and we will always be the Funtastic Four.”, Lydia said as she choked on her tears. 

I even saw the tough Jimmy silently secretly wipe away a tear.   

“Jimmy, are you crying?”, I said staring at him. 

“Noooooo...... There’s just something in my eye.”, he replied trying to be oblivious but failing terribly. 

“Jimmyyyyy....”, I called threateningly, knowing so well. 

“Oh hell. I’m gonna miss you Lexie!”, he said as he hugged me again and squeezing me with no intention of letting go. 

I patted his back as I stepped back and wiped away my tears. 

“Before I forget, here’s your present. But you are not allowed to open it till you are on the plane and on-air.”, Amy said as she passed me a small box with a red ribbon. 

“Now go! Or you’re going to miss your flight”, Jimmy said as he turned me around and pushed me towards the gate. 

I turned around and hugged them all at once as I whispered “I love you” to each one of them before walking towards the gate. I spun around to have a last glance at them as they stood there waving and blowing flying kisses. Seems like I have been having a lot of last glances lately. 

I wiped my tears and headed through the gate and soon I was on the plane looking down at New York City. I picked up the present and opened it to find a silver New York City novelty frame with a picture of the four of us last Christmas at Times Square. It came with a note that said, ‘Now you can take a piece of New York with you wherever you go. We’ll miss you, Lexie. Love you!’

I clenched the frame close to my heart as I look down at the New York skyscrapers passing by below me. I touched the cold plane window longingly as I traced the buildings with my fingers, whispering to myself silently. 

“Goodbye New York.”