My Country Love Story

Mom: "LEAH??? Have you finished packing yet?" My mom lightly yells up to me in my bedroom from the bottom of the stairs. Leah: "Yes, mom I'm carrying my last box down to the u-haul right now." My cheeriness about the whole move surprises her. Yesterday was my last day as a freshman in high school. They say it's the worst year of high school, which I can totally agree with. Today my parents and I, are moving from North Carolina up north to Ohio. My mom looked at me sideways assuming talking me into moving was going to lead to a teenaged temper tantrum. But it was quite the opposite. She didn't say anything to me, instead she let a warm smile come across her face. Dad: "Is that everything from upstairs Leah?" He asked before taking the last box marked with my name. Leah: "That's everything!" Even he was shocked by my enthusiasm. If they only knew what led to my willingness for a fresh start. The last month at my current high school has led to me counting down until this day came. My now ex best friend Lindsay turned on me. She spread a rumor that I kissed her boyfriend, who I've never even met. Which regardless I'd never stoop that low. Now our whole group of friends have decided to side with her and alienate me. I let myself float thru the rest of my classes silently waiting for today to come. I actually can't wait to see our new home, my new school, and make new friends! I almost forgot to mention, I passed my driver's education course and received my license! I think my parents were bribing me by saying we'd look at vehicles at a used car dealership when we got to Ohio. But I didn't mind. I have some money saved up. -- When we reached the state line my Mom turned around to wake me from my nap in the backseat. Mom: "Leah, honey, we're almost to our new home!" She said, finally excited. Soon after I rubbed my eyes my Dad flipped on the left turn signal. We drove together in my Dad's work truck with some necessities. The movers we hired for the bulk of our belongings will be here in a couple days with the rest. My mom sold her Trailblazer eager for a much needed upgrade. The road we turned down changed to dirt and is hardly wide enough to fit two cars side by side. Tall pine trees lined both sides of the road. They swayed precariously in the slight summer breeze. I'd say about half a mile down the first mailbox appeared with a #2 etched onto it. Again the left blinker clicked on and I eagerly scooted over to get a better view of our new home. At the end of a short driveway is a well maintained lush green lawn spanning the length of the house. The house is a beautiful two story log cabin exterior with an attached farmers porch. Set slightly behind and to the left of the house was a huge BARN! That's one thing I've always wanted, a horse of my own and a barn at home to keep them close by. We couldn't have a barn in the city we used to live in. Our new home has plenty of room to spare! Leah: "Mom! Dad! There's a barn!!" I stated very matter of factly trying to hide my excitement. Dad: "We knew that would help sweeten the deal of moving this far north." I have yet to experience large amounts of snow and a very cold winter.. Mom: "Your father and I would like your help unloading the pickup and bringing the boxes to their proper rooms. When that's done we can all look over the barn together." They've never seen me so eager to do my chores. I've wanted a horse since I could walk. But living in the city my only opportunity came from working at horse farms in trade for lessons. I've never had a horse I could call my own. I ran around from the pickup and inside with boxes at least 20 times, I honestly lost count. I found my new bedroom and became really excited to decorate. It's a large room on the second floor with two windows facing the huge field of a backyard. I stared out for a moment imagining my horse roaming around enjoying the grass. I snapped back to reality when I realized my chore of bringing in boxes is done for now. "I really want to see this barn, decorations can wait." I said to myself. Leah: "Mom? Dad!? I'm all finished! Where are you?" I said loud enough for my voice to be heard. It may have echoed more than I intended since the house is practically empty still. My parents simultaneously walked around the corner from where I think the kitchen is. Leah: "Can we please please pleaseeee go see the barn now?" My Dad tried to hold back a smirk before saying "we suppose you've waited long enough." With the verbal permission I bolted out the front door, down the porch steps, and down a stone walkway to the double sliding barn doors. I tried to be patient by waiting for my parents but the excitement was killing me. I yanked the doors open and had to use my entire 5.5 foot self to slide the doors open. I guess they haven't moved in a while.. I let out a sigh of relief after I muscled both doors open to find a very large first floor. But it was too dark to see any further inside. I looked around and found a light switch. I flipped it to on but nothing happened. My parents joined me just then. Dad: "Let me check the electrical panel inside to see if the old owners just switched it off. I'll be right back, please wait here, we don't know if there's any broken boards across the floor." He turned around to head back inside. I turned on the flashlight on my phone and went to take a step further inside. Mom: "Leah, you heard your Dad, we don't want you hurting yourself." She said in a stern voice. The front door to the house opened and my Dad said "try it now sweetie," from the front porch. I did and everything came to life! Most of the open spaces on the first floor are filled with old furniture and decorations that have been left behind. To the right of the door was a fallen in set of stairs leading up the half loft and a catwalk bridge across the rafters. Upstairs seemed to be empty. Leah: "What if we hold a yard sale to make some extra money towards rebuilding the inside of this place?" My parents shared a look that said 'that's a lot of work..' Dad: "That might work, for this weekend.. but.." he paused.. "we did agree that you would get a job in town here to help out." Leah: "I know, and I will, this week Dad I promise." Mom: "Okay we can hold a yard sale. How about you go unpack some things and get your temporary air mattress ready for bed?" She said it as a question but I knew better than to argue. I let out a huge sigh and made my way up to my new room to unpack and get ready for bed after dinner.