I'm finally getting back to writing. I've been a little side tracked for a while. I have been advised by my friend Angelia to try to write at least twice a week. I have had a rough start but will continue to try. I work nights, so trying to get in the hang of writing will be tough. I am now bringing my laptop to work and, in between calls, writing a little here and there.
My trip to North Carolina to see my mom was great. My son and I drove there and spent about a week with her. It was a long drive but worth the trip. There were a lot of things to see on the way, and a lot to do once we got there.
I left home when I was young, so I haven't had a whole lot of time to spend with Mom. She comes to Dallas to visit about once a year. When my children were young we would drive to Florida for our vacations. It was always, "When are we going to see grandma in Florida?" She had a pool and they loved that. So did I. Over the years I wasn't able to drive down as much as I wanted to.
Then she moved to North Carolina to a beautiful house up in the mountains. She has been there about 14 years and loves it. She does all the yard work herself. During our visit we took a walk up the mountain. I couldn't keep up with her. She once walked 3 miles everyday for a year. I struggle to walk a mile in a year. She is a wonderful mom and I love her a lot.
I was her problem child. I caused a lot of trouble at a young age. So, I ended up flying back and forth from Florida to Dallas, Texas. In Texas was my dad and the step-mom. I mean to tell you, she was the typical step-mom from hell. I will go into more details later. I always wondered why every time my mom took me to the airport she wouldn't take off her sun glasses. As an adult I now know why. She didn't want me to see her cry.
Although in hind-sight, I wish she had let me see her pain. Maybe that would have shaken me up and gotten it through my thick head that she did really love me. I was a very confused young girl. I was insecure and scared. I was miserable and didn't know why. A boy-friend talked me into running away to Coral Gables Florida. It wasn't that far from home, but I went with him. I was so gullible that I went right along with it. I was only 12-years-old, and I was gone 3 days. Somehow, Mom tracked me down. She asked me what I was doing, leaving like that. I wasn't able to explain to her any of the things that had been going on for years. I just felt guilty and afraid. She thought about it, and asked if would be happier living with my dad. I thought perhaps I would, so I said said yes.
It was summer, hot, and school was out. Next thing I knew I was being taken to the airport with a small suitcase in hand. I don't remember even seeing my sister and brothers before I left. I had never flown and was flying alone. Mom hugged me but wouldn't say much. She kept her sunglasses on the whole time 'till I got on the plane. I was a little excited but didn't really want to go. What I wanted was for her to make me tell her what was wrong and to fix it. That was what needed to happen.
I arrived in Dallas at the Love field airport and met my dad and step-mom at the gate. My dad hugged me big, smiled and said he was glad I came. I was so nervous. He handed me a small white bear with a red ribbon on it and said, "Welcome home."
My step-mom acted sweet as pie and took me in right away. It was a long drive to get home. Daddy was still in the Army, he was stationed in Mineral Wells. We went to the Post Exchange and got me a few things. Then, they showed me where I would be staying. I remember the hard wood floors and the way the house looked like an apartment. It was a duplex with another Army family next door. My room was comfortable. I laid on the bed for awhile, just listening to the sounds outside. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew it was dark and my dad was knocking on the door saying it was time to eat.
Next day we went to the Post Exchange for shopping. My step mom had one daughter with my dad at this time. I fell in love with her right away. She was so cute and lovable. It wasn't too long before I realized why my step -om was so glad I was there. She suddenly had a very cheap baby sitter-and-maid combination. It didn't matter much. I was shy and didn't make friends right away. I stayed to myself a lot and didn't mind staying in the house because it was very hot during the Texas summer. Florida was hot but I'd had a pool and the beach nearby to cool off. Here they had a pool, but I was nervous about being around all the new people.
At the store, my step-mother had let me pick out a swim suit. It was a two-piece with a jacket cover up. My dad said it wasn't covering me enough but she said it was the only one she could find. It made me look like I was 18. So of course, the GI's were checking me out when I went to the pool wearing it. She got a kick out of letting them flirt with me and then telling them my age. She was weird like that. I was embarrassed, but developed a liking for the attention it got me. That was the beginning of a long hot summer in Texas.
Kimy-Jo
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