Finding August

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: There's No Place Like Home

I was afraid to leave the house at the possibility of running into the man that took a piece of me that would never be returned. It became easier to fall into the trap of being house bound, than facing those fears. I should be living my life. I should be making questionable decisions, falling in and out of love, or just smiling again like I used to it. Instead, the fog that over ran my mind seemed to grow heavier. I was loosing myself as the days passed, and I felt completely out of control.

My thoughts were suddenly cut off by a slight knock on my door.

"August—are you about ready? The driver just arrived." My mother's voice rang through the door as a sigh left my lips.

My mother was the hardest worker I knew. The desire to overcome her financial hardships she had as a child ruled her entire adulthood. She never wanted me to experience going without, like she did many times in her adolescence. She started publishing her work at the early age of twenty-four and here I was at twenty barely making it out of my room.

"I'm coming..."I took a deep breath and did my grounding technique before grabbing my last few essentials for the long journey ahead.

My mother was having writers block, something she hasn't had since her early years of writing. Her new work was a romance blossoming during a summer in Italy. Her publishing company offered a summer long trip to Italy to help with the books progress.

Here I was afraid to leave through our front doors, yet I was leaving the country for a full summer. I had been dreading this trip, but I was hoping I could gather enough strength to finally start living again. Nonetheless, I wouldn't have to worry about running into him there.

My suitcase in hand, a fake smile on my face, and a world of possibilities awaited me. I took in another deep breath as the wind bristled through the palm trees. There was salt in the air, and the sun bounced on my skin. My small town in Florida was comfortable. It was safe.

I ran my hand through my red hair and peered at the sedan before finally jumping in. This was it. It's time to go on our little adventure.

"How are you feeling hun? Did you take your medicine?" My mother reached for my hand with a tight squeeze. My gaze from the car window slowly met her worried eyes.

"Of course. I'm fine." I gave her the most genuine smile I could muster. It must've been real enough because her eyes softened.

"This will be good for you—good for us. When I was your age I dreamt of traveling the world. I'm just glad you're getting to experience just a little of it." She looked out the window herself, I could tell she was thinking about her own childhood. Her father was an alcoholic. He took every paycheck her mother had and used it for his own addictions.

I can put a good face on for her. She deserves this trip.

Besides all the trauma I experienced within the past year, I had a great childhood. My parents got divorced when I was eleven, which I thought at the time would be my biggest heartbreak. I was unfortunately mistaken.

The car pulled to the entrance to the airport and I felt a tingle sweep through my body. I had been dreading the plane ride the most out of the whole trip. A piece of metal flying through the sky seemed to be the most threatening. Ten hours seemed so far away.

I stepped through the sliding doors and the environment is exactly what I was hoping to avoid. My eyes darted around as travelers bustled to their flights. The wails of babies crying and the smell of cleaning products lingered on the floors.

"Oh—we're boarding. We've got to move fast!" My mother started to speed walk ahead of me. The crowd became a blur as I tried to keep up with her. It was  almost a good distraction from all the noise.

Getting on the plane wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It was actually quite simple. I was seated by the window, which I was extremely thankful for. The plane was much bigger than I expected. I had pictured myself in a tin can at first, but I actually had enough room to stretch my legs out in front of me.

"I'm starting to get a bit excited mom. I hope this summer is unforgettable." I fiddle with my hands and carefully look to my mother.

She had a small smile on her face. "I know it's been a hard year August. Don't allow one of the worst moments of your life control the possibilities of amazing moments that will come your way. I love you so much and you'll always be my baby." Her eyes glistened with tears and my heart pounded against my chest with sadness.

"Mom stop— you're going to make me cry. I love you."

I finally forced my eyes closed after hours of turbulence and anxiety. My headphones played soft music to alter my thoughts from panic. In just a "few" short hours I would be stepping foot in the Amalfi Coast.

My eyes fluttered open when I felt my mom grab my shoulder. My headphones drowned out the intercom saying that we were landing. I unbuckle and slowly rose from the seat, realizing I had slept through eight hours of the flight. Travelers pushed through the cramped aisle and I struggled to maneuver past the eager flyers. My legs were almost half asleep as I exited the plane.

The sun felt different here, almost more golden. A yellow, golden hue cascaded on the mountains. The air felt smoother, clearer.

I'm so far from home.

My breath hitched as I realized I was thousands of miles away. My hand twitched and a lump formed in my throat. I dug my nails into the palm of my hand and followed my mother through the airport to meet our driver. My anxiety must have traveled with me.

I quickly shut my thoughts down and continued to the black SUV that would take us to the summer house that would home many memories for us.

This will be a good summer.