In a heartbeat: R.E Version [In Progress]

Chapter 1(R.E): Begin something new

Mom softly sighed through her nose. "I know, Sweetie. I'll miss that place too, but give this place a chance, will you? Your father worked hard to get this house for us, Sherwin" she said softly, looking over at me once before focusing on the road.

"Well, he didn't had to. We were doing fine in the apartment before this" I answered. It's true, I love that place and I doubt this new house could be better than our old apartment.

"Sherwin, your father-" "He's not here, mom. He could always come home and stay with us. But he always choose to work away. The apartment was enough for us, the three of us" I looked back at the window, seeing the city where we lived, now miles away from it.

Mom sighed but never said a word. I stared out, watching as street light was replaced with trees. We are definitely out of the city now. The ride was long and boring, I tried to snagged a photo of a farm land we passed by, only to be a major blur in my instant camera. Next, I took a picture of mom driving she noticed it and demanded another one for a better shot, which I obliged and move to the front seat beside her.

The radio played a country side music and mom was actually enjoying, I couldn't asked to the change the station since she was really into it, a couple of more minutes I was bored out of my mind. I started playing with the window opening them up and down, which I got pinched on my shoulder and a look from mom as a reward.

Hours passed and we're still surrounded by trees. When mom said our new house was a far away place I didn't thought it'll be this far. It's been like 6 or 7 hours now since we left early in the morning, my back is sore from the car ride and I'm hungry. "Are you hungry?" She asked me.

"Yes" I said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She giggled. "There's a diner up ahead. Let's stop there for a bit" she said, laughing as she ruffled my hair. I smiled, happy that I can finally stretched my legs and finally will have something to eat.

It took no longer than 10 minutes before we reached the diner. Mom parked in one of the free parking slot and the truck took the one beside ours. I hopped out of the car with my camera in hand, stretched myself and breathe in the breeze of the forest. The diner was beside the road surrounded by trees beyond with what I can see.

"You go in ahead, Sherwin. I'll talked with the movers first" mom said as she walked to the truck, with the movers getting out of it.

"Okay, mom" I replied, and wasted no time entering the diner. There were couple of people but mostly, by the looks of it, were elderly couples. "Why hello there, young man. Aren't you just the sweetest looking thing" a lady wearing a white dress with a red apron approached me. She had years on her with the white streaks of hair dominate and with the obvious wrinkles.

She had a kind smile, and the hazel nut brown color of her eyes gives off a calming vide to her. I bet she was gorgeous on her younger years.

"Where you from, sweetheart? I haven't seen you around before, most kids around your age doesn't really go in a place like this" she said, as she lowered herself a little bit to maybe get a better look at me. I guess.

"I-i...ummm...I-" I couldn't form a proper word, it was hard. I hid my hands behind my back, rubbing the back of my right hand with my left one. It was a habit I do every time when I'm nervous.

"Aww, sweetheart, don't be shy" she humored, as she placed both her hands on her waist smiling down at me.

"Oh, he's a shy thing alright" mom said as she entered. I look over at her, and pouted. She smiled, pinching both my cheeks. "S-stop" I groaned from both the pain and embarrassment.

"He's a cutie. Your youngest?" The lady with the red apron asked. "He's my only baby" mom answered with huge smile on her face. I know where this is going.