Mom shifted in her seat, her gaze flicking from the parking lot to the rearview mirror, a bright smile on her face. Her gallery was gearing up for a big exhibition which she was really excited about and I could tell she was in high spirits, enjoying the calm before the storm of activity.
Her fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, but this time to a tune she was humming under her breath, not from the music that was playing on the radio. It was a rare moment of quiet peace, and I couldn’t help but feel happy seeing her like this.
She turned her head slightly, catching me watching her out of the corner of my eye.
“What?” She asked with a teasing smile.
“Nothing,” I said, grinning back. “You just seem... really happy today.”
“You know what Ariah, I actually am.” She admitted with a shrug, her smile growing wider. “Things are finally falling into place. The gallery, the exhibition - everything feels like it’s moving in the right direction. Plus, it’s a new school year for you, a fresh start. What’s not to be happy about?”
I couldn’t argue with that. Mom had been working so hard for this exhibition, and it was nice to see her feeling so optimistic. Her energy was contagious and I felt a sudden buzz of energy surge through me too which seemed to help eradicate the uneasy feeling that had taken root in my stomach.
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Feeling much better, I smiled back and relaxed into my seat once more.
“Oh, here…” She said, giving me a playful look as she reached behind me into the back seat then handed me a small paper bag. “Don’t forget your lunch!” Her tone was lighthearted, but I knew she’d been up early to make it, probably while thinking about a hundred other things she had to do for the gallery.
“Thank you.” I said, taking the bag and opening it to take a peek at what she’d prepared for me. Catching the familiar scent of my favourite sandwich: turkey, cheese, and just the right amount of mustard, packed neatly between slices of Mom’s homemade bread, my stomach growled in appreciation. The smell of the food filled the car, reminding me of all the little things she did to make sure I had what I needed. From the perfect lunch to driving me to school when I missed the bus, she always made sure that she was there for me.
I leaned back in my seat, the comfortable warmth of the moment settling in and filling my heart with love. Glancing out the window, I watched as the school parking lot continued to fill up. Families rushed around, kids with backpacks hurried to meet up with friends before classes started. There was an excited buzz in the air, a sense of anticipation, and I couldn’t help but smile wider.
For once, everything felt right. The day was starting off smoothly, and I could sense that the year was going to be different - better.
As if she could read my mind, Mom reached over and gave my hand a quick squeeze, her expression still bright.
“It’s going to be a great year, Ariah. I can feel it.”
I nodded in agreement. I thought so too.