Goodbye, Texas

This week we have a memoir from Karen, written in the present tense, about saying goodbye.  If you've ever had to move, or say goodbye to family and friends, you should read this.  It's a moving piece.

I feel my heart beating as I am on my way to school.  It is just a usual day in the heart of the lone star state of Texas.  I am so eager to sign up for the Spanish spelling bee.  I do not know if I am good enough to enter or not, but hey, it's always good to try.

When I reach the bill board to sign up for the Spanish spelling bee my jaw drops open.  I cannot believe how many people have signed up already.  The Spanish spelling bee is six weeks away, and I need to study.  A lot.  I am looking for spaces available, and I see number forty two is open.  I quickly reach for the pencil and write down my name in the space.

I am relieved that my name is written down.  Plus, I remember that I do speak Spanish as my second language.  My Spanish teacher Ms. Rosalinda gave me a thick Spanish spelling bee book, to help practice for the spelling bee.  I am pretty sure I am going to win this year.  It is almost time to leave, and I am so eager to tell my parents about me signing up for the spelling bee.

When the school day ends, my best friend Selena and I walk home to tell my parents the great news.  It is still shiny and bright as the sun rises over our eyes.  When I enter my house I see both of my parents sitting on the couch looking concerned.  They both don't say a word when I tell them Selena is coming over.  They tell me to take a seat.  "It's just to talk."  They also tell Selena that she has to head home.  They both look concerned.

"Mom, dad!  Look.  I entered the spelli..."I get cut off by my father.

"We need to tell you something, and it might be upsetting."

I am nervous to hear the news, but when my parents say those three ugly words I never wanted to hear, I am shocked.

"We are moving," my father announces.  I am speechless.   My heart feels like it's ripping a whole other side of me.

"Whaaa-ttt?" I finally say.  Then they start to explain the whole situation.

"We are moving to this nice, safe town called Hopkinton.  And it snows there.  It's also in Massachusetts."

I can't believe what I am hearing.  I start to get furious. 

"But Mom, Dad, there's the Spanish spelling bee and I signed up for it!"

They don't seem to care much.  I think about all the things I could lose if I don't argue about this situation: my cousins, friends, grandparents, uncles, aunts, my dad, and especially my home.  I'm so upset and disappointed.  This is probably the most upsetting news I've ever heard.

I rush to my room, slam the door, and call Selena.  I'm not the only one who's upset about this.  She's upset too.  She starts asking questions, and I tell her as much as I can.  I take out my Spanish spelling bee study book and throw it in the trash.

"Guess I won't be needing this anymore."  I think about how now I'll have to tell everyone what my parents told me, and how it will disappoint them.

I think in my mind, "I bet there's no one like me.  What if I have no friends?  Would I learn the same math?"  There were so many questions.

I finally finish packing, with some homework besides that.  I can't bear to do any of it.  Instead I ask myself why.  I never get an answer.

During dinner, I barely eat, even though my mom has made my favorite dinner, salmon with lemon and salt, with white rice and corn.  My parents constantly change the subject.  I don't.  After picking through my fish and rice, I run upstairs, upset.

"Honey, come back!  Can we talk?"  calls my mother.  All I give her is the slam of my door.  I already know she is upset at me because of that.  I just can't stop my cold heart.  I let out tear after tear after tear until I finally fall asleep.

The next day I skip school to say goodbye to all my family.  I'm glad not to go to school because if I have then I would just break more hearts.  My parents and teachers are going to have a meeting about moving.  Selena and my classmates make me goodbye letters.  That is a gift I will never forget.

My mother finally tells me about where we are moving to.  I don't care; I'm not in a good mood.  I have time to say goodbye to all my loved ones, and then we head to the airport.  All my family comes, but I can't even say a word.  My heart is broken.  I say goodbye to everyone and leave them behind.  My eyes are blurry with tears.

When we get on our plane, we sit down in our assigned seats, and I look back one last time at my home and blow a kiss.  "I love you, Texas.  I'll never forget you."  Those are my last words to my home.