Routine

The last few days still fresh on her mind, Terry slowly picks out her clothes for tomorrow.

Climbing the hills and enjoying the water park with friends, and ooh, summer camp, what fun! Movie nights and sleep overs were the best.

Sneaking out and getting caught, lessons learned, oh well, tomorrow, must get back in the routine.

Clothes picked out and sipping some lemonade, Terry calls to her mom and says: "Maybe after this year, I will be able to move out and make it own my own."

"I will put on college apps and some job applications as well", Terry said with a certain determination. She had done so much of her bucket list and fulfilled a lot of her childhood goals that now she saw the need to take this year more seriously. All thanks to this summer's adventures.

Life is too short and she was getting older and wiser, to her mom's delight. She was hoping for such a change in her daughter's outlook on life and was pleased it came with the coming of the fall season this year in particular.

Thinking I'm no spring chicken, her mom was really needing her to step up and help out.

Terry went out and sat on the back porch swing and just stared into the distance wondering what schools should I apply to, should I stay close to mom or would or even should I dare venture further, for she is in need of my help. Better yet, what jobs can I apply for, what can I do? With her mind filled with questions and with the sense of responsibility tugging and weighing on her, sleep fell upon her on this slow and lazy but nice and warm day.

Mom woke her when calling her to wash up for dinner. All was quite at the table but only till dessert. Terry asked mom what did she think she was good at so she could apply for a job and they talked about what schools she should apply for. After dessert, they both sat on the front porch and gazed at the starry night sky.

There was some giggling as they remembered some of the awkward days and funny moments and troubles this last summer brought.

Now it was time to set the alarm and get ready for bed.

They turned off the outside lights, headed upstairs, each to their rooms, wondering what tomorrow will be like. For mom, the quiet day routine would start again and for Terry, the school routine except this time instead of having to get up early and catch the bus, she would be driving, for earlier in the day she had managed to secure a parking pass from the office at school.

New beginnings yet same routine, what will tomorrow bring?

Terry closed her eyes and before she knew it, she was out like a light.

Seven o'clock came and off she went to school after eating a hearty breakfast of pancakes,eggs and sausage along with some orange juice that mom had fresh sqeezed.

Thinking, I will miss this once I go to college, Terry gave a sigh and then smiled thinking of how good it was.

She made it to class and to her surprise, on time. There was a long line for parking, looks like everyone that could got a parking pass. It seems like no one wants to ride the bus this year or we are all just growing up, she thought to herself.

Hoping she had everything she needed, Terry sat down among the middle rows of the classroom with her mind set on making the grade and doing her best.

A friend from last year came and sat down beside her. Terry almost didn't recognize her. Her hair was cut very short and she had gotten a permput into it. She was wearing make up to boot. When Terry realized it was Mary, they hugged each other and promised to catch up during lunch, which they did.

They spoke of far away places, trips taken, people met and their adventures and what their plans are now and hopes for the future.

Before the lunch ending bell rang, they wished each other success in their future endeavors and promised to cheer each other on.

Back in the swing of things, after lunch, it was elective classes and then more core classes before it was time to go home.

This year was no different, homework was on the schedule, first day back, well beack in the saddle again. I must buckle down so I can make my own way and be a source of help for mom, she thought and with a sense of purpose, got to it.

Mom came and checked on her, peeking through the slightly opened bedroom door. A proud smile slowly filled her face and she quietly retreated to her room.

Here we go again she thought but this time she new it was going to be different and better. Same routine but a new start, for her and her daughter.

Homework finished and now on the brink of starvation, Terry wandered into the kitchen looking for something to quell her hunger.

She found some beef stew left over from what she figured mom had for lunch. She put it into the oven to warm and went to check on mom.

Seeing the door not quite closed, she took a peek and mom was soundly napping in her rocking chair.

Terry thought to herself, it must have seemed like a long day to her, I will make her a sandwich and put it in the fridge so when she awakes she will have something to eat, that's how I can contribute for now.

Smiling with satisfaction, that is just what she did, then ate herself and got ready for school by putting her homework in her bag and setting her keys next to that and then got her clothes and put them on her chest for tomorrow morning.

Yes, getting back into the same routine for one more year.

"I think this year is going to be fun and another wonderful adventure for me," Terry said quietly under her breath as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.