A New Viewpoint

A Different Viewpoint

“That’s the thing about this city nothing ever changes, or at least never anything important. Why can’t there be anything for a kid to do? There is nothing.”

She sat in the swing on the front porch idly moving it back and forth staring out across the street at the empty house. Feeling angry at being so bored she was just about to go clean her room when a large moving van pulled into the driveway of the empty house. This made her perk up significantly.

“What is this?” She sat forward watching the driver climb out of the truck cab and walk to the back of the trailer and unlock the sliding door. He pulled a ramp down and put it into position then sat down on it and pulled his cell from his shirt pocket. She saw him push some buttons and then he started to talk. She couldn’t hear anything he said but from his hand motions he wasn’t very happy. He put the phone back in pocket and started smoking a cigar and looking back down the highway obviously waiting for someone. She was sure it must be the new homeowner.

Soon the smell of the cigar reached her even without a breeze. It made her wrinkle her nose with the horrible smell. She noticed his head popped up and he stood. She turned to look where he was and saw a tiny speck that grew as it neared them. Soon a black sedan whipped around the truck to the far side of the drive and stopped.

A tall dark haired man met the truck driver near the front of the truck and they shook hands and chatted a few minutes. The noise of another vehicle had her turning back to the road where a van came to a halt behind the truck and it emptied its passengers of six large men in overalls and work boots.

While all of this had been going on she had missed the two other passengers in the car that went into the house. The truck driver motioned the six men to begin carrying boxes into the house. They moved in a very efficient way and soon all the boxes were unloaded and they began on the furniture. In all it took them about five hours to empty the huge truck and then just as efficiently they climbed back into the van and left the way they had come. The truck driver closed the sliding door and relocked it. He took a clipboard to the man from the car and had him sign. They shook hands again and he climbed back in to his truck and slowly maneuvered it around to head back the way he had come. Then all was quiet.

She had not moved from the swing the entire time; mesmerized with all of the activity. She was just standing up to go inside when she saw the front door of the house open and a tall muscular dark haired boy stepped outside. They saw each other at the same time and just stood there not moving then he started walking in her direction. Nervously, she ran her fingers through her hair hoping she didn’t look too bad.

“Hi.” He said as he climbed the porch steps. “I’m Nathan. We just moved here from Chicago.”

“Hi. I’m Alice.” She smiled shyly at him. “It’s going to be really different for you here.”

“I know. It’s going to be wonderful to live in a smaller town. Chicago has a lot to do but it’s so noisy and crowded. And there is so much concrete.” She stood there a moment silently as she considered his comments.

“I’ve never thought about it like that. I always hated the quiet and nothing to do.” They were quiet a moment. “Would you like something to drink? I have some lemonade.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Have a seat and I’ll be right back.” She hurried into the house to the kitchen and fixed a tray with two tall glasses of ice, a pitcher of lemonade and a plate of chocolate chip and sugar cookies. She brought it back out and sat it down on the little table by the swing where he was sitting. She sat down beside him and filled his glass and passed the cookies to him. She filled her glass and sat back to take a sip.

“This is very good. Thank you.” He took another big swallow and a bite of a chocolate chip cookie. “What grade are you? I’m a senior.”

“Junior.”

“How many kids are in the high school?” She thought for a second.

“Six hundred, I think. We’re pretty small.” She sipped her drink quietly.

“Wow! We had more than that in our senior class. It must be nice to know everyone in your class.” She had never thought about it.

“I guess so. Aren’t you going to miss your friends?” He shook his head slowly.

“No.” He said sadly and turned to look out across an open field. “My best friend was shot and killed last week in a drive-by. That’s the main reason my parents decided to move.”

“Nathan, I’m so sorry.” I put my hand over his. “It must be so horrible. I can’t imagine losing my best friend.” I wiped tears off my cheek. “I hope you will be happy here and make many friends.” She paused a moment. “I hope I can be one of them.” She blushed embarrassed at her boldness.

“Of course, you’re my first friend.” He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. A white mini van pulled into her driveway and she nervously withdrew her hand as her mom climbed out of the car.

“Alice, can you help me with the groceries?” She looked over at Nathan and back at Alice.

“Sure, mom.” I jumped and ran down the steps to the car and picked up a few bags.

“Who is your new friend?” They walked up the steps and Nathan stood to take the bags from her mother.

“Mom this is Nathan. He and his family just moved in across the highway. He’s from Chicago. Nathan this is my mother Nancy Collins.”

“Hello, Mrs. Collins. Nice to meet you. Alice was just telling be about the high school and town.” He shook her hand. “Where would you like me to put these groceries?”

“Sorry. Alice show Nathan to the kitchen.” She led the way into the house and Nathan followed her to the kitchen where they set the bags on the counter.

“Thank you, Nathan. Do your parents have plans for dinner? If not, why don’t all of you come over at seven.”

“I’m not sure, Mrs. Collins. I will ask them. Thank you for the invitation. I better go home. I’m sure there is a lot my mom wants me to do.” Alice followed him outside and they exchanged phone numbers. She watched Nathan walk back across the highway and he waved as he went inside.

Dinner was so much fun and Alice forgot all about how bored she had been earlier in the day. She listened to Nathan’s parents talk about the differences from Chicago. All of the stories of the crime and noise made Alice so much more appreciative of her small home town.  She realized that she could choose to be bored or choose to be open to all the small pleasures that little towns offered. And now with Nathan as a new friend her life was filled with new possibilities.

                                                                                THE END