“Double Face ”

My parents pulled up in the spot next to us, and Mom rolled down the passenger window. She reached across to hand us double packaged veggie wraps from home and a bag of my favorite fried sweet banana buns. Buns were only reserved for special occasions. And right there, we dined as a family for the first time in parallel. This is nice. Despite the rain wetting our laps and having to put up our hoods for dinner, I genuinely meant it. Itis. Ican ’ tbelieve this is our life now, butI’ m really happy we didthis. I memorized this image of my family framed by the windows of my getaway car.

Heavy, dark rain clouds chased us all the way home, but I felt like the rays of sun that fought their way through. This car, the road, the wheels in constant yet aimless motion no longer felt like just an escape –as cathartic as it was. It was now my enabler. No longer was I witnessing life outside the car. I was living and breathing again.

The Wayne Literary Review: Escapism