“Are we going on a trip?” he asked.
“Yes, Tommy, we’re going on a trip.”
“Is it going to be a long trip?” he continued, knowing the answer.
“Very long, love,” she responded.
“Are we going far?” he pressed.
“Pretty far, kiddo,” she confirmed.
She packed feverishly, not bothering to fold the clothes. Rockabilly music blared from the radio, and the sun sat high in the sky. Tommy sat at the edge of the bed, his mouth a bright blue from the melting popsicle in his hand. The small, black and white television flashed cartoon images. Outside of the small hotel room, the world stood still. Dust floated languidly through the quiet air. The mother and son inside had been there only a few months. It was time for a change.
Tommy and his mother had been moving every few months for over a year now. One day, she picked him up from school, and they were on the road. She told him they were going on a trip and handed him a thick book to read on the road. They’d get to their new destination, exchange their car for another, and live in a hotel for a few months. From each location, Tommy would get at least five books and, at times, he’d get ten or more. He had two large suitcases exclusively for his books. When he’d had enough of one book, they would sell it or donated it to the local, library. At eight years old, Tommy was better-read than most adults. His mother would read the books afterward, and they would discuss them together. This was the crux of their relationship.
They would go out for dinner and lunch “dates,” and discuss their books over meals. They’d spend long days reading in bed or by the hotel pool. They’d enjoy picnics and tour their temporary homes. On occasion, Tommy would meet other children and make friends. Inevitably, though, his mother would come home from some job and start packing. She didn’t need to speak; he knew it was time to go.
“Where are we going?” the boy asked, after a long pause.
“Somewhere where the wind blows, dear heart,” she whispered smiling a dreamy smile.
They packed their suitcases into the car, turned in the room key, and began their journey. On the way out, they stopped for gas, and Tommy picked up one more book to read on the road.