Free Writing - character voices
audio: https://soundcloud.com/tia-188659352/tiakeo_findyourvoice20
“Goo-bye Mama, I wish I didn’t have to go,” her youngest whimpered as he wrapped his arms around her torso. He was short enough that she still hugged his head more that his body, but he was due for a growth spurt and she knew everything would change after that. “Oh honey, you’ll have so much fun with your cousins,” she assured him as she kissed the top of his head.
“Uuh bye,” grunted her oldest, as he whisked past her, no hug or even eye contact. Oh, how she wished she knew what was going on in his head, “See ya, bud. Have fun!”
“Bye Babe. Gotta go. Don’t want to be setting the tent up in the dark.” He gave her a quick hug and a kiss before adding, “Enjoy your alooone time” - drawing out that last bit enough to suggest he was either jealous or sad that she preferred to be alone over hanging out with him and his brother and their boys. “Thanks, Babe. I will. Have fun with the boys!”
She didn’t even walk them out to the van, since she had helped pack it and it was nearly 90 degrees out there. Instead she stood at the window and watched them pile in. They were ready to go and she was ready for them to go. It had been a month since school let out and this was the first 48-hour stretch on her own since. She waved as they pulled away from the house and suddenly everything felt more silent that it had just a moment earlier. She was alone.