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“I can’t believe you stole a shopping cart.”
“It doesn’t count as stealing if it was abandoned!”
Bobby laughed, shaking his head as he continued to push the metal cart down the sidewalk. “I really don’t think it counts as abandoned just because the store has been closed for a week.”
“It does count! They’re basically permanently closed. Anyways, they’ll never notice one cart missing.” Reggie explained for the hundredth time, the bags he had around his shoulders bumping around his ribs and hips.
Bobby rolled his eyes fondly at his friend. “You’re such a dork. And I still don’t think that this was the easiest way. They won’t even fit into my car, Reg.”
“It’s easier to carry everything this way. Less trips.” The shorter boy explained again, voice a little softer with nervousness.
The air around them changed, electrically charged and tense. Bobby sighed and quickly grabbed his friend, stopping him in his tracks.
“I know, I know. This is a good thing.” Reggie mumbled, sincerity ringing through even past the obvious unsureness and pain.
Bobby shook his head, trying for a smile, “C’mon. Hop in.” He patted the handlebars of the cart, listening to the metal slightly jingle as the contents shook inside of it.
“Uh, what?”
“Get in. This is going to be fun. Today is not a sad day, Reginald Peters, and I refuse to let you make it one with your overthinking.”
Reggie blinked, seeming shocked by Bobby’s insistence. After a moment, a smile flittered onto his face and he haphazardly climbed onto the multiple duffel bags and grocery bags, settling his own belongings around himself.
“Good. Now…Enjoy the ride!” Bobby grinned and then he began to race down the sidewalk, air smelling of a coming storm, the sound of footsteps and laughter beginning to surround the two boys.
Reggie grinned, beginning to relax and slip into this more playful mood. He whooped as Bobby rounded a corner, nearly toppling them both. It was exhilarating.
Bobby was right.
Today was a good day.
Today was the day he and Bobby were going to be packing up Bobby’s rusting van full of all their belongings and finally escape. Escape Reggie’s shitty parents and Bobby’s empty house.
It had been a long road to get here. Years worth of fighting and pushing and saving as much money as they could. And finally, they were leaving these people who didn’t care. Finally, they’d make the great escape and be free of all of this.
Free to just finally be themselves.
Reggie grinned, Bobby’s recent words finally pushing into his head and out of his throat. “Goodbye is just a new beginning.”
“Hell yes it is, flower.” Bobby grinned, words caught on the wind. “Hell yes it is.”