1 Town of Greenvale Population 510 The green road sign goes by so fast I'm not even sure I read it right
Seriously I say Did that sign say Population 510 There are practically more people than that on the block where we live Where we used to live What sign says Dad I need to pee again I say I weaseled a Coke out of Dad at the last rest stop and now I'm paying the price We'll be there in two minutes Mom says as Dad turns off the highway onto a service road It's the first thing she's said in about a hundred miles Dad turns down a tree lined street and then another and stops suddenly in front of another sign Sammy is asleep in his car seat I tickle his feet through his socks and his eyelids flutter but he doesn't wake up This sign is a faded yellow with The Jewel Motor Inn painted in red letters with a black outline Some of the paint has worn off and the wood underneath shows through The weeds under the sign are tall enough to tickle the bottom of the J. On the top someone has taped a smaller sign made of cardboard Closed Reopening Monday July 6 Today is Monday June 29
Dad turns into the entrance and stops halfway into the parking lot next to a little playground that's really just two busted swings and one of those painted metal horses on a giant spring from the olden days There's a sandbox though even from the car I can see it's full of weeds and garbage The playground around the corner from our old apartment in the middle of the city is bigger than this one A lot bigger Dad parks in front of a two story building the color of dried mustard Mom sighs and he leans over to give her a kiss Here's to new beginnings he says Mom sighs again I don't think she likes new beginnings Seeing the Jewel Motor Inn up close I'm not sure I do either Though it's not like I have a choice After Dad lost his job we had to give up our apartment and now my two best friends will be five hours away and having a new beginning without me Dad gives me a big smile the kind adults give you when they're trying to make you feel something they don't Welcome home he says Mom and Dad get out of the car and tell me to stay with Sammy who is still sound asleep his head tilted to one side and his lips pursed like he's
