I don't know what I was expecting to find at the lot. Maybe Johnny. Maybe I just wanted to see his smiling face. Maybe I was hoping that I would find him curled up at the bottom of a tree.

I cried when I got to the place where Johnny would usually be. Not only was the car seat gone, but the tree was chopped down. Not even a trace. I looked around and realized that the entire lot was plowed dirt surrounded by yellow caution tape. Next to the street, there was a big white sign. I went and read it:

Coming soon! McKale's Pottery Shop!

Tears formed in my eyes and I broke down on my knees and wept. In a few weeks, the lot would be gone. Replaced by a stupid pottery shop that no one in this neighborhood would care about. Most people in this neighborhood would rather smash pottery than buy it. I stood up and turned away. I wish I hadn't. Across the street and a few houses down was where Johnny had lived. From here, I could see clearly a "for sale" sign in the unkept lawn. The dark house created large shadows on the road. If this was four years ago, Johnny's parents would be screaming loud enough for the whole street to hear about now, but tonight, the house stood silent and abandoned. 

I bolted. Running down the street towards my house. Rain started pouring down and pelting my back and head. I let myself cry out. 

I arrive at my house and don't even bother to grab my suitcase before barging through the door. I ran from the bright and cheery downstairs to the dark upstairs before anyone could even say a word to me.  I threw myself on my old bed and sobbed into my pillow.

_____________________________

Sorry it's so short

Love ya!

CC