"Party time, bitches! We outside in this bitch! Journee, I'm so glad you agreed to go with us! We about to have the best time!" Cassidy shouted as she bumped the music and started grinding in her jean shorts and Tupac t-shirt.

Cassidy, we haven't even left the state yet. We were still packing our luggage into Angela's Range Rover Valer at three in the morning. Our road trip estimates for 12 hours and I was on the list to drive about four of those hours...or whenever I felt like I didn't want to drive anymore.

Anyway, Cassidy screaming on this early Saturday morning didn't make us feel any better. She knew that my neighborhood was not the place to be screaming at the crack of dawn. I live in that kind of neighborhood that stays quiet all the time. Any house that's jumping gets a noise complaint. Even on weekends. This is why I go to other people's houses for parties...that's if I go.

"Cass, cut that mess off and get in the damn car so we can really get our outside on. Also, shut that big ass mouth of yours for the next 12 hours because I don't want to hear it. I'll be sleeping," Darian fussed as Angela and I closed the trunk.

Angela and Darian were those kinds of people that looked mean on the outside and didn't take no shit but, if you were cool, they'd be cool with you too. One of the reasons why I felt better going on this trip. We all didn't take no shit but they don't play or get it twisted. Their eyes stay open just in case someone tries it. It's good to have that kind of person on the trip.

"Damn, Darian. I'm just excited. By the way, J. You owe me a couple of hundreds so you paying for all my drinks when we get there."

"Can we talk about this shit when we get there? You doing the most, girl," Angela called Cassidy to get inside the car while sitting behind the wheel. We were all in a mood because we were all tired and ready to be there already.

It was about to be a long ass ride and everybody but the driver was going to sleep in the car. Let's talk about this half-a-day drive situation. We could've flown or something but Angela thought it'd be better to drive to save money and also because she wanted to see the different aspects of states we went through.

She could tell I don't travel much because being in the car for an hour alone drove me nuts. I was impatient. Good thing we were staying in Tampa for over a couple of days because I'm not driving this long for no two days.

I took a plane one time and that was for a conference on the other side of the state. That was only about two hours. That was cool with me but this driving this was for the birds.

As soon as we all got in, we headed down the road and I thought of Dad's recent visit to my house: a week ago. He's called me every day since.

But as we ate our lunch, he remembered a time when he took Momma to Florida for the first time. It was like she'd never seen the beach before, according to him. She was in awe of the environment because it was just beautiful to her. People were nice to her and she was in the same space with the man she loved more than anything else in the world.

It was the first anniversary of their marriage and I was conceived on the sandy beach of Destin. My parents were some freaks and half the things Dad told me they did made me wonder shudder. I could've gone my whole life without knowing their deeply freaky shit.

Anyway, he shared pictures of their adventures before and after me, reminding me of Momma's favorite place to be. Most of the pictures consisted of them being on different beaches around the world and that was her favorite place to be; in Dad's arms with her toes in the sand. They were such a cute couple.

Momma loved writing. She loved writing poetry and the best place she wrote her best work was on the beach, by the water. She'd sit on the edge of the shore and write in her little brown book words of love.

Dad read a line to me and it made me intrigued to read more of Momma's poetry:

'Without you, the ocean stands still,

The sun grows cold;

Promise to remember our love,

Even after we grow old.'

He cried when he looked through her little black book. He said that Granny let him keep that because it meant the most to him. To be honest, this whole love story brought me back to the same conclusion...

I definitely don't want a long romantic relationship now. I want to discover love and live in it without going through heartbreak and headache. A quick summer romance where we don't have to worry about all of that is fine with me. I couldn't see myself being with someone long term and worrying about every night and day.

Dad hasn't dated since Momma passed but attempted. He says that he's just as happy reminiscing on his marriage with Momma as he would be with anyone else. It makes him feel like she's still there.

The way he described their love for each other was unforgettable. Her touch was delicate and distinguished. Momma's touch was so mesmerizing that you could differentiate hers from so many others. A tap on the shoulder sent Dad weak in the knees, he says.

Dad also explained how much Momma loved to serve in the community. She loved people and did her part to help others because they were firm believers in that. She'd do little things for him to let him know she was there, such as a light tap on his hand, cook his favorite breakfast, and softly place her hand under his chin. Dad's favorite thing about Momma is her smile and I can agree to that. She had a gorgeous smile.

Their relationship was so inspiring that you could say they were 'relationship goals' but, it wasn't for me. I wouldn't want to go through anything they went through at the end of Momma's life, even if it's the best part of the relationship for me.

Dad was so committed to Momma and almost ran away from the army just to be with her in her time of need. You don't see that everyday nowadays. People don't see that part of relationships and, when people show you how much they love you in relationships, you should believe them.

I loved how Dad showed up and showed out for the love of his life and Momma did the same for as long as she could. Their relationship was theirs and they were in control of how it went.

We've become a society that needs everyone's validation for their own relationships and that's not how I'd like to love my partner. Constantly asking others what they think about our relationship when it's none of their business.

This is why I've stayed quiet on social media. Everybody has an opinion when no one asked for it. When I'm ready for that kind of relationship, I'll have it. Until then, my happy ass will stay single.

We stopped at a nearby gas station after about five hours of driving. We needed to stretch, get gas, and eat something. As we all hopped out of the truck, a few guys whistled at us like we're a hot steak or something; catcalling as if we were interested.

Well...one of us was...

"Aye yo, mamacitas! You looking fly as hell! Where y'all from?! Come over here and talk to us, shorties!"

Outer space, bro. Like seriously? That's not how you get ladies...but it's how you get Cassidy. She took the damn bait like a mouse trap with cheese. She was chuckling and being flirty with the guys as the rest of us grabbed food, drink, and gas.

I misjudged her for a second there. She was playing the game like they were. She didn't give those bustas much. Gave them a little and ran away once it was time to get back on the road. Alright, Cass!

We were off after the gas tank was full and Darian drove us for about the next three hours. Cassidy backed out of driving as she was the designated photographer. I just admired the scenery through each state and made up in my mind how I wanted this trip to go.

Relaxation, meditation, and edification was what I was on. I wanted to manifest in all of that while with the girls. Hopefully, they make my time here as enjoyable as Momma and Dad's time here was. No sex or freaky shit but just pure enjoyment.

****
Hey there, everybody!

Hope you're having a fabulous Monday!

They on the road and I'm excited to pull out the next chapters! Because we're so close!

Anyway, what do you think about Angela (Angie) or Darian (Dari)?

How do you feel about Journee's parents and their relationship?

And what do you hope to see when they get to the beach?

Thanks for reading my story! See you soon! Love ya!