Where I'm From (1)

"I am from clothespins, from bleach Clorox and sunny days. I am from the black, rich dirt under the back porch that gets stuck under your nails. I am from the butterfly bush, the sweet peach tree, whose fruits of labor we take each and every year. I'm from orange fudge and flowers stretching from across the field. I'm from the know-it-all and the rumors that aren't even true. From eat your vegetables and hang up the phone. I'm from strong southern values, with the gospel in my heart. From the 10 commandments and Sunday is church."

"I'm from Viola Davey and Eric White, who came across the ocean so that I may have a home. From fried corn and strong coffee. From the finger my grandfather lost in World War 1 as a young boy, to my father wearing an eye patch to try to keep his sight. Under my bed was a dress box spilling old pictures, a shift of lost faces. Dreams that I wrote down, goals I wanted achieved. I am from those moments. I snapped off before I budded. A free-falling flower from the family tree."

I look up from my note cards and everyone applause and cheers. "Congrats graduates of 2011!" I cheer into the microphone. Everyone screams and the principal leads us into the moving the tassel over and then we throw our hats in the air. I watch my family smile and clap and my friends run onto stage, screaming that we made it through wild times and this was the end.

But I wasn't happy. Nor sad. I was content. I was glad to leave. Sort of. "We did it girls!" Regina screamed. Destiny wiped her teary eye. "I'm gonna miss y'all." She sobs. Leanne pulls her into a tight hug. "Sweetie, it'll be ok. We'll visit once a year." We all agree, but I had plans to never come back. "Willow!" I turn and see Beau walking over.

"Beau!" I smile, taking his hand. "Party tonight. My house, got it girls?" He tells us. Regina smiles. "Do we got it? We are always on it." She grins, a hand of her hip. "Get." I correct her, but it's not like she listens. Beau eyes Destiny, whose mascara is smeared all down her face. "Give me a hug, my favorite Beau!" She sniffles. He smiles and gives her a hug. Leanne rolls her eyes, and unzips the top of her blue gown.

"Girls, you're looking good." She says, grinning at Foster and his group. Regina takes a glance at Foster, which I know they both like. "Willow?" I look up at Beau's face. "Ready to go?" I nod, and we leave. After I give my mother a hug and my father a quick peck on the cheek. "Congrats, princess!" He had said, grinning. My mom smiled next to him, her eyes all welled up.

I shook my head as I reread my speech. I couldn't believe it was six months later. I was sitting in my dorm at the University of Tennessee. So I didn't get out of the Southern states, but I was out of San Felipe, Texas. I twirled at a piece of my dark brown hair. "Willowww?" My roommate called. "In here." I reply, stuffing my stuff in a cardboard box and slid it under my bed.

Pam walks in, holding a flower-pot. "What's..." I start. "My class project. We are planting some plant or flower, and you have to hope it will grow." She explains, setting it on her desk. "Like faith?" I ask. Pam snorts. "It's a physiology class. It's hope." She tells me, wiping her hands to get off some excess dirt off.

"Ah." Is all I say. I turn to stare out the window. "Willow..." She begins. "I'm fine." I quickly tell her. She nods slowly. "I know someone who's great at talking." She tells me, grabbing my Biology homework and scribbling a number down in red sharpie. Perfect... She hands it to me. "He's great with words." She tells me, winking.

I just watch her leave, and stare at her pot. How were you supposed to know what the heck you were "hoping" for? I sighed. Some of these professors... just didn't make any sense. All the projects, I didn't understand the points too. I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever make it out of college and get a good job. I mean I had good grades, but how was I ever going to apply myself?