Mj kept her Toyota Camry in the fast-lane, her hands tight about the steering wheel. She managed to take her eyes off the road for one second to look to her right. Outside her passenger window was nothing but metal. Oh, how she hated tractor-trailers. She quickly put her eyes back to the pavement and pressed on the gas pedal just enough to let her go by the truck. Immediately she was relieved and immediately she put on her brakes.

“Stupid people. There’s a slow lane, you know!” she said, her voice rising with each word. A quick look back to her right made her shut-up and tighten the grip on the steering wheel again. She was never going to get away from that truck. Today was officially terrible.

After five hours of fighting traffic, Mj finally saw Exit 108 and took it gratefully. 

[i]“Welcome to Sunnyside, where we’re always happy to see the Sunny Side of you!”[/i]

The corny little sign brought a smile to her lips. She was home. As strange as that was to say, it was the truth. Her Uncle Charley and Aunt Vera had actually told her about the town during their Christmas visit. Though they actually lived a few miles away in Maple Springs, they spoke nothing but good about Sunnyside.

“You’ll love it, Minerva Jane! It’s perfect for you,” her aunt told her. 

“Vera, you know she prefers to be called Mj. Don’t tease the girl,” her uncle defended.

“Charley, she’s an adult. She’s going to have to get rid of that little nickname sooner or later. A strong woman isn’t offended by her name. She embraces it and uses to her advantage.”

That had been six months ago, and now here she was in Sunnyside starting a new life for herself. She cleared her throat as she turned down a little road named Grassy Lane. To be honest, there was nothing grassy about this lane. It was nothing but asphalt, concrete, and homes. Down the road a little ways, she saw a man and a young girl talking beside an old, beat-up car. What men loved about cars, Mj didn’t know and why that girl was with that strange-looking man, Mj didn’t know (or care), either. She tossed her hand to the right anyway, in a strange wave that she doubted they would see. That was the thing about being raised in the south; you waved at everybody.

“116 Grassy Lane, 116 Grassy Lane…” Mj muttered to herself as she finally got closer to her number. “110, 112, 114…. 116!” She slowed down and turned into the driveway, stopping short of her garage door. This was the first time she had seen her new home in person and her blue eyes stared at the front door for what felt like ages. This place was actually hers. Everything about it was hers. Of course, the home was furnished with the furniture, but it was still hers!

Mj opened her door and finally stepped out of the car, her legs throbbing. She put a hand on the roof to steady herself and once she felt like she could walk, she made her way to the front door. Her honey auburn hair, frazzled from the drive, could clearly be seen in the reflection of the screen door. She was a completely sweaty mess that a shower was sure to fix, but first she had to get everything in the house and set up. Finally, Mj was excited. Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all.