The window had been left open the night prior, allowing the morning mist to seep through the screen. As he rose, RJ could feel the dewiness of the early hour stick to skin his like a blade of grass. Usually the slices of light bleeding through his blinds awoke him. But on this particular morning…his 6570th morning to be exact, he had risen before the sun.
For awhile he just lied awake anxiously, desperately attempting to return to dormancy. But as each minute passed the probability of returning to sleep diminished. Eventually, he decided to make his extra time somewhat productive by pacing around the room, collecting and sorting his possessions into what should and shouldn’t be brought. Once the night sky began to lighten to a gray and then soft blue, he had reduced his “should” pile to a week’s worth of grooming necessities and clothing, including casual and dressier options. He was encouraged to pack light and minimalist, a difficult feat especially when the date of return was unknown. But no matter how long he would be away, he figured they would provide the proper utilities to clean the week’s wardrobe, cycling through it as often as necessary.
Making his way to the bathroom, he washed up and changed into the outfit he had prepared the night prior. Combing his hair back, and buttoning up his dress shirt he repeated to himself that first impressions are paramount. Although exiting the room looking presentable, he knew that no degree of wrinkle-free attire could make up for his lack of charisma. Running through the endless possibilities of what awaited, he envisioned an endless interview in a small colorless room. Preparing himself for the line of questioning, he recited a series of common questions and answered them out loud as he scurried around the empty house. Making his way to the kitchen he mumbled, “Well what I think I contribute to society…” but he was disrupted by what he saw on the kitchen table. Upon it was a single card and small wrapped gift.
Inside it read, “Happy 18th Birthday son. Good luck. See you soon. - your parents.”
Folding up the flimsy, cheap card and placing it in his pocket, he continued to the wrapped box. Inside was a pair of wireless earbuds, branded EarBits, a knock-off of HearBuds. They were customized to his exact skin color, blending into his ear perfectly concealed.
Looking at the time, he hurried over to the “tech station” as his mother had coined it, located in the adjoined living room. Quickly, he downloaded his entire music library onto the EarBits within minutes and grabbed a charged battery pack. Suddenly he heard a buzzing from the wall speakers alerting him that a visitor was at the front door. Placing the EarBits and battery in his bag, he raced over to the cooling cupboard, picked out a meal shake, and ran to the door.
Taking one big breath before opening it, he was greeted by a smiling woman with severe features and tightly pinned back hair. She was wearing a quite expensive looking business suit and immediately RJ grew insecure, wishing he had picked a dressier outfit.
“Happy Birthday RJ.”
“Thank you,” he responded.
“Do you have everything?”
Looking down at his bag and back up he replied, “Believe so.”
“Well in that case follow me,” she said turning around, pacing down the path through the lawn.
Turning around, RJ looked back into his house once more before closing the door shut. “Leaving” he announced out loud. It was followed by a clicking noise as the doors locked and house’s security system turned on. Following the woman down the path, he was lead to the curb and into a large bus parked alongside it. Down the aisle she led him to his assigned seat in the very back, next to the one other passenger, a rather large young man of obviously his exact age, although he appeared older.
“Pretty empty, must be the first ones,” RJ stated before sitting down.
The guy seated next to him didn’t respond, but continued to look out the window, his arms wrapped around the small bag in his lap.
Placing his larger bag down between his feet and awkwardly adjusting in his seat, RJ silently sat trying to conjure up a statement that might stir up some type of response from the shy stranger.
“Happy Birthday,” RJ remarked, as the van began to roll forward.
The stranger chuckled. “Thanks, same to you.”