Kings of Convenience

It's much different than I thought it would be. Seven months later, to go back to that place that I left what now feels like a lifetime ago. Although the second I arrive, and step off the plane, and start my drive down the 405, it's like nothing has changed. That's until I see all of them. And they are just as different as one might have imagined. Like they grew up, and yet we talk and laugh and I fall back into the rhythm that I know was once there, but I can't quite bring myself to want to remember. 

Driving once again, my car winding it's way around the streets I used to know. It's quiet, I drive alone, a feeling all too familiar to this place. But in the same thought I think, "this is nice".  Windows rolled down, the sun warming the left side of my face, my other home. I breathe in the familiarity, it comforts me, and I smile at my history's past. I did this. I lived here. Maybe not well a lot of the time, but it is still part of me. A stop on my journey to become who I am today, who I will turn into tomorrow, and who I am to become  in the future.

Soon I'll leave. Again. It's what I did. I left and came back and left again. Last time for seven months, who knows how long until I return again, but I will. I always do.The memories just the same I am sure will come flooding back, no matter how hard I try to keep them at bay. I can see you sitting in the seat next to me. I can see us going for dinner. I can see him hauling a couch up the stairs. And them packing my car. And the little ones yipping and pawing at my heels as I enter my apartment. The memories overwhelm me. There are so many, I practically don't know what to do with all of them. I hope to keep them filed away for the day I want to get back in touch with every single one. But for now, I'll take what I can get, and keep some memories for a rainy day. Although not a rainy LA day, because that doesn't happen all that often.

Another taco, or a Silver Lake cafe, or a Valley Village street, or the traffic, or maybe even the corner that I used to get really tired going around as I made my way home from running. Or my laundromat, we can't forget that. Luckily these places haven't changed. They hold my memories tightly for me, and I love this place for that. 

Just a girl, wandering her old streets, seeing old friends, and remembering that it wasn't all so bad, once she got out of her own way.