Norma and Wilbur argued good-naturedly in the front seat.
"I think we should take her to the mall," Wilbur said. "It's seems to be the most popular place for kids to hang around."
"Wil, we should take her to a designer store. She'd love it there. All of those wonderful clothes," Norma said wistfully.
"It's awfully expensive at those stores, Norma," I said. "I think the mall is much better. I don't really want to be an imposition."
"Oh, all right. Now I've got both of you gangin' up on me," she teased.
So, the first mall we saw I went inside, and shopped around. Norma kept seeing stuff that she liked, and insisted I buy it. She had exceptionally good taste where teen clothing was concerned. Wilbur just kept looking at us like we were a bunch of nuts.
Finally, he convinced us that we had enough, and that we should leave. Norma whined all the way out to the car. We loaded up, and we set off. I was pleased with my clothes, though I knew I would never be able to repay them for what they were doing.
I woke up from a nap. Wilbur was humming a tune, and Norma was singing along with the jaunty melody. Wilbur joined in. I listened as their voices went on in perfect harmony. Their voices were sweet and full, clear as bells. I tapped my toe to the beat.
I soon learned the chorus, and joined in. Wilbur laughed a bit, but we all sang together. I will never know exactly how much damage I did to the duos perfected song, but I do know that it was never more in-harmony than it was when all of us rode along, singing and smiling.
After a bit, we tired of singing, and just laughed instead. Then Norma straightened. She turned back to me worriedly.
"Jess, do you have any idea where we're headin'?"
My head jerked up. Truthfully, no. I had no idea. I didn't even know where I was born. I felt tears stinging my eyes. Wilbur saw the water building up, and pulled the car over.
"No matter, Jessie. We'll figure it out. Let's see. Do you remember anything about the town?"
"I remember a curb, and my backyard. There were some woods around, but that's it." I shook my head, disturbed. I wanted to dream now, but I couldn't. I looked for a sheet of paper. I found a receipt on the floor. I dug for a pencil, which I found tucked away in the pouch in the door. I tried to sketch in a memory, and get some ideas, but I was at a loss.
"Jess, we'll find it. Don't worry. Well, do you remember what you last name was before you were adopted?"
I nodded slightly. I knew that no amount of concentration would get me anywhere.
"No. I have no idea."
"Well…" Wilbur just got quiet, and we drove on. I struggled to remember for the longest time, until we reached yet another gas station.
I felt utterly exhausted now. My mind was like a pot of mush, and I simply couldn't get anything out of it. I closed my eyes, and felt the gray cloud covering my eyes. I knew what to do. I tried to resist, and stay away, but felt myself accelerating into the world of the past.