Since I was a little girl, I have lived in a small ranch house, only a few minutes from the highway. My life had always been okay. I never had many reasons to complain. My mother always loved me, just sometimes she loved me too much. I was home schooled for my entire life. When I had turned eighteen, I had hardly left my home.

My mother is a totally separate story in herself. She grew up in a family that never cared what she did, or if she was even there. I believe that is why she wants to be in control of my actions. Actually it should be called a lack of actions. Every day I would watch from my room window other people my age, going with friends, and going somewhere. I liked to imagine where they were going, or who they were meeting. I did not know what the world was like, but I strived to find out. The next night, after my mother tucked me into bed, I decided to leave for a little place called Albuquerque. The place where the television said you can forget your troubles, and at an affordable price.

When I left, I didn’t bring much with me, only a few shirts and a couple pairs of pants. I stuffed them into a tote bag that I had found. I was not sure how to even get to Albuquerque. I knew that I had to go south, but I was not sure which way that it was. I headed towards the highway, the place with fast cars and bright lights.

After sneaking out of the window, all I could do is walk. The night air had become very cold, and I forgot to bring a jacket. It was to late to turn back now. If I went back for a stupid jacket, I would wake my mother up, and then I would never get to Albuquerque. I kept walking to try and stay warm. I could hear the sounds of the cars, and that was my only guide to get to the highway. It was my only way to get out. I started thinking during my walk what Albuquerque would be like. I was hoping that it was a place full of excitement, a place where you can make a name for yourself, and a place to possibly call my home.

Suddenly, there were bright lights shining into my eyes. They had seemed to be coming at me at a hundred miles an hour. I tried not to look at them because they hurt my eyes, but then they came to a screeching halt. The sudden blinding lights were now gone. I could finally see the car, and the door opened. A man came out of the car, I began to walk again, hoping to pass him without a conflict. “Why are you walking down the middle of the road?” the mystery man yelled to me. I did not know what to say, but something like this came out, “I am trying to get to Albuquerque”.

This is how I met Evan. I rarely had contact with people before, especially men, but I was instantly drawn to him. After telling him that I was going to Albuquerque, he told me that he was going south, but not to Albuquerque. Then he asked me if I wanted a ride, he joked that it would take an awful long time to walk there. I got into his car. It felt so awkward to be in someone else’s car, that was because I was only ever in my mothers before. Once he began to drive, there was complete silence. Around twenty minutes later, he spoke again, “So what’s your name?”

“My name is Nora” I tried so hard to be brave, but I was still scared, and I even wanted my mother. Evan asked me why I wanted to go to Albuquerque. “Well, I want to go there because it’s not here”, I told him. Then before he could even get another question out, I began to spill the details of my life to him. I told him about my mother, the reasons why I wanted to leave, and then I began asking him questions. I soon became very comfortable with this new person. I asked him questions about what he does, where he was going, and more that I cannot remember. Learning about his so called normal life, I learned that it wasn’t like what I had imagined. After around two hours of asking him questions, I became near exhausted, and I fell asleep with my head against the car window.

When I woke up, the car had stopped. I began looking around for Evan, and I didn’t see him right away. All I focused on were all these people, crowding in this one area. I saw these gray buses, I mean that is how I knew what they were because they had looked like a school bus, only gray. I had no idea where I was. I got out of the car, and I started walking towards these people. Then, out of the corner of my eye, it was there, Albuquerque. The very large, even obnoxious sign told me that I was almost there. It was only one hundred and sixteen miles away! I was still amazed by my discovery, and then I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around, and it was Evan. He was holding a bus ticket for me to go to Albuquerque. He told me that, “The ride stops here, but your trip isn’t over yet”. I thanked him for everything that he did for me. I gave him one last hug. I smelled his hair, it actually smelled good. I hugged him longer than I had hugged anyone in my lifetime. I had never experienced a rush of feelings for someone before. I don’t know if it could be considered love, but if it isn’t it is pretty close. I would miss him dearly, and I never wanted to let go, but I had to. That is what my trip was about. So I let go of Evan finally, then waved goodbye once I got on my bus. I was so happy to meet him, but now my joy was focused on Albuquerque. I was nearly there!

When the bus stopped, I was finally in Albuquerque. So, I began to walk around the city, and it really was full of excitement! The streets were full of people, and seemed to be bursting with life. It was a very strange and eye opening experience. I looked in my pocket full of money, and I had $2.78 in change. I decided to go buy a soda.

Sipping on my grape soda, I once again began to explore my adventure. The city has a lot to offer a girl like me. Bright lights greeted my eyes nearly everywhere I went. Different people, all doing their own business, but a few gentlemen tipped their hats to me. I could only smile, because I wasn’t sure what else I could do. I walked passed a diner, and smelled something familiar. Apple pie, and it smelled so good. A feeling of home enveloped me, wrapping me in the comfort that I left behind. A sadness came over me, and a sense of reality. What was I doing here?

My eyes began to gush with tears. I was far from home, and missing it more than ever. I missed my mother, even if she was controlling. I was not ready to face the world yet. I knew that things had to change back home, but it is where I needed to be. I took out the rest of my change from me pocket. I had to call her.

The phone rings, “Hello”, said a very familiar voice. “Mom! I am in Albuquerque, and I just want to come home!” I cried into the telephone. I could hear my mother crying on the other end, it made me think about how my little trip had hurt her. I tried to calm her down, then I heard the best news ever. I was going back home, she was buying me another bus ticket to get back home, and I get to ride one of those gray buses again.

So that is the story of my very own trip to Albuquerque. I realize now that my home was really not that bad. I think that sometimes you need to experience what other places have to offer and what new people are like. It helped me to appreciate what I already had. Oh, and my mother was so happy to see me, but soon after that happiness turned into anger. I now never leave her sight, but I guess that is okay, I just know that she loves me, even if it is too much.