Free At Last

Universe: Define freedom.

Bobwhite: Eight floors of teenage hormones and not a responsible adult in sight.

The morning I arrived at Central, my parents and I got my room key at the front desk of Troutman dorm, rode the elevator to the top floor, and stopped outside room 802. Dad was carrying my suitcase full of clothes and school supplies and Mom toted my Smith-Corona portable typewriter. I had my arms full with my stereo, albums and a handful of 8-tracks packed in a box. I’d even bought a new cartridge for my turntable.

I was so giddy I’d almost dropped the box twice. I set it on the floor and shoved the key into the lock. That’s when I heard a scrape-rattle-bang come through the door. Obviously, I wasn’t the first here. I glanced at my folks.  Mom smiled and my dad just waited for me to quit goofing off and open the damned door.

I turned the knob and pushed. Picking up my box, I walked in trailing my parents. Inside, I found a fellow in T-shirt and jeans with medium length hair and a stocky build sitting at one of the desks. Doing nothing.

He smiled, got up, and introduced himself.

“Hi, I’m Dan. Welcome to The Zoo. Guess we’re roommates.”

He stuck out his hand and I shook it.

“Bob Wayne. Nice to meet ya. The Zoo?”

“This is a ‘freshmen only’ dorm. Give it a couple days. You’ll understand.”

I didn’t introduce my parents. We carried everything into the bedroom and dropped it by one of the bunk beds. I hustled my parents out the door. I kissed my mom, shook Dad’s hand, and sent them and their misgivings down the elevator.

Free at last!

I strolled back into my room. Dan grinned and opened his desk, pulling out the papers, pot, and ashtray he’d hastily shoved in the drawer when he heard my key in the lock.

“Wanna smoke a joint?”

Gawd, Almighty, I’m free at last!

Hear the author read the chapter…Troutman-Penthouse-Free-At-Last