//------------------------------// // The Drive Home, From His Eyes // Story: From Their Eyes // by moviemaster8510 //------------------------------// The hell do I even say to her? I mean, of course I’m going to get around to talking with her, but I’ve never been great at starting conversations, or even conversations that evolve past simple small talk. And what the hell do I even say to her? “So!” My mother, God bless her, starts the conversation for me. “Please, tell me what it’s like in your world. Is it nice?” “Oh very much so!” I glance over to the talking horse sitting beside me and see her looking forward at the back of my mom’s head, not paying me any attention. What I great choice I was for this program. “I caught a glimpse of the skyline as we were leaving. That’s Chicago?” “Mmhm! I used to work down there a lifetime and a half ago, but Dave knows Chicago like he’s lived there his entire life.” There she goes, exaggerating my knowledge and abilities… again. “I worked there for a few years.” “Really?” Letty turns her sights to me; give it to Mom, she knows how get the ball rolling. “What kind of work?” “I did video editing and motion graphics for an advertising company downtown.” Mom points her finger at us, injecting herself back in. “And you did a lot of social media videos and sizzle reels for–” “Mom, she’s not going to know what that is!” Shit. “Then you can explain it to her, Dave. That’s how conversations work.” “What do you do now?” Letty thankfully asks. “It sounds like you don’t do that kind of work anymore.” I shrug and relax. “I still do; but I’m doing it on my own now.” “So, like a freelancer.” “Yeah, exactly. I mean, I’m mostly doing odd jobs and projects for friends and family mostly, but I’m… compensated fairly.” “That’s awesome, Dave! Is that something you like doing?” I always hate simple questions that demand more complex answers. “When the work is good, yeah, it’s actually a lot of fun. And pardon me, I don’t mean to sound rude, but you do know what I mean by video editing and motion graphics, right?” Letty glances away and straightens her hair– no, mane. Damn. “…Not exactly, but hey! Maybe you can show me a little when we get to your place!” No, please. It’s not that impressive. I promise you. “Why don’t you show her some of the trailers you did in college?” They’re not that impressive either. Please don’t make me embarrass myself. “Trailers? Like movie trailers?” I can’t help but feel a tremendous weight has been lifted off every side of my mind. “Wait, you have movies in your world?” “Sure do! I mean, I hardly ever see them, being so busy tending to our family garden and all, but I’ve been to enough movies to know what they are, yes.” I gently nod my head; perhaps this won’t be too bad after all. “Well, I’m a very big movie guy, and I’ve been making an effort recently to catch up on a lot of films I haven’t seen before. Maybe… you’d like to join me for some?” Jesus, why did I have to make it sound like I was asking her out on a date?! “Sure! I mean, I still kind of need to get moved in still, but yeah, definitely soon!” I’ve always been told I’m not much of a smiler, but I can feel a real one coming on. “Yeah. I’ll be sure to think of some good ones. I certainly don’t want your first Earth film to be a dud, right?” “It’s a date, Dave!” Haha, fuck. “Look at you!” Mom pipes in. “Not even at the house yet and you’re already like peas in a pod!” You’re not helping! “I’m enjoying your company too, Ms. Becker!” “Please,” she coughs through her charmed giggles, “call me Nancy.” “Do you have any other family, Dave?” “Yeah, a sister. Dad would’ve come, but he had calls today.” “Well, I’m looking forward to meeting them both, but to be perfectly honest, I just want to focus on getting moved and settled in if that’s alright.” I look out the window as the orange sunset-lit skies begin to turn a twilighty blue and purple. “You and me both.” “Is everything okay, Dave?” “Fine. I’m just a little tired. And there’s still the rest of the day to go.”