Leaving the Nest — Part One
By Robin Pond
Happy New Story Sunday, Daily Tomorrow readers! This week, nestle into a tangled tale woven by the elusive Canadian Robin. That is, the immensely talented author and playwright Robin Pond! - The Editor
Leaving the Nest
By Robin Pond
“Would you quit hovering?” I snap at her.
“I’m only trying to help.” My mother, a roundish middle-aged woman, has the unique ability to appear hurt while still smiling.
I grab the blouse she is attempting to fold, ushering her out of my bedroom. “I’m quite capable of packing for myself.”
But, returning to the suitcase laid out on the bed, I immediately regret losing her help. All my clothes are going to end up wrinkled because I’m too excited to properly pack myself, my thoughts continuously straying back to the orientation, all the wonderful scenes from the University, majestic buildings, plush green lawns, hordes of smiling students milling around, limitless possibilities, boundless potential, exciting new adventures.
Eager to get going I emerge from the bedroom, my large suitcase in tow.
“Oh, don’t you look nice.”
“They should be here soon.”
“Are you sure you’ve got everything?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Your id and payment card?”
“Yeah, I’ve got my wallet.”
“Your desk fan? And what about an extension cord?”
“Check and check.”
“An umbrella? And you’ll need a first aid kit.”
“Enough! Mom, please stop fussing.”
“But I just want to be sure you have everything you’ll need.”
“Mom, I’m going to be fine. It’s not like I’m blasting off into outer space.”
The knock on the door comes as a great relief, extricating me from endless preparatory checklists. A large grey-haired man wearing khaki pants and a blue cardigan introduces himself as Mr. Wilde and informs us the conveyance is waiting.
I collect my suitcase as my mother latches on, giving me one last hug, embarrassing me in front of the stranger, but I hug back, holding on tight to her warmth, her distinctive perfume scent, Eden, mingling in my mind with every positive memory of my childhood.
When we finally disengage Mr. Wilde motions me through the door. “This is a big day for you. Everything’s going to seem a little different.”
Robin Pond is a Canadian writer of plays and prose fiction. His mystery novel, Last Voyage, was published in 2018 and in the last several years he has published numerous speculative short stories in various magazines and anthologies, including Ginger which was voted Best Steampunk Short Story in the 2024 Critters Annual Readers Poll. Robin’s sci fi novella, Assimilation, and full-length novel, Canaan Within, are both available through Amazon.
Copyright © 2025 Robin Pond