The baby-sized blanket lays on top of my pillow. The threads are soft as they come to a fray at the corners. The washed out pink color resembles the color of a light pink daisy. The smooth trimmed edges fall effortlessly when it is thrown to the ground. The worn out fibers feel soft and thin to the touch. The rips on the edges and in the middle become so normal I cannot remember what it was like when the blanket was whole. Permanent marker and chocolate stains illustrate the years of my childhood. Smells of fresh laundry seep into the fibers leaving it smelling fresh and clean.

   I hear a knock at the door. It's my father reminding me that we are already running late. He pressures me to get my suitcase packed up and rush out the door. I feel pure excitement a because I know what the day holds. We will be going to Universal Studios and then traveling to the coast of California. I quickly and frantically pack up my toiletries and clothes and shove them in my suitcase. I walk out of my hotel room into the fresh Californian morning. The warm wind strikes my body as I walk down the stairs. The sun peeks out slightly off the top of the buildings. I hear the rolling of suitcase wheels as they drag against the concrete. I start checking things off a mental list in my head. I believe I have everything, but my happy and excited emotions drown out the list checking.

   After an exhausting day at Universal Studios, I struggle to lift my feet off the ground to walk back to the car. All I want to do is lay my head down and fall into a deep sleep. I manage to fall asleep for about an hour before I am awoken by the lights of a fast food drive through. After eating some fries, I reach back into the trunk to open my suitcase and pull out my blanket. But I cannot find it anywhere. Panic rushes through my body. The air is cold and thin as the A/C blasts through the vents. The windows feel cold on the top of my head. My dad’s cheerful 80’s music starts to slightly irritate me as the synthesizer rhythms lock in my head. The bright lights above the highway shinedown in my eyes trying to fight back tears. The smell of the freshly polished leather fills my nose. White reflective strips on the road hypnotize me as I stare down through the window. I hear the hum of the engine as the car smoothly cruises down the highway. I look over to see my best friend Tristan soundly asleep but I cannot even comprehend the idea of falling asleep myself.

   I begin to worry less as my exhaustion consumes me. My dad assures me that my blanket has to be in my suitcase. I start to cry as I believe I have lost the blanket forever. I cannot help but think my most intimate possession that has comforted me for my whole life is gone forever. The years of memories, the countless tears it has wiped off my cheeks, I start to relax myself and just focus on something else.

   My father and best friend sit only a couple feet away from me in our rental car. My dad focuses intently on the road and cars in front of him. His night glasses reflect small beams of light off of the glass. Tristan lay sleeping in what looks to be an uncomfortable position, but that’s normal for her. Her eyelids completely still as the bumps of the car shift her body. The street lights above illuminate her natural blonde highlights making them shimmer. Her breaths are calm and slow. I wish I could sleep like she is. I wish I could effortlessly curl up and fall into a deep sleep, but closing my eyes only makes the tears come faster. Terrifying thoughts rush in my head like cars on a busy highway. I sit back and focus on Tristan and try to mimic her peaceful sleep as I finally close my eyes.

   We finally reach the new resort we will be staying for the next five days. I want to feel pure joy but I cannot fathom it. I smile and try to distract myself as I know it will all work out in the end. The keycard swipes against the card reader as it beams off a green light. I hear the click of the lock as a bust open the door. I proceed to throw my suitcase on the perfectly made bed. I pull the zippers and swing open the top. I throw my clothes, toiletries, shoes, and snacks all over the freshly cleaned floor. At the bottom of a gift bag, I feel the soft fibers brush against my fingertips. Instant relief fills my body as I let out an immense sigh. The blanket was in the gift bag all along.