My Paradox

By Diego Martinez

The week before I moved to college will always have a special place in my heart.

I spent a lot of time in Chicago before I left for college. In a way, it helped train me to become independent. It showed me how to get myself places. Although, it was more than that, there was something special in the air during this time.

I’m a very simple person. I visit the same three stores every time I go to Chicago. One is a media store that sells video games, vinyls, and cassettes; another is a record store; and lastly, a bookstore.

I miss those stores sometimes. I loved the atmosphere, with people always talking about their favorite artists to the cashier at the front and others leaning on a wall reading an autobiography written by an entrepreneur.

Every time I took the train back home, I knew it was one less day I had to enjoy it again. Although I am only an hour and a half away, I felt like I was running out of time. I felt like whenever I would return from college, it would never be the same.

I would visit these spaces with my friends, although I always preferred going alone; they made these moments better, special.

There is this song by Beach House that always throws me back into these memories. It’s the song I put on when I was on the train heading back home with the late afternoon sun beaming in my face.

I will visit those spaces again; they will have that same magic it carries. I know the time being away will only make this moments even sweeter.