Otters

Chapter 2

"What's the casserole for?" I asked Mom as I munched on a bite of chicken she cooked.

"We have new neighbors across the street," she answered quietly, avoiding eye contact while leaning on the table with her elbows and pushing her food around with a fork.

"New neighbors?" I asked. "Did Mr. Harrison finally give up the ghost?" I reached over the table for some bread and butter.

She nodded her head. "No, the one house next to him."

I raised my eyebrows. "Reverend Jones?" I asked, taking another bite of chicken as I buttered the wheat bread. "Really good dinner by the way."

Mom smiled weakly. "No, Shane," she replied softly. "Cindy's old house."

I slumped back in my chair. "Oh," is all I answered. I wiped my mouth with a napkin. "I think I'm going to go lay down. I'm not feeling too well." I stood up and pushed my chair in. "Later, Momma," I said as I kissed her forehead.

Cindy was my girlfriend about two years ago. We were crazy about each other until something awful happened a couple years ago. It ended in her dying so her parents, not being able to live in that house any longer, moved away. We used to keep in touch, but as the months went by, it was time to let go and move on.

I slammed my bedroom door shut and pounded my fist into the wall, letting my anger out.

Yeah, I was mad that people moved in. I was mad because that was Cindy's house, but she's gone.

I plopped down on my bed and ran my fingers through my hair. My hands were getting antsy so I reached into my pocket and slid out my almost empty box of cigarettes. I picked one out of the box and grabbed a lighter off of my dresser. I walked over and cracked the window as I lit it.

"Shane!" I heard my mom yell from the bottom of the stairs.

I took a long drag of the cigarette and blew the smoke out the window. "Yeah, Momma?" I cleared my throat and tossed the box of cigarettes onto my bed.

I heard her footsteps crawl up the stairs to my door. "I'm about to head over to the new neighbors'. Would you like to join me. I understand if you don't -"

"No," I interrupted. "No, it's okay. I'll go with you." I took another drag. "Just give me a second."

I could hear her sigh through the door. "Alright, meet me downstairs. And make sure you're wearing a coat!"

I rolled my eyes. Can always depend on moms to be the most annoying people ever when it's cold outside.

I left the butt of the cigarette in an ashtray next to my bed, shrugged myself into a jacket, and grabbed a beanie before stumbling down the stairs to leave. "Ready, Momma?" I asked.

She nodded and held up the casserole. "All ready," she said with a forceful smile.

I opened the front door for her. "Here, let me get that," I said as carefully took the pan from her.

"Thanks, Shane." She walked down the steps of the porch and waited for me before moving forward. "Are you ready?" she asked solemnly.

I pursed my lips. "I don't think I'll ever be ready," I answered honestly.

We jogged across the street. My mom and I stood in front of the door nervously, taking deep breaths. We glanced at each other before my hand reach out to push the doorbell.

The door swung open revealing a pregnant brunette with curly hair and pale skin with piercing blue eyes. "Yeah?" she asked, seeming a bit frazzled.