Life Preserver

Chapter 4

I've been having a bit of writer's block lately. I know, I know, I'm only 4 chapters in, but I still can't think anything good. So... I'm really sorry if this is totally awful, but there's nothing I can do until I get unstuck.
**********************************
My mom's angry voice is still echoing in my ears as I trudge into my room and collapse onto my bed.
The old, tattered comforter was a quilt that my grandmother had made for me as a child. It was one of the last things Grandma made before she died. I don't remember her very well though. She died when I was 5 years old.
Believe it or not, my mom was absolutely furious at me for being late. I told her the truth about my detention, but that certainly didn't help matters.
I'd already resigned myself to the fact that 8th grade was going to be terrible. I get a mean teacher for the last class of the day. He has us write an essay for homework, keeps me after class for detention, and now my mom has grounded me for being late.
At least she let me keep my phone. "Abigail! Bring me your phone!" My mom called. I spoke too soon.
I sighed and reluctantly walked down the stairs to give my phone to my mom. She met me at the bottom of our staircase and took my phone.
"You can have your phone back tomorrow morning before school if you set the table" my mom told me.
I frowned, but still made my way into the kitchen. I may not have thought that my mom was being fair, but I would take any chance that I could get to earn my phone back.
I reached the edge of our kitchen and Bailey immediately pounced on me. I laughed, my mood immediately improving. I gently pushed Bailey down and went to set the table.
"I'll feed you in a second, girl, ok Bailey?" I asked my dog. "Abigail," My mom yelled. "Are you setting the table?
"Yes, mom!" I replied. I went over to our silverware cabinet and retrieved 3 forks. "Hey, mom!" I called. "Yes, honey? "What are we having for dinner tonight?
"Just get out 3 plates! Dinner is a surprise, so I don't want to ruin it for you! "Thanks, mom!" I said. I grabbed 3 plates and set them on our table, along with the forks.
I studied the intricate design that was painted on the plates. I'd never payed much attention to them before, but the way the beautiful blue trees swirled together gave me a strange sense of tranquility.
The feeling of peace made me forget my irrational dislike of the 8th grade long enough for me to remember that I'd forgotten something. I had realized just then that I'd forgotten my yearly tradition of making a resolution on the first day of school, so I decided that it would be to pay more attention to the world around me.
I nodded my head in approval and jumped as I saw the face in front of me. "Dad!" I screamed. "Don't do that to me!"
My father laughed, a deep boisterous sound, and threw his arms around me. "Hello to you, too, Abigail!" My dad exclaimed.
"So, Dad" I started. "Are you gonna tell me what we're having for dinner? "Nice try, Abby, but you'll have to wait a little longer." My dad told me.
I folded my arms and pretended to pout for a couple of seconds and then burst out laughing. "I suppose I'll just have to wait" I said, consenting to my father's words.
"How was work? "It was wonderful, Abby! Thank you for asking. How was your day? "Ugh, don't remind me. It was awful. Can we talk about it later?" When I said this, I was referring to the nightly talks my father and I have. It started out as a stupid bonding thing, but our talks are a great way to vent anything you've been thinking. The best part is, everything said in my room during those talks stays in my room.
"Hello? Is there anyone in there? Earth to space cadet Abby!" My father shouted.
"Sorry Dad! I must have zoned out." (Again). "I was saying, Abby, that you should feed Bailey now that you've set the table. You're 13 now, so you need to start being more responsible.
"Ugh, Dad! Too many lectures not enough jokes!" My father was the best joke teller there was. He always came home with a few jokes to tell.
"Alright," my Dad started. "Why did Frosty the Snowman get kicked out of the grocery store? "Why?" I asked. "Because he was picking his nose in the vegetable aisle!" I started cracking up, but my laughter was short lived.
Bailey had started barking extremely loud. I sighed, one of my many sighs today, and went to go feed my attention-hog of a beagle.
I quickly filled Bailey's dog bowl and set it down in front of my hungry pooch.
Then, just to make sure that I got my phone back, I folded napkins into triangles and placed the forks on top of them.
I turned around, the delectable scent wafting from the oven finally reaching my nose. My mouth hung open and beginning to salivate, I realized that I smelled: "SPAGHETTI!"
I shouted my discover of our dinner and began bouncing around like a kangaroo on steroids. As you may have already guessed, spaghetti is my absolute favorite food, and I was shocked that my mom had decided to make it, especially not since I was home late.
My father, who had gone into the living room with my mom, and my mom came into the kitchen.
"That's right, baby girl," my mom said. "It's spaghetti for tonight. Good job setting the table, by the way.
"Thanks for making spaghetti, Mom, and thanks for the compliment on my table setting skills. "Alright, my lovely ladies, lets have dinner." said my dad.

******************************
Hi guys! (Guilty face) I am so sorry that I haven't updated in *gasp* ALMOST 2 MONTHS!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I am so sorry that I haven't updated but like I said at the beginning I hit some writers block and I didn't really feel like writing, so... Anyway, I might quit this story and go write a dystopian society book, but I'll try a couple more chapters. I'm going to try to write the dystopian society book anyway but I'm going to prewrite several chapters before posting. Thank you for your loyalty, vote, comment, and tell your friends. Bye guys!!!