Next Door Neighbor (Part One - 1966)

1 - Default

Week 1

'A new year is upon me. Last night, Daddy came home in another mood. Mom was acting... strange. Quiet, distant, and scary. I'm real worried.'

'For once, I just want the good life."

January 1, 1966

Reneé Household
Phoenix, Arizona

Aurora

I closed my handbook, and set it in a safe crevice in my desk. It was a sanctuary that no one could get through. The innermost thoughts, going through my mind. I felt free, ready to fly away from this place. A small three bedroom in the middle of a suburban penitentiary. My father never expressed his emotions well, and let them build.

My little brother was a roaring typhoon of energy and emotion. One moment, he'd be scurrying onto the wall. The next, he'd be buried into my shoulder crying. Mostly caused by my parent's outbursts.

My mother had other, issues.

I'll explain that later.

A slight scowl painted my face as I saw myself. A tan narrow face with two dark chestnut orbs, so full of something even I couldn't see. My nose was slender and my nose, rosebud. I didn't think I looked all that different from all the other little girls in my neighborhood. I guess something was off about me. Maybe the way I dressed?

I loved dresses. Summertime. Peaceful thoughts equaled the beach, with endless blue waters. But life did not equal heaven. I learned that really quickly whenever I was a really little girl. Things I never truly understood, that my parents hid.

But I was a perceptive little scamp. I never rest until I knew the answers. I was determined to actually live, and not be held back. Huh, pretty optimistic for a six year old girl? Yeah, I guess.

I needed something. I just couldn't see what it was yet.

-

Gary, Indiana
Michael

"What the hell?!!" A shrill and girly voice squeaked. Ha. Gotcha, fool.

"Michael! Marlon!" Jermaine whined. Quit being such a baby, I thought amusedly. Jermaine happened to walk into our room at the wrong time. A large bucket of water intended for Jackie, or even better, Joseph. Hey, what's life without a little risk?

I giggled to myself as he sloshed out into the living room. The carpet even looked stained from his footprints, and then came the guffaw from our mother. Mother was an amazing and kind lady, the best! I know she just felt so proud of her son, me.

"Jermaine, did you really slosh around in my house?" Mother's tone became more strict and no nonsense. Oh, the joy.

"Mother, shouldn't Michael and Marlon be the ones you're angry with? They're the one's who did this to me!" Jermaine complained. I peaked sneakily around the corner, and saw him. His hair was all shriveled up and weird lookin'. His clothes were sticking to his clothes like a wetsuit.

A sigh. "I have." Mother said, looking at Jermaine as if this were the most obvious thing in the world. "Honey, remember we warned you to check the doorway? Next time, I suggest you listen to what we said."

"So they won't be punished?" Jermaine looked astounded.

"I suppose." Mother replied. "That depends. Will I have to irrigate your ears?"

"Mother!"

Mother couldn't help but laugh at that. I joined in with her. Silently. From my spot here in this corner. With what I can only say is x-ray vision, Mother saw me. She raised an eyebrow at me, and her eyes ventured from 'Maine to me.

Jermaine caught her eye and followed her line of sight to me. He looked murderous. He made a move to come my way, mother put an arm around his shoulder. It was awkward as she already had a bowling ball sized belly! She mentioned something about having another baby. I think we have enough already.

We have Randy. And Maine. Well, he might as well be Vermont. Jermaine protested as Mother turned him towards her, and with a towel she grabbed from the oven, scrubbed his face. I could only here the mumbling of protest coming from the confines of that rag.

"M-m... s...ah!"

"Stand still, Jermaine. You need to take off your shirt and pants. I'm not having you track any more water in my house." Mother said, removing the rag from his face.

"I-in here? In front of you?" Jermaine stammered. A fierce shade of fuchsia found his cheeks.

"I will leave the room." Mother assured. "I'll go get you another pair of clothes."

"Oh... okay." Jermaine said unsurely.

Mother smiled before leaving him. She came my way and stopped briefly. "Michael, darling... go clean up the mess you made." Afterwards, she scurried off, leaving me befuddled.

--

Aurora

Time passed and the day turned slowly into night. As with every night, I spent most my day locked in my room. Before I knew it, came that increasingly familiar knock. "Come in." I whispered.

The door opened slowly, and in peeked a tiny face. My brother, who could only be the spitting image of my mom came in. His eyes were like mine, but his skin was a beautiful mahogany. Like usual, they were filled with uneasiness.

"James." I mumbled. "What's wrong?"

"I- they'll fight a'gin, right?" He whimpered. "Right? All night."

I stayed silent. All I could do was beckon him forward into my embrace. He ran forward and threw his arms around me. The entire weight of the day was bearing down on both of us. A six year old like me can't deal with this. I've not been alive that long, but I know when something is very wrong.

"Rora?" He asked softly. His voice muffled as he was still buried in my shoulder.

"Yeah?" I replied, stroking my hair.

"We'll be together fo'eva, righ'?"

I shuddered for a moment. Thinking of James' life without me. No one to protect him, to love him. My parent's being so far up themselves, they couldn't see us suffering. I only clutched him tighter.

"Yeah. Forever." I smiled.

-

Wooohf. I honestly need to write more drama, ha. But seriously, I thought we'd established Aurora's situation before Michael. And Michael being comedic relief through this chapter just felt right. Hope you enjoyed, and stay tuned.