The Love of My Death

Part 1

   I've always loved reading, so I never imagined that I'd put down a book for good. Reading served as a detour to help me escape my problems at home, my work-related stress, and my loneliness. You might be asking why I stopped reading, given how much it had helped me, but this is what transpired when I was 18 years old.

   While I get ready for work, I can't help but reflect on how much I've grown and changed. I've taken responsibility for a lot of things that my parents wouldn't. My sister, Lana, relied on me because our mother was an alcoholic, so I've always fulfilled the role of a mother to her.

   We had no idea why our father wasn't home all the time until we learned from our mother that our father had been having an affair with another woman ever since we were kids. For the 12 years that my mom and my dad have been married, we always assumed that dad was at work as he had stated, but when mom finally searched through his phone, she discovered multiple images and videos of him and this unfamiliar woman. Once my mom uncovered that the love of her life had been lying to her throughout their entire marriage, she was shattered. She didn't reveal this to Lana and me until we were older.

   After their divorce, my mother made a life change for which I am proud of her. She decided to use her business education and left her job as a fast food worker. She founded the Nebraska Recruiting Corporation (N.R.C.), a college sports recruiting business for our state. She quit drinking, and as a result, she now visits nearly all 50 states and stays in a variety of hotels for extended periods. She claims that the travel opportunities and compensation make her job enjoyable. Her smile when she realizes she is achieving brings me joy.

   I hum to the beat of my music as I lace up my work shoes and tie back my hair. Beautiful music puts me in a state of flow that makes whatever I'm doing fruitful. The melodies blow around me like wind. Lana entered my room and promptly sat down on my bed, interrupting my rhythm. She drags her words in a phony voice, "Hey, sister!"

   "Cut the sweet sister voice, please." I try to hide my smile from my serious face, "What do you need?" I ask directly. A soft knock on my bedroom door is heard. "Come in," I said. Slowly opening the door, Desiree closes it behind her before turning to face us. As I'm searching through my purse for my chapstick, she asks Lana,

   "Did you ask?" I immediately look up at her before turning to look at Lana.

   Lana responds, "I was just about to ask." I slowly sit down on the end of the bed where Lana's feet are. I asked, annoyed and drained,

   "What now?"

   Lana asks with a wide convincing smile on her face, "I was just wondering if you could drive us somewhere before you go to work?" She struggles to hold the smile while she waits for me to respond while her lip and cheek tremble.

   Her smile fades as I beg, "I can't, I don't have time. My shift starts at 6, and it's already 5:40, Lana. I could have taken you earlier, why didn't you ask after I picked you guys up from school?" Lana shrugs,

   "I didn't think about it until now!" she exclaims. I scoff and ask,

   "What do you even need, first off?" She rolls her head back and grunts loudly.

   She says, "Well, I need you to drive us first of all, and then I need your ID."

   "My ID?!" I yell as I sit up on the bed, "Don't tell me you guys want me to buy you alcohol again?"

   "Bingo," Lana said while grinning. I resist, saying,

   "No, I'm not doing it again, and you guys shouldn't be drinking anyway! You're only 16!" Lana pleads,

   "But we need it to be able to get into a party, Leya!" I slam my palm against my face in disapproval and ask,

   "Really? And another party?" Lana reminds me,