Willows Creek

Welcome To Willows Creek

I didn't want to move to Willows Creek, Mississippi. A small town with gloomy people and air that reeks of fish. No stores or malls for miles away and all my old friends were left behind. It sucks to be here, but I had no choice. Little Hannah, my sister, sat beside me in the car seat, playing with a toy. And Venny, my Pomeranian, happily sat on my lap. But me? I was not happy.

"Don't pout, Jameson. You aren't a child anymore." Dad clicks his tongue while Mommy sighs.

I'm ten, is what I wanted to say, but knowing Dad, he'll turn red and scary. And I wouldn't say I like when he's red and dangerous. It's not safe for Mommy.

So, I turn away, brushing a long strain of hair away from my eyes, upset and pouty. It was Dad's fault. We're always moving repeatedly, and I stay lonely. It wasn't the first time we needed to leave. Dad wasn't a good person. I know that now. People are always mad at him. And try to hurt him or us. So, we leave. Sometimes we stay for years and others for a couple of months. I can't remember the last time we stayed put. So lonely, and I do it anymore. I want to stay in Chicago forever. I made friends there, and all my teachers were friendly. Even Mommy was happy. But now, we're moving again, after four years, to Dad's brother's place, in the middle of nowhere.

"Look, kids, horses!" Mommy tries to lighten the mood, and I glance to my right, where different horses roam the land. Solid and beautiful, I've always admired horses and was excited to see them race against our car.

"Don't Melissa," Dad scowls, "You are making my son a pussy."

"Carl!" Mommy gasped shockingly, and I wondered why she was even shocked; Dad was always this crud and mean. I think Mommy wants to fix him, but do you set a man who won't learn from his mistakes. The old foul was no good for Mommy or us.

"What? He likes ponies, what do you want from me. No son of mine should like things like that. My son needs to fucking grow up and learn to be a normal boy." Dad huffs and puffs, face starting to turn red. And Mommy says nothing. She never does when he's like this.

And I want to yell, cry, and do anything to get his attention. I am an ordinary boy. But the longer he speaks that, the faster I think he's right.

Then the horses stopped following us, and I like to believe that was also Dad's fault. It would make sense that he's ruining everything beautiful. Again. And I wish Dad would leave us alone. Also, again. Sometimes he would, for a few days or weeks. Mommy was happier with him gone, and I was too. It was easier with him gone. Even Hannah was more alive with him out of the picture. Stupid Dad and his ability to ruin everything good.

None of us say anything else. There's nothing to talk about, not anymore. The rest of the ride was silent, except for Venny's little barks or Hannah's short whines. Mommy was tense at the wheel, and Dad was on his phone, doing whatever. I don't care. He never cares about us, so I'll treat him the same.

"We're here," Mommy speaks, finally parking the car in a driveway. Another car was already there; it was ugly and rundown; I couldn't believe someone actually drove that.

And in front of the ugly car was my Uncle Larry, with the same ugly face as my dad's. The weird big nose and small brown eyes didn't match his skinny oval face, and those thin lips looked nonexistent. It's a pity, and I wish I knew why Mommy married that. But whatever.

Thank God I look like my Mommy, except for my messy hair. Dad likes to call it a bird nest.

But back to my uncle, "Hello!" He cheers, "I'm so happy to see my favorite brother!" Dad laughs back, "Good to see you too, Larry, I can't believe you still live here! Such a dump."

"Hey!" Larry laughs, "This is my dump, and our old home."

Dad only rolled his eyes, shoving his brother before the two went inside. Leaving Mommy and me with everything. But that's okay; I'm big now, so I can help Mommy with everything. "Jamie, could you get your sister inside?"

"Okay." I smiled and went to do what she said, pulling the car door open and working on getting Hannah out. And she did not cry or may any noise as I worked. Hannah was a good and quiet girl; my parents liked that about her. Finally, I pulled her out, her tiny legs hit the mussy ground, but she didn't fuss. So, I held onto her hand and guided her inside. Where Dad and Uncle Larry laugh at whatever is on the TV. But I ignore them and help Hannah into the room that seems ours. Venny was behind us, happily trailing me around. Thankfully, the room was alright; it had two beds, a big dresser, and a tiny desk. Nothing else was added, but that's okay.

Then Mommy enters the room with a huff, setting our suitcase down, only three since we didn't have much time to pack this time.

Mommy pats me on the head and leaves the room again, leaving to get the rest of their belongings.

This leaves me watching Hannah as she curiously roams our room, and I look through our bags. Opening one for me, taking clothes out, and working on putting them away. From the corner of my eye, I watch Mommy pull the rest of our things and march inside. She closes the door, but that doesn't help block the summer heat; the house burns within and out. " Jamie, why don't play outside, I'll watch Hannah."

Mommy came into the room, picking up Hannah, who fussed a little, and I shook my head, " I don't want to. I want to help you, Mommy."

She opens her mouth to say something, but Dad slams his fist into the sofa from the living room, " go listen to your mother! Play outside and be a normal boy, damn it!"

We jumped at the sudden outburst, and Hannah began to cry. So, Mommy was busy calming her down, and I got up from the bed, heart beating fast within my chest as I rushed outside, blazing heat welcoming me. Pushing my long hair out my face, I went down the muddy path, no destination planned. I only slowed when I found myself near the woods; big, scary trees surrounded me. I look up to see nothing but green leaves with pillars of light shining my way.

Nothing stood out, and I sighed, not knowing what to do with myself. If I had my games, I would be happy to disappear from my dad's sight. But there's nothing here but nature. I sighed again.

" This suck," I mutter to myself. Everything about this suck, and I can't believe we moved again.

I hoped we were okay, that Dad wouldn't ruin this for us. But I should know by now that Hope won't give you anything but breakable happiness. For Mommy, I think she'll forever have Hope that Dad will get better; maybe that's why she stays. But I gave up Hope the moment Dad told us to pack. Perhaps I shouldn't, but Hope is something I don't think I want now.

I continue to walk down the small trail I found, staring blankly at the nature around me. Animals did not shy away like most would in the zoo I went to in Florida and deer around Texas. Here, in Willows Creek, Rabbits, and Deers didn't bother with me. And I like that about them. They are cute too. Then, as I walked down the path, I came to an opening, a field of tall golden grass and bright blue sky. It was beautiful. And it might be the only thing I like about living here. It brought a smile to my face as I stride through the field, looking from right to left. Enjoying the view.

I breathe in the summer air before stopping in the middle of the field, spotting something from afar. It was big and old, with paint peels off the edge and wood molding at places. But it still caught my attention. And I walk down the path, eye set on the object ahead, a big well that looks to be from hundreds of years ago. Coming close to it, I notice flowers, ones I have never seen before, surrounding the old well. And the sound of calm water still inside. Finally, I'm looking at it, and inside, where shiny objects lay. Coins? They have silver and gold, and I wish I could steal it. But Mommy wouldn't like that, and I don't want to be like Dad.

So, it's a wishing well? I thought as I stared inside.

And I know wishing wells are fake, like Hopes and dreams, but I like to think this one was magical. Ten-year-old me wants to believe that maybe I can have something. So without a second thought, I reach for a nickel in my pocket, one that Mommy gave me, and eagerly throw it in the well. The slight sound of the coin hitting the water was incredible, and I closed my eyes to make a wish.

I wish that something magical happens to me in Willows Creek. I don't want to leave everything behind again.

And then, I heard a wolf howl.