Down The Ladder

Chapter One: Daddy's Little Girl.. Sometimes

"Oh my God!!!!" I screamed in excitement. My dad drove in through the gates of our new property. It was all sunny and the large house sat there in front of us like a mountain. It was the biggest house we'd ever purchased and I could barely keep still in my seat. I wanted to run inside and see how big my room was. My dad promised it would be big, but left it as a surprise and didn't tell me how big.

My dad sat there driving towards the house, grinning intently. He suddenly parked in front and didn't unlock the doors yet.

"Now, Lauren. Before you go in, I want you to open this." He smiled softly and got out a small box that wasn't wrapped. I grinned and opened it. Car keys lay there. My dad smiled and just murmured; "I heard you like Jaguars."

Alright. Now having a super rich dad totally pays off. I screamed, practically bursting my eardrums - but it was totally worth it.

"Go nuts." My dad said and unlocked his Porsche. I instantly opened the door and ran around the house in search of the Jaguar. I found it at last, parked in front of the orchard. As soon as I saw it, I fell to my knees and allowed my jaw to drop on the floor. It was beautiful - a shiny black convertable with leather seats. This was mine? MINE??

I heard my dad walking towards me, shoes crunching with the gravel. I turned around, my eyes watering in happiness.

"You like it, sweetheart?"

"I love it, Dad!" I jumped up and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much!"

"Now, Lauren. When you were at your mom's, I took the liberty of arranging the furniture in your room."

I let go of my dad and asked him excitedly; "Which room is it?"

He smiled, little wrinkles forming at the sides of his mouth.

"Second floor, go to the left and you'll see Rob's room - your's is right next to that one. And Lauren, I'm taking him to your mom's today."

I didn't want to ruin my excitement - because I was so happy about the new house and car. But I hadn't seen my 12 year old brother in two weeks - I wish Mom would get a bigger house so there could be room for both of us to stay there at the same time.

I just smiled warmly at my dad and gave him a gentle push. "See you inside."

I ran to the entrance and started walking up the stairs. I turned left and saw my brother in his room, playing piano. Autistic children always have a very special talent that is considered a prodigy. My brother's talent was piano. Already at 12 years old, he was Grade 7. He never needed lessons. Rob was playing Flight Of The Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov like a professional. I didn't want to disturb him, so I headed for the room next to his.

It was beautiful. My king-sized bed, my bean bag chairs, my TV, stereo and computer were all placed where I would have put them myself. I smiled - the thing that made me happiest, was the view from my window. As I looked out, I saw the orchard and the road leading down to the city.