Dreaming of Spring (Rewrite)

Fall: A Fresh Start

Chickadees and Bufflehead ducks alongside the songs of songbirds broke the silence of the land to tell the world that it was time to wake. Those calls and songs were drowned out by the bellowing rumbles and groans of automobiles, an early start for those rising and a sign for those still awake to return home. Petrichor from the witching hour downpour left its scent in the air, if only to be whisked away by the all too inviting call of the bakery from downtown. Whitepine, a city in name only, is beginning its morning routine. The bakery sees their first customers of the morning, the same group of elderly men in different phases of greying and balding. Coffee makers and kettles finishing cycles, breakfasts being prepared, mothers and fathers waking children for the first day of the new school year.    

Castor's phone alarm rang, disturbing the peace that was quickly dissipating from his room, just like the warm air did during the night through his open window. Through groggy and half awake eyes, Castor tapped snooze and let those heavy eyelids shut. Until, the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching made Castor's once unworldly heavy eyes shoot open at lightning speeds. Before he could scramble out of bed, his bedroom door shot open and there stood a figure outlined by the hallway light.

"Good morning Honey! It's 7:40 am, I got coffee on the counter for you and I'm making pancakes when you're ready." Castor's door shut for a moment, then Castor's door opened again for Laelynn, Castor's mother, to poke her head in and whisper "That means you should get up so you're not late on the first day." She disappeared back behind the door and left Castor to decide, would another 5 minutes and risk being late, or coffee and pancakes, be a better start to his last year of high school. He let out a long groanish sigh and sat at the head of his bed, observing the city commence the same ol' song and dance as he was about to partake in.

Castor rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes before reading the missed messages and notifications. Staggering over to his dresser, Castor stopped in front of his mirror covered with stickers, lanyards, and an old t-shirt from a "19 Restless Days" concert, the show where the band made their hometown return, hanging off it. Castor changed out of his alcohol and smoke scented clothes, examining the scars across the lengths of his thighs, holding his breath as he traced the length of them, before continuing on.

"My head is fuckin' pounding, I knew it was a bad idea to party before the first day, I'm going to kill Jamie when I see him." Castor stood for a minute, observing his hanging sweaters "What to wear?" Castor mumbled to himself while digging through the drawers of his dresser,  looking at the options. Settling on black jeans and his black "19 Restless Days" hoodie.

The smell of brewed coffee met Castor outside his door, hitting him like he ran face first into a wall or leading him like in old cartoons where the cloud from a pie would lure you in. Laelynn was sweating over the stove, the sleeves of her white collared shirt rolled up her arms, revealing the tattoos of her favourite flowers, marigolds, lavender, and carnations on her left and large intermingling branches of wisteria vines covering her right.

At times taking a sip from her 9th Doctor mug of coffee. She was making pancakes in fat from the bacon she fried earlier, chocolate chip for Castor, and raspberry for herself.

"Good morning Mom" Castor yawned, taking his seat at the kitchen island, resting his head on his arms on the island.

Laelynn looked up from the stove at Castor and nudged him with his mug full of coffee. Castor groaned. "Did you have a little too much fun last night?" Laelynn let out with a smile, flipping over the last of Castor's pancakes on to his plate.

"What do you mean? I just didn't sleep well" Castor let out before rubbing the sides of his head, as if it would soothe the beating drum inside his skull. Laelynn let out a chuckle and said "Castor, did you really think I couldn't tell that you snuck out and went drinking with those friends of yours? Honey, you aren't exactly the most graceful person when you're trying to sneak" while placing a plate of chocolate chip pancakes in front of Castor.

"Eat up hun, I gotta drop you off a little early this morning, I got an early meeting." Laelynn also passed over syrup and utensils. Castor started cutting into his breakfast, Laelynn stepped outside on the back deck, pacing while sending and receiving messages on her phone, trying and failing to hold back a look of nervousness and anxiety, before stepping back inside.

"Hey Mom, are you going to have any breakfast?" Castor inquired with a mouthful of pancake. Laelynn's expression dropped from nervous to neutral, looking over at the bowl of batter and raspberries "No, I'm alright Castor. I'll pick something up at work." She checked the time on her phone and ushered for Castor to speed up his eating. "Shovel the last bit of the food in your mouth, we gotta start moving. I can't be late for this!" Laelynn moved to the front door and got her shoes on while Castor rushed to finish his plate and coffee before joining her at the front door.

The crisp chilly air hit Castor's face while he glared at the beautiful orange and yellow rays from the sun making its rise from the horizon, adorning the neighbourhood and touching the reflective dew on the grass. The drive is only a few minutes, giving Castor a few extra minutes of rest.

Laelynn's BMW 2 series pulled up to James Henry White High School, poking Castor awake.  "Okay honey! Have a great first day, I only work till five tonight, so we can have our mini Doctor Who marathon when I get back" Laelynn hugged Castor and said "I can't wait to hear all about your first day, I love you" Castor hugged her back and said "I love you too, I'll hold that promise against you. Have a good day at work!" before continuing off school property and joining the rest of the city in traffic.