Smile

Chapter 7: Unwanted Dreams

"Rosa! What are you doing?!"

"Don't worry, Papa. It's just Mama's special medicine."

"Benjamin! Let me explain."

"Phoenix, go to your room, please."

"Yes, Papa."

Phoenix ran to her room and Benjamin was furious.

"What the hell are you doing?! You have a family to think about! You have Nix to think about! How long has this been going on for?!"

"About 6 months..."

"You better not have been doing it around Phoenix!"

"She's the reason I do it, Benjamin! She drains the life out of me like a leech. We were so much happier before her. Now we barely even speak to each other."

"You make me sick! How can you say this about your child?!"

"I wish she wasn't! I wish we never had her! And you're going to have to choose, Benjamin. It's her or me."

Benjamin laughed.

"You seriously think after all this, I'm going to choose you. We're leaving today! I'll be sending you the divorce papers."

Benjamin walked into Phoenix's room and saw her crying.

"Phoenix! Don't cry, sweetie, we'll be ok."

"Why doesn't Mama like me?"

"I don't know, baby. I'm sorry you had to hear that, Prinsessa. But Pappa still loves you very much. With all his heart and he'll never ever stop. We can go and live in the city, in a tall building where we can see all the pretty lights. Would you like that, Nix?"

"I love the pretty lights!"

"You better pack then."

Phoenix went and began to pack her things. Her father shouted for her to hear.

"Jag älskar dig, min lilla fjäril." (I love you, my little butterfly)

"Jag älskar dig också." (I love you, too)

Everything began to fade, and it wasn't long until everything became a memory. Phoenix jolted when she heard a truck honking. She was back in the present and sighed.

"You ok?"

Phoenix turned to her left and saw John, hands on the steering wheel and looking at her with concern.

"Yeah. Just a dream. It's nothing."

Phoenix looked out the window and saw they were now on the highway. John knew something was bothering her but he didn't press it.

That dream...it's been years since I had that dream. I've forgotten about that day. And frankly, it was something I wanted to forget. Sometimes I wish there was a box in my brain, a box that I could put all the nightmares and unwanted dreams in and lock the box. That was the day my parents divorced, and I'm glad it was. But that doesn't mean that my life was cupcakes and rainbows after that.

"We're here."

Sacramento had clear blue skies for winter and many tall buildings, it was insane. John pulled up to an adorable and beautiful house. I felt nervous and anxious with each step I took closer to the door. As John rang the doorbell, my anxiety somehow washed away when I saw Hannah open the door.

Phoenix! I didn't know you were coming."

"Yeah, last minute plans, I guess."

"Mom! She's here!"

It wasn't long until a beautiful woman came to the front and smiled brightly at me.

"You must be Phoenix."

"Yes, I am."

I tried to smile but I bet I looked like a freak. I hope they didn't think I was being rude.

"You are absolutely stunning. Tienes unos ojos tan bonitos." (You have such pretty eyes)

"Gracias."

"Wait. You speak Spanish?" John asked.

"Speak Spanish? My mother was Latina and my father was Swedish."

"Wait. You...you're part Swedish? And part Spanish?"

"Låt inte så förvånad."

Hannah and John looked at each other then at Phoenix.

"That means 'don't sound so surprised'." Phoenix said.

John and Hannah's mother took Phoenix inside and showed her around. Hannah pulled John aside and whispered.

"Did you know she was Swedish and Mexican?"

"I didn't even know she could speak and understand Spanish."

"Looks like you have a lot to know about her, big bro."

Yeah. I do have a lot to know. As I got to know more about Phoenix, I realized just how little I did know about her. I only knew her name, where she's from, her birthday, age, and that she's mixed race. I watched her get to know my family more. She seemed to really...enjoy herself. Even if she couldn't physically smile, I saw it in her eyes that was actually having a fun time. I could feel it in my heart, that this was gonna be Phoenix's first and hopefully best Christmas ever.