The Surly Bonds

Chapter 13

September 29, 1988. Annie sits in her newly remodeled room, blissfully adrift in this seemingly endless pit of adolescence. Posters of her favorite artists and possible crushes line the wall: George Michael, Michael Hutchence, Bono, but also Madonna and The Bangles. Faint remnants of Annie's old life and intellectual proclivities stand out hidden beneath her notebooks and binders covered in doodles and drawings. Old science books and toys are buried in an avalanche of worn T-shirts, teen magazines, and cassette tapes, while nail polish, hair products and makeup kits line the shelves of her bookcase. Sitting atop her bookshelf is a dusty, faded space shuttle plush toy, leaning against old sports trophies.

Britney and Daphne, two of Annie's best friends and fellow outcasts, paint their toenails black and listen to alternative rock radio on low volume, so as not to disturb Richard by blasting music throughout the house. As the hard rock softly floats through the air, Britney holds up a frothy teen music magazine next to her face with Corey Feldman on the page. "Oh my God, Corey. I want to marry you."

Daphne gags. "Eww, gross! He's so short." She holds up a photo of Bono. "Now you want to talk about marriage material."

"He's old enough to be your dad."

"Shut up!"

Annie giggles at her two friends. Britney turns to Annie and asks, "What about you? Corey or Bono?"

Annie blushes. "I don't know. Neither."

Daphne scoffs. "You gotta choose somebody!"

Britney grins. "We all know who she likes."

Annie raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

"Michael Hutchence." Daphne and Britney giggle. "A little dark and mysterious."

Annie stands up and asks, "Yeah, you know it. You guys want a Coke?"

"You got Diet?" Daphne asks.

"My Dad drank all the diet."

"I don't want any then."

"Britney?"

"Sure," she replies.

Annie steps over the piles of clothes and other personal items to make it to the door. She walks down the stairs and into the kitchen. She grabs two cans of Coke and closes the door with her foot. As she walks through the kitchen, the phone rings. She immediately sets the cans of Coke on the table and snatches the phone before it can ring twice. "Hello?" she answers, in excitement.

"Hi Annie," Mary says with enthusiasm.

"Oh, hi Mom."

"You don't sound excited to talk to me? How are you? How's school?"

"School's great," Annie states coldly, staring at the two cans of Coke perspiring on the table.

"I hear you've really stepped it up in math class. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks. So, I guess I'll see you at Christmas then?"

"No, actually I'll see you for Thanksgiving. I'm going to be in Florida during the holidays, so I switched it with your father. You know we got the contract to build another space shuttle."

"Wow, that sounds really great mom. Gotta run."

"Wait, wait. Are you watching TV right now?"

"No."

"Put on CNN. I'm here at the Cape. They're about to send up Discovery. Isn't that exciting?"

"Totally."

"Look, kiddo. I know you're not happy with me. And I understand. If nothing else, know that I am very proud of you, and I know someday you'll find your way."