One Guy in One House with Ten Girls

Chapter Three

Chapter 3

It had been two weeks since the end of school and about a week since the combined funeral.

As much as I wanted to remember them, I refused to talk about anything or my feelings with anyone. What good would it do?

For the last two weeks Charlie’s parents had openly welcomed me into their home. Yes, this time I was a welcomed guest. They made sure to tell me though that this was just for the time being, just until the Social Services people or their lawyer had located my parents Will and had contacted my new legal guardians.

Mrs. Mitchell sat me down at the kitchen counter on a clear, sunshiny Saturday night. I figured she was going to ask me what I’d prefer to have for dinner tonight as a new 16 year old.

Yea, through all this terror I completely forgot that my birthday was July 1st. That was today. Charlie didn’t forget though.

I walked into their house after running to Stop and Shop to get a Red Box movie. The thing where you pay one dollar a night to rent the movie and you return it later or whenever you want. I chose The Princess Bride, a favorite of mine that I often watched when I needed a little cheering up. When I got back to their house it seemed deserted almost.

“Hello?” I said into their unusually quiet, empty kitchen.

“SURPRISE!” All of my friends screamed at me as they jumped out of various hiding spots in the kitchen and the living room. Some even popped out from the stairway to the basement. It was great to know that people really cared about me, and for the first time in three weeks I truly felt happy.

I heard someone clear her throat in front of me and was snapped out of the reverie of today’s events.

“Alex, honey the workers found out your living arrangements from now on. They expect you to be packed and ready to head to Sand Diego California for your 8:40 am flight tomorrow.”

“Would you care to tell me to whom I am going?” I asked rather coldly, but then I instantly felt bad. They had been so nice to me these past few weeks; they even threw me a party. “I’m sorry.” I whispered ashamed that I had gotten so easily frustrated with the person who had temporarily welcomed me into the family.

“It’s alright, I know this must be hard on you, suddenly packing up your belongings and leaving. But to answer your question, you are going to the Gately’s apparently, they were very close family friends with both Jenna and John.”

That was the first time since the funeral that I had heard their names, and something in me contracted, I wanted to be long gone and moved on, like the title of the Script song.

I pulled my self together and said, “Oh okay um, I remember my mom talking about them a few times, but not recently.  The last time I met them in person I was like 2 I don’t remember them at all.”

“Well that’s where you are going. We will miss you so much Mr. Alex Heart.” She leaned over and kissed me on the forehead.