Fighting, Surviving, & Hopelessly Lost

Chapter 2

I finally arrived at my house after a relaxing ten minute walk. I sneaked around to the back door which I knew would be open. I was 99% sure everybody was asleep but I still made sure I was quiet. I slowly opened the door and I stepped in. It was pitch black. Trying to watch my step, I set my bag down and slowly closed the door. I walked soundlessly until a light flickered on behind. Crap, I'm caught. I turned around to see my mom sitting on the sofa in her bathrobe. She looked super tired but I knew she wanted to see me now.

"Juliet, honey. It's half an hour before midnight," my mom said wearily.

"I'm really sorry mom. I have the money though. Half a million. It should be enough to pay for the taxes and expenses," I tried.

My mom smiled sadly. "Juliet, you were fighting. Weren't you?"

Shoot. I was caught. "How'd you know?" I asked, sighing.

"That doesn't matter. Your father and I have decided on a very difficult decision. We figured it'd be for the best for all of us. We are sending you to your aunt's house in Wyoming. You are leaving tomorrow morning at seven so go pack up," my mom explained.

"You're shipping me off? Just like that!?" I asked, my voice rising tremendously. "How does this benefit anyone? I need to be making the money for her!"

"You are only seventeen Juliet! Your report card came home today. B's and C's? Is that the best you could do?" my mom reasoned. I could tell she was trying hard not to cry.

"I am trying! Do you think it's easy for me!? After losing Gabe like that and then Taylor being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I know it was hard for you guys but I think I was the only really making the money here!" I shouted, furious now. Then realization dawned on me. "You followed me, didn't you? That shadow I saw earlier today. That was you, wasn't it!?" When I was walking to practice before the big fight today, I saw a shadow following me. Now I knew it was my mom.

"Sweetie, it was for the best," my mom pleaded.

"Don't get me wrong mom. I love you all. I really do. So if you want to kick me out, then I'll leave. If me leaving you makes you happy, then I'll go. You don't have to tell me twice," I said, malice dripping from my voice. I was playing the guilt card and it seemed to be working.

"Juliet! Do not talk to me that way!" my mom warned but I was already walking upstairs to my room. I shut my door quietly because I knew that my sister Taylor was in the room next to mine. I swore as I started packing my small suitcase. Instead of folding everything neatly, I crumbled it all up into tiny lumps of clothing and slammed it all into my suitcase. I grabbed my toiletry bag and slammed it down into my suitcase with anger. I realized I was messing everything up in my way so I plopped down on my bed and took a deep breathe in and out. I was being sent to some aunt in Wyoming. I racked my brain for any information about her and the only thing I remembered about her was the last time I saw her was when I was seven. Everybody was still happy and very much alive. She owned a pretty big farm and a small ranch for her three horses. There was a forest lining the entire back a little ways from her house. Behind the thick vegetation was a scenic lake. My family always went boating and fishing there. My Aunt Hanna. She lost my uncle to a terrible car crash. I don't remember too well but I think a drunk driver crashed into him. My Uncle Henry.

"Did you tell her?" my dad whispered. His voice was barely audible so I stood up and put my ear to the door.

"Yes. She figured out that I followed her. She's still fighting Paul. She's making money fighting other girls," my mom breathed out.

"Hey. Suzanne, don't cry. Juliet is a fighter and survivor. She's one of a kind, a total Anderson," my dad said proudly. I smirked at what my dad said. Now, don't get me wrong. I love my mom, always have and always will. But truthfully speaking I was a daddy's girl. My dad and I used to be inseparable. Then when I was 12 and 13 my family totally fell apart. I started fighting with Joe and I didn't have time to cuddle around. I meant business from the very beginning.