Saying Goodbye

2: Oma and Opa

It was Sunday. I tossed and turned, and then, I heard an annoying noise. It sounded like birds. I yawned. I slammed my hand down on the snooze button, knocking my alarm clock off my dresser. My alarm clock is the most annoying noise in the world. Birds. I got up, yawning.

My mom was at home now, but with crutches. She Opened the door to my room, and said "Your father and I have come to an agreement. We want to tell you what will happen when summer comes around." I always knew when summer was about to come, I thought. I always know when anything is about to come, especially summer, which was about a week from now. "I'm coming. I'll get dressed first."

I got dressed in a pair of shorts, and a random T-shirt I never wear from last year. I walked out of my room, and saw mom, dad, and Luke sitting on the couch together. "Take a seat." dad would say, gesturing towards the couch. I took a seat next to mom.

"Okay, so we have a change of plans for the summer. You and your brother are going to California by yourselves on a flight halfway there, and then you'll be picked up at the airport by Oma and Opa where from there they'll drive you the rest of the way, to stay with your grandparents, Oma and Opa, for hopefully the next few months. Maybe years if things get worse down here." dad says to me, glancing back to mom every sentence or so.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I frowned, looking to mom. She was frowning, and looking at the floor. I looked back to dad."What  about you? Won't you come to?" Luke asked mom and dad, frowning as well. "Your mother and I have decided that we couldn't afford to take ourselves. If we can't afford to get you back home after summer ends, your Oma and Opa will be able to support you."

My grandparent's names were Oma and Opa. I have called them that ever since I was a little girl. Oma is grandma in German, and Opa is grandpa in German. My heritage on my father's side of the family was German. On my mother's side, they were all Italian.

"But... aren't we not old enough... to fly by ourselves?" I asked, looking towards my father, hoping he'd say no, so we can stay here. "Yes, both of you are old enough. I once went to Germany to visit my grandparents when I was your age. Although, my parents at the time were not in the same situation as we are now. I'm so sorry, kids." dad said, almost showing no emotion.

He closed in on a hug, and everyone gathered around. "I'm sorry." He said, holding us all tighter. "Its okay, daddy. We'll miss you." Luke said, smiling. "We'll miss you more." dad says, pulling us all in tighter. Mom wiped her tears from her cheeks, and she tried to smile.

"Wait. Mom, when are we leaving?" I asked, hoping and praying it would be after the art competition. "You're leaving in three days," mom said smiling. "It's okay. You'll be fine. You'll leave this Wednesday, since it's cheaper than going today." Dad looked to mom, and said "Well, you'd better start packing now, and gather all you want." He smiled, and got up to pack up food for the trip as well.

Wait... I thought. Won't Friday be the day of the competition? I stopped in my tracks, and thought longer. What am I going to do? I want to help mom and dad! I HAVE to go to the competition! I HAVE to!

I ran off into my room, and began packing, and throwing my bag together. "What am I going to do?..... I can't just stay here.... I have to go.... I have to go.... I'm so confused..." I'd begin to quietly talk to myself. "If I win first place.... I could get a lot of money... I could help mom and dad... I'm so lost..." I continued. I could win a hundred thousand dollars! It was the biggest prize of the year... The biggest give away of the year...

I picked up my bag, and as soon as I went for my bedroom door, the door had opened. I thought it was Chester, because I had left the door cracked open, enough for him to nose into the small living space, which he does more that usual lately, but it wasn't Chester. It was dad.

"Hello? Ellie, is it you?" dad asked, as he creaked open the door. "Yes?" I said , hoping he didn't hear me talking to myself. "Oh. It's just you. I thought I heard a noise. Didn't sound too good. Must be the thermostat or the vents." Dad went off to check the thermostat, while I continued to bring my stuff into the living room. I had much more to go, but as you know, I'm a procrastinator, so I basically left the rest for tomorrow.

By now, I was tired. Really tired. I thought of my friend, Ashley. I hadn't seen her for a while. Usually we'll play video games, like my favorite one, Cube-Land. I played it all the time. I bought all my games with my piggy bank that I'd had since I was 5 or 6. I had a laptop that I put a sticker on the back of when I was little. The computer was old, and from my mom when my brother was just a baby. The sticker said Toms. It was a shoe brand. Ever since Ashley saw that sticker, we'd make jokes about it. I even named my computer Tom.

Ashley and I always acted like sisters. She had a dog named Gracie. She was a sweet Golden retriever. Every time I walked into her house, Gracie would always jump onto me, and attempt to lick my face. I'd giggle each and every time. She was always the sweetest little dog. I loved Gracie.

But now, I guess I have to leave all that behind and go to California. Wait.... I thought. I have to go to the competition! I need to go! I will go! I thought for a while and decided that I would have to go. Although I didn't have a plan yet, I would soon. 

I kept thinking about how I would do it, and never let lose of the thought.