The Good Wolves

Chapter 2

I woke up a lot later than I would have liked. I only had thirty minutes to shower, eat, get dressed and get everything into the car.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to your brothers and sister?" Mom asked as I loaded my suitcase into the trunk.

"I don't want to wake them," I explained. "They'll see me as soon as Topeka is safe again."

My parents sat in the front of the car, and I climbed into the back. The airport was about a half an hour away, giving me plenty of time to stress about the future. Weirdly enough, most of my fears involved not being able to make friends at my new school or not getting along well with the mysterious man I would stay with.

When we arrived at the airport, my parents helped me check my luggage. They stayed with me until my flight was called. We sat together while we waited, and they repeated everything they told me last night.

"Now boarding Flight 487," I heard.

"That's you," Dad stood up.

"I know," I hugged both by parents. "I'll miss you guys."

"Don't forget to call us every once in a while," Mom said.

"I won't," I promised. "I love you."

"We love you too," Mom said. "And remember. They're all killers."

My parents didn't leave until they lost sight of me. My ticket was checked, and I followed the herd of people onto the plane.

The seat beside me was empty for the flight, so I sat alone in silence. I read the entirety of The Life of Pi before arriving at the airport in Berryton, Kansas.

Upon exiting the plane, I found my luggage and searched for my driver. A man in a black tuxedo held a sign that read my last name.

"Lana Pearson?" He asked when I approached him.

"Yeah," I smiled, reaching out to shake his hand.

"I'm Daniel," he said.

Daniel led me out to the car, where he loaded up my suitcase. Daniel didn't speak on the ride to Gerald's house. My anxiety built when I thought of Gerald. How old was he? Was he the same age as my mom? Did he have any kids? By the time Daniel pulled into Gerald's driveway, I was more anxious than I had been the night before.

Gerald lived in a suburban neighborhood. The front of his house was very simple, with plain red brick. It was two stories tall, and I wondered how big my bedroom would be.
I thanked Daniel, and took my luggage to the front door. I had to ring the doorbell twice before someone appeared. It was a Hispanic woman. A nervous feeling took over me as I wondered if I was in the right place.

"Sorry, does Gerald live here?" I asked.

"Yes," she said, opening the door all the way. I took it as an invitation to come inside. To my left was the kitchen, and to my right was the living room where I spotted Gerald on the couch.

Gerald was nothing like I had imagined. He was short, fat, bald, and at least ninety years old.

"You must be Elena," he said loudly.

"Lana," I corrected him. "It's very nice of you to let me stay here. Thank you."

"Whatever," Gerald moved his hand in a motion as if he were swatting a fly. And then he croaked out, "any room on the second floor is yours."
I gave him an awkward smile, and lugged my suitcase up the stairs. Something told me I wouldn't be seeing a lot of Gerald. I peeked in all the rooms on the second floor. One was a bedroom, one was a bathroom, and one was an office. I chose the bedroom. Fortunately, it was equipped with a television.

Knowing I wouldn't have a lot to do until school the next day, I took a quick shower and plopped onto the bed to watch 60 Minutes. However, watching television was cut short when my stomach growled.

I travelled back downstairs and forced myself to face Gerald again. "I didn't have lunch. Is there anything I can eat here?"

"Ask Lupe," he said, clearly annoyed.

The woman who answered the door peeked around the corner. "What do you want?" She asked. "I could make you grilled cheese."

"You don't have to make it," I told her.

"That's my job," Lupe said, and disappeared. I figured she was a live in maid.

I went back upstairs and returned to watching television. Lupe brought my grilled cheese up a few minutes later, telling me she would call out when dinner was ready. I thanked her and began to devour my food.

After hours of doing absolutely nothing, Lupe called me downstairs. I had originally thought that I would eat with her and Gerald, but Lupe brought the lasagna to him, where he ate on the couch. I began to wonder how my mom knew him. Lupe sent me upstairs with my food.

I finished my meal, and took another shower out of extreme boredom. I changed into my pajamas, and texted my mom to see how everything was going back in Wyoming. She responded saying that everyone was well and wishing me their best, telling me to call after school tomorrow. Having no one else to text, I put my phone in it's charger, and tucked myself into bed.

As I went to sleep in the unfamiliar bed, Gerald's snores echoed from downstairs.