Little Moments

Chapter One

Chapter One

The bell rang signaling summer. Finally. I had so many images of what summer might be like, but those images were interrupted as someone grabbed my shoulders.

            I turned around to see my best friend McKenna. “You gave me a freakin’ heart attack!” I yelled smacking her hands.

            “You didn’t just think you could get away without saying goodbye to your best friend could you?” she said arms crossed across her chest.

            “No, I just didn’t wanna miss my bus. You know my dad couldn’t pick me up if I missed it,” I said. My dad was a lawyer and was always working. Even when he finally came home from work he would go into his office and claim he had lots of stuff to do.

            “I know, but last period is Spanish and Mrs. Valenzuela never lets us out on time.”

            I continued to walk to the bus, dodging everyone who were saying goodbye to each other right in the middle of the walkways.

            “When do you finally get your license?” McKenna asked.

            “Next week, now I’m gonna miss the bus. Mr. T doesn’t wait.”

            “Promise we’ll hang out over the summer?” McKenna asked.

            “Promise!” I hugged her and then ran to my bus.

            I shut the door behind me and flipped off my shoes. Finally, the summer is mine. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. Once again I was alone in this huge empty house. My dad and I had money. You could tell that just by looking at our house.

            I flopped on the sectional and turned on the TV. I had to settle for a rerun of Project Runway. My phone buzzed in my pocket.

            Dad:

                        Be home in twenty. Things we need to discuss.

            What would he need to discuss? It’s got to be something important if he’s coming home early. Maybe it was good news. Maybe he was taking time off for the summer to be with me. Maybe he wanted to apologize. I figured I should make some dinner for his news.

            I set a pan on the stove and started grilling some chicken and a pot to boil some water for pasta. I took out a can of pasta sauce and some bread to toast in the oven. When I finished the meal I got some plates and set them at the dining room table with a glass of wine for my dad and water for me. I was so happy he was going to actually eat dinner with me.

            I heard the door click open as I took the bread out of the oven.

            “Hi daddy!” My dad walked in the kitchen. “I made us some dinner. I just have to get the bread on the table.”

            “Listen, honey-“

            “I set you a glass of wine, but if you want something else I can-“

            “Maribel!” he yelled almost making me drop the plate of bread.

            His voice softened a little, “Maribel, you need to pack tonight. You need to pack enough for a month and a half.”

            “What? Why? Where are we going?” I set the plate on the table and sat in my chair. My father remained standing by the island.