Twist of Fate

Altered Plans: Part 1

Note: I included a very old song by Brenda Lee called I'm Sorry.

Zoe ran up to her room after she entered the house, not even checking to see if her mother was home. She was tired and only wanted to get some sleep, but just as she changed into her pajamas her mother entered her room. Her blond hair was in a ponytail, which was the usual way she wore it around the house.

"Hey, Mom," Zoe said as she finished brushing out her hair. She was about to put it into a side braid as she usually did when she was about to go to sleep.

"So how did your date go?" her mother asked, and Zoe knew that was coming. Hot gossip was on top of Renee Evans list of essential things to do.

"It was fine," Zoe said trying to act casual, but she sensed that her mother could tell she had a great time. "In fact, we have a date tomorrow." Her mother's expression changed to a frown. "Something wrong?"

"In a way," her mother said and took her hand and sat her down on the bed. "See, I got a call from your Aunt Marla and well, she has a new boyfriend, but..."

"But what?" Zoe asked.

"Well, she asked me if we could come for a visit before our trip, and I told her we would be there by tomorrow night."

"So, we have to leave tomorrow," Zoe said disappointingly.

"Our plane leaves at 11:45 in the morning," her mother said.

"Oh, no..." she said, thinking about the museum date she set up for the next day. "I guess I better call Tyler and tell him."

"Sweetie, I'm sorry," her mother said, trying to console her. "It's just that we don't get to see her or your cousin very often, and I thought it would be nice to spend a few days with them. Johnny's excited about you coming."

"I'd like to see him again, too," Zoe said and then walked over to her phone.

"I'll leave you alone while you make your call, then I'll help you get packed, okay?" She nodded in agreement, and her mother left the room to give her some privacy.

Zoe picked up the phone and dialed the number, but she dreaded having to disappoint him. Even still, there was nothing she could do about it, and there was no way he could come with her. His parents would never go for it, even though her mom may not have objected. Besides, Tyler had a summer job at the local body shop, and he needed the money for new musical equipment.

She heard the phone ring and someone picked up. It was the disgruntled voice of an old man. "What do you want?" It was the voice of Tyler's grandfather who had a loathing for all teenagers.

"Is Tyler there?" Zoe said, a little intimidated by the old man's attitude.

"TYLER!" she heard the man scream.

Zoe waited, while hearing the background noise that was partially being drowned out by the man's grumbling. It seemed like it took forever, but in actuality it was only a few minutes.

"Hey, this is Tyler." She suddenly heard his voice on the line. It was obvious that his grandfather didn't tell him it was a girl.

"It's Zoe," she said and took a deep breath.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked, his voice sounded bright. "Miss me already?"

"No, wise guy," Zoe said, while rolling her eyes. "I called to tell you I have to break our date tomorrow."

"Awe, why?" He sounded like a five-year-old who lost his favorite toy.

"Because Mom and I are leaving tomorrow," she said with a sound of disappointment in her voice.

"I thought that was next week?" His voice sounded confused.

"It was, but my aunt wanted us to come and visit, so we have to leave tomorrow morning." Her hands were playing with the spiral cord that hooked the receiver to the base of the phone.

"Well, I get it," he said but still sounded disappointed. "I guess I'll see you when you get back."

"I'll send you lots of pictures and postcards," Zoe said, trying to lighten things up.

"Okay, call from your aunt's if you can," he said, his voice perking up a bit.

"Sure thing, bye, Tyler." He said his goodbyes, but still Zoe felt bad about having to break her date with him.

She hung up the phone and went about checking the bags that she had already packed for their trip, because she wanted to make sure she didn't forget anything.

To Be Continued...

I hope everyone enjoyed this part. There's more to come when Zoe and her mom go to visit her Aunt Marla and her cousin Johnny.