The Mysterious Case of Luna Summers

Chapter 4

I was still sitting against the wall when Bryce's mother returned home. I was itching for a shower, but I didn't know how it went around here. I felt numb inside, and my stomach was hollow. I heard the mother call my name, well Bryce's name, and when I didn't respond right away her heels came clicking down the hall. She rapped on the door that had a Green Day poster taped to it, but then opened it without a reply. 

"Bryce?" She asked again, not seeing me crouching on the floor until she turned to my direction. "Honey, are you okay?" 

She kneeled in front of me, and I looked up at her. My face must've looked awful because she gasped. Her hand pressed my forehead and all around my face, but surprisingly relief filled her eyes. 

"The fever's gone," She explained. "You must be exhausted." 

If only she knew the entire truth as she helped me to my feet, and took one look around the room. I never thought I would ever see a mother so pleased in my life. She put her hand up to her mouth, and I swear there were tears in her eyes. I wondered if Bryce would keep his room this way when he returned, if he ever did that is. 

"You cleaned?" She asked in delight. 

I managed a nod, and Bryce's mother wrapped her arms around me/Bryce's body. She sighed happily and faced me upfront. 

"You're growing up aren't you?" 

I shrugged with a humble smile, and the mother kissed me on the cheek. She told me that dinner would be in an hour, and that's when I realized how far away breakfast had really been. She made sure that the fever was gone by giving me a Tylenol, which would've come in handy earlier with my headaches, and told me to take a quick shower. 

Feeling blessed that I didn't have to ask her, I rushed to the bathroom with a towel held tightly under my arm. Earlier I hadn't gotten a look at the bathroom. It was neat, and very plain. While I got undressed, I thought about putting one of Bryce's drawings that I liked the best in a frame and then into the bathroom. I gave myself a displeased look in the mirror. Drawings don't belong in bathrooms just like art doesn't belong in closets. 

The idea of having a penis grossed me out at first when I got into the shower. I did my best not to look at it, but I was extremely confused on how I was supposed to wash it. The water felt relaxing on my skin and I scrubbed until I felt satisfied and clean. I made sure to wash Bryce's hair too, but I had to correct myself when the Luna in me reached for Bryce's mother's shampoo. 

If I was to keep Bryce's life as normal as possible until I returned to my body, I'd have to adapt. 

I stepped out of the steaming shower, and I felt a little bit better than before. I bumped into the shower curtain and I almost tripped down the hall when I went to get dressed, but only because I wasn't used to being so tall. I wondered how Bryce was doing when I entered the kitchen to see his mother staring at her cellphone. She had pressed her hand against her mouth, and her eyes were shut. No tears came, and she looked as though she was in shock. 

"Mom?" I asked, although the words felt strange coming out of my mouth. "Is something wrong?" 

Bryce's mother peered up at me with glazed eyes. Her face had fallen from the happiness of before and she appeared much weaker than she was.  "Your father is coming to visit you this weekend." 

I gulped, although that might not've been Bryce's initial reaction.  "What day is it again?" 

Bryce's mother began to tap her foot nervously on the kitchen floor. "Thursday." 

I rested my elbow on the island in the kitchen, and just stared at the mother. I had no idea what had happened in this family. I had no clue what Bryce's father was like, or how I should even act around him. For God's sake, I had no idea where we were.

"Mom," I questioned. "Where do we live again?" 

Bryce's mother gave me a strange look. "Portland, Oregon, honey. Is that medication making you feel funny?" 

Jackpot. "Can I go with a friend to Cannon Beach this weekend?" I hesitated. "I was meaning to ask earlier." 

Please say yes, please say yes. 

The mother gave me a concerned look. "With your health?" 

"I'll stay home again tomorrow," I explained which I prayed would back me up. "That way I'll make sure I'm no longer sick." 

Bryce's mother pursed her lips together in thought. "You know I don't get home until 9 on Fridays, will you be okay by yourself for so long?" 

"I'll get Dom," I blurted quickly. "He can come over, and the next morning we'll be off." 

Bryce's mother gave me a wide grin. "He sure is a good friend isn't he, taking you guys places now that he can drive." She picked her cellphone up again. "I'll tell your father you have plans with a friend." 

Her face lost it's tense fear, and she now softened as she added, "You've saved yourself this time, Bryce." 

I thanked her a million times, and then I rushed back to my phone to text Dom. He'd either be furious, confused, or with doubt excited. I don't even know the guy, but from the looks of it he seems to be Bryce's bestfriend. What did he even look like? I grabbed the cellphone off of the desk, and flipped it open. There were no calls or messages, and I worked my way towards sending a message to Dom. 

Sleepover here tomorrow, let's go to Cannon Beach this weekend. Details when you get here. Won't be going to school tomorrow. 4 'o clock, be here! 

Anxiously, I bit my lip as I waited for a reply. He had to say yes. I lived at Cannon Beach. Luna Summers lives at Cannon Beach. It was the only possible way. I crossed my fingers as I listened to Bryce's mother clinking pans around in the kitchen; and after what felt like an eternity, the phone buzzed a response. 

Would love to, but I can't. Visiting Jill on the other side of town for the weekend. School gets out early next week, we can go then. Sorry bro, if it's your pops just stay cool. 

P.S I'm stopping by tomorrow morning to get the project supplies.

-D 

One text message had brought all of my hopes down in an avalanche and I panicked inside.