The Broken Ones

3 Isabelle

  As soon as I enter the house, smells and decorations overwhelm me. I am in a long hallway with what seems to have three doors or entryways. The first one on the right is the kitchen. The walls are a light blue with decorations and pictures hanging everywhere. The island has a granite counter top and includes the sink. There is a bar set up close by with alcoholic beverages from the 1800s stacked at the end. In the connected dining room, a long table, behind the bar, is piled in the center with any food you could imagine! All the equipment (fridge, stove, microwave, t.v., and dishwasher) are up to date, which makes the house look more expensive. They are obviously festive people. I can smell the turkey baking in the oven.  

  The second door is a simple bathroom decorated with Inspirationals, like The rain doesn't last long, so keep that chin up. The walls are white and the floor is white. It is not really special with a toilet and a sink. It smells like roses in here. Next, came the last entry on the left. (Heh sounds like that movie!) Anyway, it led to a staircase. I guess this where everyone sleeps. This place is a labyrinth.  

  I start up the stairs two by two excited about seeing where I would sleep here. It is a two way hall and on each side there are four doors. I decide to walk down the left corridor first. I peek into the first room to see Chloe practicing her cheer moves to a rap song. Her room is a light rose color with sparkles and frilly things everywhere. The bed is a lavender and has sketches of flowers and buds. She does a toe touch, turns to do another move and stops. She gives me a disgusted look and I scurry to the next door.  

  I open the door slightly to see a baby's room. There isn't much done to it yet. The walls are cloudy with painted birds in mid flight. It contains a crib, some ragged stuffed animals and a tiny stack of books. The floor is carpeted and a rocking chair is set next to the crib in a corner. I guess Mrs. Carter is expecting. I close it and walk to the adjacent door.  

  The door is cracked open so I look through the opening, it is Mr. and Mrs. Carter's room. They have a sort of Japanese theme done. They have maroon and black accented dragon comforters and Japanese words painted on the cream colored walls. I can see into the bathroom that is done in the same theme with maroon walls and white Japanese characters on the walls. Their mirror is shaped like a dragon. I spin on my heel and head for the other corridor, knowing the last door in the hall is a bathroom.  

  I open the first door to see a plain white room with a plain white bed made. The only color is the floor which is polished wood. The corners of the room are collecting dust and spiders. I close the door, dreading to see if that is where I sleep. I walk to the door diagonally from this one.  

  I open it to see a marvelous sight! A blue bed with panda covers is pushed up against a corner of the room and the walls are baby blue. My pictures of all my old foster families are already hung up on the walls in order, each one containing a smiling me. The first person I pick out of the pictures is Christopher. I walk in a little and do a spin, taking in the beautiful sight of the flat screen TV and the work desk placed in front of a window looking out into nature. Then my eyes grow wide and a grin spreads across my face. I'm staring at a bookcase wall. It is filled half way with books I stashed away in the orphanage. My bag is sitting on the bed and now I feel right at home. I close the door with a smile on my face. I walk to the last bedroom door knowing exactly who's room it is . . . Nicholas.

The door is wide open. I hear a guitar and an amazing voice coming with it. I peek in and see Nicholas playing a song I have heard before. I listen to more and realize it is All Alone by Crows Have Eyes! My absolute favorite song of all time! I walk in not knowing what I'm doing and not being able to stop myself. I sit on the edge of his bed and look at the surroundings; black and red walls, Red Moon covers on his bed and a group of guitars surrounding his drum set. He has a desk beside a small bookshelf full of music sheets. His walls are covered in band posters and family photos. It is amazing. 

Nicholas has not noticed that I am sitting on his bed, so I reach over -unhappy that this moment has to end- and tap on his shoulder.  

He screams and pulls one of his strings on his guitar. "Oh crap my favorite guitar!" He gets up and runs to his dresser. He pulls out a new string and rushes over to his guitar. As he attaches the new string, he whispers to his guitar, "It's okay baby, you will be alright." He rubs the lightning printed Fender electric guitar laying on his lap.

I giggle as I listen to him whisper sweet nothings to his "baby." He glances over at me and gives a half smile, intensifying his scar, "you have a pretty giggle." We both blush. "How'd you like my playing and singing?" I give him two thumbs up and he walks over and hesitantly hugs me. "I don't usually get compliments on it. People can be douchebags." I nod my head in agreement. We sit in his room and hold a one-sided conversation. I teach him a few words in sign language so that we can have a better conversation. Then, we get called for dinner. We walk downstairs together.  

  * * * 

 The last day of summer I decided to party with some friends. We get to the lake as the sun is setting, casting a golden light on the water. I hear the footsteps pounding on the pier as we run to the edge. Blood is rushing in my head and is making it hard to hear Myah talk. I don't want this to end. I quickly strip down to my bathing suit and jump. I almost immediately feel the freezing water pull me down into its dark abyss to share its secrets. This has been the best summer ever.

- "The Intense Feelings: A Collection of Short Stories" by

Isabelle Harris