Should've Been Us

Complicated

Chicago... June,  1997...

"MAMA!"  Josephine "Josie" Fraser shouted from upstairs.

"What, Josie?"  Evangeline "Dixie" Fraser called from the kitchen. 

"Why am I moving schools the last month of junior year?"

"Josie, just quit your complaining and get your ass down here... you're gonna be late."  William "Billy" Fraser shouted.  "I'm not going to be late because you're being pissy."

Josie groaned.  Her father didn't get it.  They'd just moved from New Orleans to Chicago, well back to Chicago.  Josie had been born here but when she was 5 they headed back to her mom's hometown.  She had just turned 17 and her dad had been offered a position within the Gang Unit of the Chicago Police Department.  He had been a patrolman in Chicago before working Homicide in New Orleans.  She was probably going to be the youngest senior in the school, but her parents... specifically her father, didn't seem to care.  She didn't want to go to a real school.  She wanted to keep doing the homeschooling her mom had had her do for the last three years. 

It was June and the end of the school year in all Chicago high schools.  Her mom had insisted she start 'real' school now, so as to stay caught up with the other kids going into the 12th grade.  Josie pulled on the last piece of her school uniform and headed down into the kitchen.

"You look very nice, chère."  Her mom complimented her with her distinct New Orleans twang.

"It's a uniform, Mama.  It's... ridiculous."

"You're in a Catholic school."  Her father grunted.  "Grab your lunch and let's go."

"Yes, Dad."  Josie knew not to argue with her father.  He said loved her, but he was strict as hell.  Most people tended to assume that he wasn't even her real dad.  She hugged her mother and headed out to the family vehicle.  She was praying that this school would be more accepting than the first one they had registered her when they moved back last month.  She hadn't been well received because she was always the youngest in her classes. 

Billy grabbed his gear.  "Let's go." 

Josie followed him out to their Jeep.  She just kept repeating, "This is only for another year... this is only for another year..." in her head.  After she graduated high school, she was moving back to New Orleans to go to university.  She wasn't staying here one day longer than she had to.  She hated winters in Chicago.  She would rather deal with hurricanes any day. 

The Jeep came to a stop.  Her father turned to her.  "Don't cause too much trouble."

"Yes, Dad."  She said.  "Are you picking me up after school?"

"You're mother will call the school to tell you who's coming.  You may just have to take the bus."  He signalled to her to get out.

She got out and wished him luck in his new job.  She stood there as he pulled out, tires spitting dust and rocks behind him.  She looked up at the building.  "Fuck me."  She groaned.  "I so cannot wait until June next year."  She headed up the large steps and headed into the school.  She headed to the main office to get her schedule.