The Power Of The Elements

Chapter 3

I walked off the bus music in my mind. The sky was emitting an ominous darkness. The clouds were like cotton candy dipped in black ink and then twisted, so that they all came together at a rapid speed.

I recalled my dad once telling me about the clouds. They predicted the future. They told us what was to be expected from miles away. My dad had a lot of crazy ideas that my young mind adored. I would go outside every morning and look into the distance to see what I saw. He always knew the future. And so did I. I enjoyed fantasizing stories of princesses, fairies and superheroes. He always listened to my stories as of my words were gold and that what I was saying was true.

When he died I always saw him in the clouds. Dancing . Laughing. Pretending to be a bird. I never could look at the sky without...remembering. So I kept my glance on the surface of the earth in avoidance of those feelings of sadness and longing. However, today I felt a strong urge to look up as if the clouds were beckoning my attention. I didn't see my dad when my eyes looked in wonder. I saw air and some water particles that formed clouds. I felt a tinge of disappointment pinch my heart as I wished to see my father's face.

"Are you okay Adrienne? You haven't said anything since you got on the bus..." Lani asked reminding me of her presence.

"I was thinking of dad." I answered letting out a heavy breath as I took out a earbud. I turned to look into her eyes and smiled. She really had his eyes.

"Me too. Remember his rants about the sky?" She asked craning her neck back to turn her attention upwards.

"That's what I was just thinking about." I said cocking my head to the clouds.

We made our way to our quaint home. It was a two-story, four bedroom house with olive green siding and white window shutters. There was a small stone porch on the front with some comfy chairs. One of which seated my mom. She was engulfed in a romance novel.

"Mom your home early." I noted. She usually was at work when we came home from school. This was a rare predicament.

"They let me go home early since I am working the night shift tonight." She responded taking off her readers and setting them down on the table beside her. My mom was a nurse and a waitress and what ever else she could find.

"Okay, have you started dinner?" I asked.

"No I haven't-- Lani you've changed." My mom said turning her attention to Lani who stood awkwardly beside me.

"Changed?" She repeated looking at me for some answers. I subtly nodded with my eyes. "Yes, I have." She said to our mom.

"Thank goodness I didn't want to say anything but those clothes from this morning smelled deadly." My mom joked and I could see the slightest resemblance of a smile. Another rarity. However, I learned that a year is not enough time to get over true love. Or at least completely.

"Ya." Lani said just to respond, she too had the slightest small smile. I felt myself look at both of them and feel a rush of happiness and a glimmer of hope that our family would get back to normal. If even a sliver of progress had been made that's all I could ask for really.

"What do you want for dinner?" I asked changing the conversation back to food .

"I took out some hamburger meat to defrost," My mom replied. "You don't have to make dinner you have homework and the reunion tonight. Are you working also?" My mom said.

"I am not working and homework is not heavy. The reunion isn't until later tonight so that means you can sit back and relax and let Chef Adrienne cook for you." I said remembering the promise I made to myself this morning about making it up to her. Food is the perfect way to make it up to anyone. Including me. My stomach was begging me for food.