Seven Summers Ago

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

            “Mom, dad, please don’t make me go.”

“Jessica, don’t be such a baby.  Gina and Tom miss you,” my mom says.

“And they can’t wait to see you,” adds my dad.

            I look up at them and nervously and trace the scar that runs from my wrist up to the end of my forearm.

“But guys...”

“No buts Jessica.  You are going and that’s final,” interrupts my mom.

            I turn away from them, stomp into my room, and slam the door.  Why can’t my parents understand that I don’t want to go back?  I hate that place!

            I go to my closet and grab my bikinis, shorts, two pairs of jeans, a ton of shirts, sandals, my running shoes, and a few pairs of boots and shove everything into my duffle bag.  I walk over to my bed and grab my temper-pedic pillow and place it on top of my duffle.  Next I walk over to my make-up table, throw everything into my make-up bag, and toss it onto the bag.

“I think that’s it,” I growl to myself.

            I hear a knock on my door.

“Honey can I come in?”

            It was my dad.

“Sure daddy.”

            He quietly opens the door, walks over, and sits on my bed.

“Honey, I know you don’t want to go, but the boys have matured so much since you’ve been there last.”

“I’m sure they have,” I say sarcastically.

“They have and I’m sure they are excited to see you.  I know Gina and Tom are.”

“Ya, but Gina and Tom are nice!  The boys aren’t,” I say while looking down at my scar.

            My dad motions for me to come over.  I go and sit down next to him and he strokes my hair and kisses me on the forehead.

“Honey, I know that what those boys did to you was wrong, that’s why your mom and I let you stay with Charlotte all of these years, but the boys have gotten older and they will behave this time I promise.”

“Can I get that in writing?” I joke.

            He smiles at me and takes my hand.

“Don’t worry sweetie, you are going to have a great time.”

“I sure hope so.”

            My dad winks at me and ruffles my hair before leaving and shutting the door quietly behind him. 

            I stay on my bed for a few more minutes before I walk to my closest again.  I take off my jeans and exchange them for a pair of jeans shorts.  I switch my boring v-neck for a pretty flowing lace top and put a pair of gladiator sandals on.  I take my hair out of my bun and run a brush through it.

“Hmm… I guess I look okay,” I say to my reflection.

            I go to my bathroom and collect all the things I need and put them in a separate bag.  I grab all my stuff and take one last look at my room before I walk back out to the living room.

“Here’s all my stuff,” I say while throwing my bags on the floor.

“I’ll take it all out to the car,” replies my dad.

“Thank you Jeff,” says my mom giving him a kiss on the cheek.

            My phone pings with a new text message.  I whip it out and check the text.  It’s from Charlotte.

“Have you left yet?” it said.

            I replied with a no and an angry face.  I quickly got a response back.

“I love you Jess and if you ever need to talk text me.  Tell me if the boys give you any trouble I will drive down there and kick their ass.”

            I smile to myself and reply,

“It’s a two hour drive!”

            I walk over and sit on the couch and get another text.  This one says,

“I don’t care, I will do it.  Well I got to go to work.  Luv ya!”

            I reply and say, “luv ya too, have fun!” before putting my phone away and letting out a big sigh.

“We are ready to go!” my mom says happily.

“Oh joy,” I mumble.

“Come on, get your butt in gear, we are going to have a great time,” my mom says while walking out the door and into the car.

            My dad offers me an apologetic smile.  I smile back and walk out to the car and put my headphones in.  This summer is going to suck.