Senses

Ch. 4

All I could think of when I got home was Edward's scowling face. What was he so mad at? Why was he hot and then cold at the drop of a hat? I tried to rid myself of the bothersome thoughts, but they persisted. Mom wasn't home, but there was a note on the kitchen table.

Mari, 

Went to the store and then to pick up something for dinner, be home soon ♡

Love,

Mama 

I crumpled the note and tossed it in the trash. She couldn't have left too long ago. I had no homework, I had no friends or after school plans, so I grabbed a water bottle and fled to the solitude of my room. A quick glance through my phone showed Daddy was going nuts because I hadn't been answering his texts. Sighing heavily, I typed out my response.

To: Daddy 💝💝💝

Hey, sorry I ain't got back to you. I've been having sooo much fun here in Forks and I've been busy with school. I miss you. Tell Luci I said hi, and I can't wait to see you this summer. I'm gonna call after dinner tonight. Love you 💙

I pressed 'send' then set my phone on my desk before moving on to my stereo. My mix CD was still in, and I flipped to track 7: an instrumental cover of The Kill. I let the music take me over, my body fluid and malleable like wet clay. I bent and twisted and twirled whichever way the music led me. I had the oddest sensation that I had an audience, that I was not alone. Still, I danced. I finally collapsed on my bed after track 9, Debussy's Rêverie. The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies began to play, and I just lay there, my chest heaving. I heard the front door open and I rushed from my room. "Mama?" I called on my way downstairs. "Yeah? I'm in the living room," she yelled back. I slid to a halt in the doorway, only to see her rifling through several bags. I rolled my eyes and pushed off of the door frame, venturing to the kitchen. Mom had a weak spot for thrift shopping. "Dinner is on the counter," she hollered. I grabbed the two Subway bags and the cokes, peeking in the bag. Satisfied to find a turkey and ham foot long with tomatoes and honey mustard in one of the bags, I returned to the living room and watched her attempt to conquer the bags that covered the floor. In twenty minutes, we were both done with our food and I was buried under a pile of really cute winter clothes, which-- coming from Florida-- I seriously lacked. I also now owned tons of useless porcelain and glass trinkets that would adorn my dresser and desk. Mom was a sucker for all things cheap, and she was probably one of the thriftiest people I'd ever known. I looked around the living room as I began folding my clothes. The fireplace held several pictures of me; some with her and me, some with just myself, and some with me, her, and Daddy as one big happy family. The pictures on the walls were in chronological order of every school year so far. Porcelain figurines cluttered the coffee table. The couch was old and tattered, the lamps on the end tables were held up by gaudy brass stands. Mom flicked on the TV and we settled on a showing of My Bloody Valentine. Clothes forgotten, I situated myself on the floor so that my head was laying on her knees and we watched the movie in contented silence. 

When the movie was over, I finally remembered the clothes I had left for later. Well, it was later now. I got up, stretching my legs. I felt pins and needles from my knees all the way down to my toes. "Don't fall," Mama giggled. I flexed my foot this way and that, sighing contently as I was finally able to comfortably walk from the living room to the kitchen. I returned a moment later with a garbage bag. "Thanks for the clothes," I said as I gathered up the clothes and put them in the bag. Next, I carefully wrapped the trinkets in a sweater. "You're welcome sweetie. Maybe next time you can go with me," she yawned, sprawling out on the couch and searching through the channels for another movie. I slung the bag over my shoulder and held the sweater close to my chest, making my way to my room. It didn't take long to put everything away, but I was exhausted nonetheless. I opted for a quick shower and some much needed REM sleep.