Accidentally Tasha

Chapter 6

Quote

A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

**Please vote, comment and share**

It's two am and I still can't sleep. A lot is on my mind, most of which is the unforeseen challenges that I will undoubtedly face. I have looked at all my challenges from all dimensions and new ones keep cropping up. I cannot be Tasha Gardner. It is just too risky. I need to get out of this situation before Monday. But, where will I go? I don't even have any money at present. I need to take something that will get me out of Crestshore and keep me surviving until I figure out what to do next. I like the Gardners but, come on, they are not my family and sooner rather than later they'll figure out I'm not Tasha.

With that in mind, I get out of bed and creep downstairs looking for something that will be valuable and won't seriously hurt the family. I am halfway past the kitchen door when I hear the faint noise coming from the television in the living room. I almost turn back and head back to my room but something about this situation attracts me to the living room.

I tiptoe into the room and find Paul -dad- sitting on the couch, his head bent as if he is deep asleep. A football game is going on in the television. I walk towards dad. He looks up as soon as he hears my footsteps.

"Weren't you asleep?" I ask.

"Nope." He says and shows me the photo album he's studying. "Couldn't sleep?"

"Yeah," I say. "Can I join you?"

"Sure," he says.

I snuggle up to him and turn the album back to the first page. "Who's this?" I ask, pointing to a fat kid in glasses.

"Me, actually." He answers laughing.

I chuckle and study the picture more closely. "Oh my God, it really is you!"

We look at other pictures and laugh as he tells me the stories behind every picture and about every person. I learn about his mean elder sister Winnie and the sweet younger one Ella (although I have to admit there is some bias where Ella is concerned- she sounds like a spoiled brat.) I learn that getting one boy and many sisters is a thing that has ran in his family for generations. I learn that he met mom in college at a party.

"You know, Tasha, I don't remember the last time we were this way. I guess there is a reason for everything, right?" dad says.

I smile at him not knowing what to say. I feel extremely sorry for him. Before I can say anything however, his phone rings. A frown replaces his smile as he listens to the caller. He says nothing much on his part and answers with grunts and monosyllables. I am unable to collect any information so I guess it has something to do with work.

"Something wrong?" I ask when he has hung up.

"Yeah. Jake's just been arrested."

"What?"

He shrugs in a defeated manner as if it's not news anymore. He picks up his car keys and heads out.

"Wait!" I say as he reaches the door "Can I come?"

"Tasha, I don't think it's appropriate. Go back to bed."

I nod in a disappointed manner and start to head back to my room.

"Wait, I guess you could come along." He says.

I smile triumphantly and run to my room. I grab my sneakers and run back downstairs before he thinks of leaving me behind.