The Vacation Program (ReWrite)

Chapter 2: This is Not Vacation

Anna looked at me with fear and worry in her eyes. I stood my ground with confidence and persistence, and we drove home in silence. Anna ran inside once we reached the house, as if she were a toddler with taddles to tell. We walked through my front door and into the kitchen.

"Sit at the table and wait for your father," She directed me to do.

I sat with a nasty attitude and argument forming in my brain. I knew and they knew regardless of what they wanted, I knew what I needed. My dad and Anna sat by each other across the table from me and held hands.

"What's going on?"

Before I could open my mouth to explain, Anna started screeching, "Autumn wants to participate in some 'Vacation Program' with her therapist!"

"What?" My dad objected.

"Shut up, listen. It's a program where I go somewhere with a little more sun, to work one-on-one with my therapist to resolve all of my issues. I'll be gone, but I'll be getting better dad."

My dad sighed, "Look Autumn," He paused, "You've always been someone who will do whatever she wants. I want to support your decision because it's probably the first good one you've made in a long time."

I screamed and ran over to hug my dad, "I'm going to make you proud."

"This is not a vacation Autumn. This is business, this is work, this is professional duties. Do not neglect this opportunity."

"I understand, I won't."

Anna shook her head in disapproval but I ran to my room to call Westbrooke.

"Dr. Westbrooke hi, it's Autumn Brookes."

"Oh hello! You can call me Jayce, but I didn't expect to hear from you so soon, it's not bad news is it?"

"After a little pleading, I've been given the permission to participate."

"That's great, I'll email your parents the consent and participation forms and costs, and you can leave on a plane in the morning. My address is on the information sheet and I look forward to working with you."

"Thank you, goodbye."

I began backing my bag, not forgetting the most essential aspect of my life; my computer. I basically packed my whole life into three suitcases while my Anna looked for flights from Wyoming to Miami, my dad was filling out forms and paying forward, and it seemed like everyone was in my corner. The cold November air was about to turn into Sunny Skies in every way, and butterflies formed in my stomach. I typically refused to accept the reality of my terrible choices and decisions but with the turning of age I felt I had a responsibility to myself to get help. Although I didn't want to admit I wasn't okay, that doesn't mean I was okay. I looked at myself in the mirror, glaring at my stretch marks from a rapid loss of weight and smiled at the parts of me that remained fat. ;) Although I finally had the body I always dreamed of, I wasn't taking care of it because of how I felt towards my past. I didn't know how to come to terms with it, but I was ready to learn. November 1st, 2013 marked the date that I stopped being 'good enough'. After a night of good nights sleep, I woke up to my new reality. I wasn't okay. My bags were packed up and a taxi was outside, that waited to take me to the airport. I hugged my dad tight and told him of how much I loved and appreciated him. I waved to Anna and headed to my taxi. I was trying to be happy for myself, but something was holding me back. I felt optimistic but also felt empty with nothing to be optimistic about. I silently sat in the back seat of the taxi and watched Wyoming disappear from my eyes, and when I arrived at the airport I flopped out of the taxi and forced myself to my gate. Four months of investigating my past and answering uncomfortable questions about events I've buried deep in my memory is what I had to look forward to, but for some reason I didn't turn around.