Light as a Feather

Chapter Two

     After getting everything in the house, her parents basically plugged themselves in. Her dad's iPhone was glued to his ear, his face looking much older than it had two seconds ago. "No, I have to stay here for a family reunion. Call another surgeon in the area." A pause. "What do you mean there's nobody else?" He sounded really upset. Her mom was talking on the phone with a client, but she looked worried about her dad and the tone of his voice.

     A few minutes later, her dad hung up the phone. His shoulders were tense, and he looked as if he were about to burst. "I have to go," he informed them. Annabelle noticed that they hadn't even gotten through the lavish lobby. It was painted a rich, wine red, and different odds and ends were on the walls. A mirror reflected their faces.

     "Why?" her mom asked as she grit her teeth.

     "No surgeons in the area. Huge accident. I'll be back in time for the party." He kissed Annabelle's mom and her and then left as soon as they had come. It occurred to her that she and her mom would need a car. She told her mom that.

     "He'll take a taxi. He's not that dumb," her mom joked. Annabelle smiled weakly. She knew that her mom was only trying to make up for his absence. It wasn't working.

     "I bet you don't remember anything about this house, do you?" her mom asked, looking around. Her purse was on her arm.

     "Nope," Annabelle answered.

     Her mom nodded. "I'll take you to your room, then." They picked up their bags again. Her mom led her to a grand hall. Actually, it was more of a large room with wide stairs. The stairs looked like something out of a book. They were a dark, rich brown with a red velvet carpet lain over them. Who would want to clean that? Not her. As they walked up the stairs, she caught glimpses of pictures of her family members. A lot of them were people she didn't know. She saw one of her grandmother. She was wearing a necklace with a feather on it and her hair was done perfectly. Her lips and eyes gave her an unreadable expression.

     The farther down the hall they got, the less happy Annabelle was. But her mom finally stopped at a door to their right. She placed her bags next to the door and turned the knob. She motioned for Annabelle to enter first. For once, she obeyed.

     The room was beautiful, she had to admit. The bed had a canopy and the comforter was a pure white, like a wedding dress. The pillows were the same color. There was a vanity mirror in the far corner with lightbulbs outlining it. There were also two circular chairs that were wine red, and looked as if they were made of velvet, like the stairs. Even the soft carpet looked perfect. "This is my room?" she asked her mom.

     "Yep. Believe it or not, this is where your grandmother and I used to sleep. Not together though, obviously. When we were your age." Her eyes flitted around the room, taking everything in. Then she said, "Well, I'm just down the hall."

     "Mom?"

     "Yes?" her mom said as she picked up her bags again.

     "When is the reunion?"

     "Saturday."

     Annabelle nodded. That meant she had three days. Today was Tuesday.