Outsider

First Day Frightenings

     I woke up to the sound of people scurrying around the house and not even trying to be quiet well, that and the sun shinning in my eyes.
     "Wake up, time to get the day started," Mrs. Johnson said in a crooning voice.
     "Ughhh," I replied as I got up and stepped onto the cold wood floor. I changed into some decent clothes and walked into the living room to see the Johnsons standing around talking to one another.
     "There she is," Mrs. Johnson sung as she walked over to me a lightly pushed me forward. "Did you sleep well?"
     "Yes, thank you for the clothing they fit just right. The room was beautiful and cozy," I replied after yawning and rubbing the sleepiness out of my eyes.
     "Well, Mr.Johnson was just about to leave with the kids to go to school so we have sometime together. Won't this be fun!"
      "Yes," I said putting on a fake smile to the best of my abilities.
     "You must be hungry come sit," Mrs. Johnson said motioning me towards the table.
     "Yes I am thank you," I said as I walked over to the table.
     "Are blueberry pancakes ok," Mrs  Johansen asked as she walked over to the cupboard to pull out pancake mix then to the fridged to take out the blueberries.
     "Well, I prefer chocolate chip pancakes," I said kind of in disgust because blueberries are not my favorite fruit.
     "It is either this or plain pancakes. Our family is very healthy so there is not much sweets eaten in this house," Mrs. Johnson said.
     "Oh, ok. I didn't know blueberry will be fine. Thank you."
     "That's what I thought and your welcome," Mrs. Johnson said as she turned and started to make pancakes. It didn't take very long for her to make the pancakes. As soon as she set the plate in front of me I dug in not realizing my use of table manners until I looked at Mrs. Johnson and saw her staring at me with wicked eyes. I started to slow down and enjoy food Mrs. Johanson said,
     "Well that's no way to eat a table were are your manners," she questioned loudly and before I could say something I felt a burning sensation on my face realizing that she just slapped me. I was in total shock a sweet women changed her attitude in the push of a button. Mrs. Johnson then grabbed me by my arm and dragged me to the pink room.
     "You will stay in here until lunch," Mrs. Johnson said slamming the door on the way out. I was in shock for the longest time. I didn't understand how or why she was so tough the second day I was here like at least tell me some rules lady! With nothing else to do I looked out the window, layed on the soft bed, and went through the clothes in the drawers until I realized that I never opened the gift I got from Lucy. I opened the nightstand to see the pink and white box right were I left it. I picked it up and undid the neat bow and unwrapped the gift. Under the wrapping paper was a white box and when I opened it inside was a heart locket necklace. When I opened the necklace inside on each side of the heart was a picture of my mother and my father. I was on the verg of crying when Mrs. Johnson lightly knocked on the door before letting herself in.
     "I'm sorry for how I acted I realized that we didn't go over any rules yesterday so I made a list of them for you to read. Here you go," she said handing me a yellow spiral notebook and when I opened it almost all the pages were filled. "Well I'll leave you alone so you can read it and I hope you forgive me," she said before walking out of the room and closing the door lightly behind her.
     "Ugh, do I have to read all of this. This is torture," I said to myself as I got comfortable to read the notebook. The first page read
        Table Manners at the Johnson's House
* No elbows at the table
* No chewing with your mouth open
* Say thanks before eating
* No shoveling food in
* Drink all of your drink
* Once you are finished eating wash your dishes
* No wasting food
The list went on but I thought that all of these were imply to me so I turned the page and read,
                                  Rules
* No running in the house
* No T.V. until you have been outside for 1 hr.
* No T.V. until 7:30pm
* Make bed in morning
* Always brush teeth
* Be in bed by 8:30pm
* Wake up by 5:30 am
Again the list went on and on it I couldn't read anymore.
     Once everyone got home I had helped make dinner, which was salad, spaghetti, and fruit. After dinner I did the chores that I was assigned which took me until 8:30 to finish and make sure I did a good job. It was the same thing the next day and the next. Finally I got the nerves to say what I was feeling to Mrs. Johnson on Thursday, which means only 3 more days to stay with this "perfect" family.
     "Mrs. Johnson," I said with anger and annoyance in my voice. "I don't want to do anything to day and you can't make me."
     "What did you just say? Why can't I make you do your chores?"
     "Because, ummm... your not my family in fact your not my mother," I yelled at her. "Even though this is my first actual family to stay with for a while I don't like it. I would rather stay at the orphanage than stay with this family."
     "Don't talk like that to me Missy, you will listen to me no mater what. I am giving you shelter, food, and future qualities you will need because obviously you don't have anyone to do that for you. Now go to your room!"
     "Don't you ever talk about my parents it wasn't their choice to die! And I won't go back to my room until I talk to Lucy!"
     "The you don't back talk me. First finish your chores then you can talk to Lucy."
     I walked away with even more anger than when I started. My fist were clenched and it felt like my eyebrows were connected or touching. I finished all of my chores within 15 minutes which was surprising because it usually takes 45-50 minutes for me.
     "May I speak to Lucy now," I said when I walked into the kitchen.
     "Yes, you may but only for 10 minutes," Mrs. Johnson said as she dialed in Lucy's number, then she handed me the phone. Lucy picked up on the first ring and said,
     "Hello this is Lucy Portmann, who is this," she said in her sweet voice.
     "Lucy, this is Summer. I don't think I like it here. I want to go back," I whinned hoping she would understand.
     "Are you sure? I could try to pick you up but it will have to be quick and soon."
     "I'm sure. When ever you can come, please."
     "Ok, I'll pick you up at noon. Can I speak to Mrs. Johnson. Sure," I said handing the phone to Mrs. Johnson.
     "Hello Mrs. Portmann. Oh, ok I see. Mhhmm. Ok I'll make sure she has all of her things. Thank you. Ok see you at noon. Ok bye," Mrs. Johnson hung up and put the phone down then looked at the clock and said,
     "Well you heard her get your things together you have about half an hour until she gets here "
     "Yes mama,"  I said almost skipping towards my room. I got my things together so quickly I had to double check I had everything then Mr. Johnson came in and said,
     "I heard what happened today and I'm sorry you don't like our ways. I convinced Mrs. Johnson to let you take some clothes with you. She said you could take some socks, three pairs of pants and three shirts."
     "Oh, ok thank you," I said surprised that Mrs. Johnson would let me take anything. Not long after I got everything I needed I heard a knock on the door. Mr. Johnson got up to open it and it was Lucy right on time like usual. I felt the urge to run up to her and give her a hug but I held myself down instead I got up calmly and walked towards her.
     "Are you ready," Lucy asked.
     "Yes," I responded. "Thank you for letting me stay," I said to the Johnson family before leaving to get into the black shinny car. "Thank you Lucy for understanding my need to go."
     "Your welcome Summer," she said smiling.