Solecism (under revision)

Chapter Six

Katherine Beauvais

            Athens, Tennessee, the friendly city. I saw the sign and straightened on my seat. Mrs. Mary noticed. “I’m just really excited to see my Nana. I haven’t seen her in a long time” I smiled at her.

            “I’m darn sure that she be missin’ you too, sugar” Mrs. Mary replied.

            I lied. My Nana lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is a 58 minute drive from here. I just need to talk to someone before I go to Nana. Maybe he can help; after all he is the one who posed the idea of running away to us.

I’m not saying you should all run away, all I’m saying is that when I managed on my own feet I took off and lived on my own. Our parents agreed with me. They wanted to help me find a place, actually they wanted to give me a house, but I said no. I found peace I thought I’d find in death. Yes, death. I thought about it but I never tried to kill myself. Just to make that clear.

            It can get quite lonely sometimes

 

 

Eventually, Margarette ran away, being an idiot and all, because of a boy who eventually left her and broke her heart. She thought she was independent enough on her own, well she’s not. She was 18 then and her idea of running away is staying at Nana’s house. Well, at the very least she was in the right mind to stay in college and now she’s graduating this year, this week actually. Margarette and our parents made peace for about 3 years ago. She made this drama over how hard it was and how she understood our parents and everything they ever did was for us. I just rolled my eyes at how fake they all are. Among the four of us Margarette was always apart; the one who never joins any game we played, the one you would think that was not one of us.

Philly followed her footsteps but wisely. When he turned 18 and was going to college, he asked mom and dad if he could live on his own. It took a week of persuasion before they said yes and only if they help him get started. We were all at the airport when he left, Mom, Dad, Nana, Uncle Jason, Willy and I. Philly hugged Willy and me tightly and whispered “I’ll only come back for you two, then I’ll take you two with me”. He lied. He never showed up again. He never even called. I tried to understand him but after years of waiting, i knew i had to do something.

Those were his parting words to us. Willy and I understood why they wanted to leave so badly. They just cannot take such pressure to be perfect. Mom and Dad knew that there were no such thing as perfection but they believed that if you aimed for it, you’ll be the best. I guess that wasn’t so bad, we were all good at something. Margarette can sell a painting for atleast $50,000. Her works of art are now displayed in museums; Philly never got a grade lower than A. He was the genius; Willy is the star player of the basketball and hockey team in his school; and I am a perfectionist. I make sure everything is perfectly done before I call it a day. Mom said it was a gift that I am perfect, but it’s not and I’m not. It’s a sickness that drives me crazy. I got diagnosed when I was 7. I knew something was wrong with me, my parents didn’t listen. Nana and Uncle Jason noticed and they’re the ones who took me to the doctor. Good thing it wasn’t that serious that I just have to take some pills and do the exercises to relieve myself of the anxiety.