Genesis

CHAPTER 2 The Final Countdown

I opened my eyes slowly and looked around my room, disoriented briefly. It was just a dream, I thought, slightly bewildered. I laid still for a long moment remembering the beautiful boy with the dark, chocolate brown hair and crystal blue eyes that played the starring role in last night's dream. I had never dreamt that vividly in all of my sixteen years. It felt as though it really happened.

I was wide awake now. The sun was already bright, streaming through the slits in the horizontal blinds that were always open. It was June 21, the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the first day of summer. There would be a big party at the lake tonight. This was an annual event that was attended by almost everyone I knew. Was that fate? Or some cruel joke, perhaps? No, I wasn't going to see the move as negative any longer. I had enjoyed my private pity party last night. Today was a new day and I was going to seize it. Although a fly on the wall might have seen it differently if it had been here last night, I wasn't normally a negative or pouty person. I dealt mostly with facts and I was usually very logical. The fact was that we were moving to Eden. I had no choice in this decision. Therefore, I could accept it and make the best of my new circumstances or I could fight it and make everyone around me miserable. Those were my only two options. Either way, we would still be moving in less than two weeks. What kind of big sister would I be if I chose the latter? No, my mother depended on me and my brother and sisters looked up to me. I would smile and be helpful regardless of how I felt on the inside. I sat up, took a deep breath and practiced my smile.

Jennie opened her eyes. "Morning," I said cheerfully with my newly practiced smile slowly making its way to my eyes. She wouldn't notice if my eyes betrayed me, but my mother would. And so would Jane. I was determined now to commit wholeheartedly to my new life. It was the logical thing to do.

"Mmmmornin...," she mumbled sleepily.

I sprang up from the comfort of my bed and headed to the bathroom to get a drink of water and brush my teeth before doing anything else. After taking care of business, I found a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, grabbed my cell and walked quietly down the stairs. I wasn't sure who was awake. I looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. 7:25 am. "Ugh!" I guess that's what happens when you go to bed so early.

I retrieved the newspaper from the front steps and made a pot of coffee. This was another mother-daughter ritual that began several years ago, after my mother divorced her third husband, Danny's father. I had shown an interest in current events as far back as I could remember. I used to ask so many questions that she finally ordered the daily paper so I could read the local news for myself. Along with perusing the headlines, I learned to enjoy a hot cup of coffee. When I was younger, it smelled so good to me. After much begging, my mother let me try some of hers one day. Yuck! I had to spit it out. She drank it black and it was so strong. After about thirty seconds of chortling, she made some for me with lots of cream and sugar and I was hooked. I've cut down on the sugar somewhat, but still require lots of cream. Sweet and blonde, Peggie calls it; just like her, she says.

The coffee was ready now. I poured myself a cup and put the carafe back to keep it hot. I took the rubber band off the paper, uncurled it and started reading above the fold, where the most important stories of the day were displayed. A fire consumed a historic building downtown late last night. That's too bad. The president will be travelling overseas. I'd like to travel overseas someday. Maybe to Israel, the ancestral home of my dad's side of the family, the Jacobs. The forecast called for hazy, hot and humid weather over the next few days. Finally! The weather hadn't been very summerlike so far. It would be perfect for the lake party. I skimmed the paper till 8:00. Surely, my friends would be up by now.

I called Jane. We agreed to meet at our favorite breakfast place, the Depot Diner in Salem, New Hampshire, at 9:00. She'd call Peggie and I'd call Annie to let them know of our plans.