Visionary

C H A P T E R 2

"Good luck, little bird," my mom tells me with a quick kiss on my forehead as she whisks by me to sit down at the table.

My stomach churns with excitement. "Thanks," I respond with a wide grin.

Dad looks at us from the kitchen with an annoyed expression. "English, please."

I don't think my mom even realized she was speaking in Chinese, because her eyes widen and she laughs at him. I'm laughing at him too. It's not like I know that much of the language at all, but I love speaking enough to confuse him.

My parents met when my dad went on a business trip to China, where he came across my mom in the business industry. He didn't know enough Chinese to really have a conversation, but she knew enough English and helped him. Then, after a few years when he moved back to Minnesota where we live now, she came with him.

I love the story because I think that's how everything should go. We should help each other through stuff instead of feeling high and mighty because we know more than the other.

Still, though, I really wish we learned Chinese in school.

"Sorry," my mom apologizes, in English now, still laughing. "My mother used to tell me that all the time when I had a big day ahead of me. It's habit now."

My dad gives us our pancakes and sits down with us. "Alright, alright, make fun of the American." He has a smile on his face. "What's on our schedules today?"

"Cast list!" I exclaim, startling both my parents.

Dad gives me a surprised glance. "You're not excited about the first day of school?"

I pause. "Oh. I mean, yeah, but I've had lots of first days of school."

"Only one first day of eleventh grade," my mom offers, already into her pancakes.

My mom wrinkles her nose. "I have a meeting today with close minded morons."

My dad furrows his eyebrows sympathetically. "Which ones?"

I'm stuffing pancakes in my mouth. "True! All of them!"

My mom nods disgustedly. "All of them."

I finish eating quickly and then throw my backpack over my shoulder. Yeah, I'm excited for the cast list. I'm even excited for the first day of school. But most of all...

My skin itches every time I think about the cabinet.

"Love you! See you after school!" And with that, I'm out the door, in the car, and on my way to school.

My phone rings. Milo's ringtone goes straight to the speaker on my car and I answer it excitedly.

"Mi the guy!"

There's a moment of silence and then a laugh. "Never call me that again."

"Are you excited for the first day of-"

"Not really, are you?"

I nod and then realize he can't see me. "I am. Mostly because guess what we get to do?"

There's a pause and then Milo gasps. "The weird probably possessed cabinet!"

I'm at a stoplight now. "After school today."

Silence again and then Milo clears his throat a little. "Oh... actually, uh, Sarah. I'm not sure if I'll be at school today."

My heart skips a beat. "Why not? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he reassures me quickly. It reminds me of a panicked kid when a parent asks a suspicious question. Then he hesitates again. "Nothing big. I have to go out of town-" There's a sound somewhere in the background and then he says quickly, "I'll see you later."