Winter in Spruceworth | Spruceworth 4.3 (Short Story)

8. Holden

8. Holden

       I walked down the stairs, putting on my jacket on the way. I just hoped Mom and Dad would let me go outside, because they hated it when I went outside in the dark, especially during winter time when there was snow and ice on the ground.

       I loved them and everything, but they were way too protective.

       Mom and Dad were both downstairs, looking at a piece of paper. When they noticed me, Dad asked, "Where are you going?"

       "Just for a walk," I said. "Probably to the store just to pick up a few snacks."

       "No, you can't," Mom said.

       "Why not?" I asked. "We live right by the store. It will take me five minutes. Maybe a bit more because I can never decide what to buy."

       "But it's past your curfew," Mom said.

       "What are you talking about?" I asked. "My curfew is at ten. It's almost seven. I still have three hours left."

       "But it's dark out," Dad said. "We don't want you accidentally slip and injure yourself even more."

       I scoffed and took off my jacket before throwing it on the couch. "You're unbelievable."

       I started walking up the stairs, and didn't stop when Dad called my name.

       "I'm going to take a nap!" I called back. "Or is that too dangerous for me too?!" 

       He didn't reply, thankfully, but I still did. By slamming my bedroom door shut when I got inside. I was so sick and tired of Mom and Dad treating me like a baby. I could barely do anything without them being worried that I would injure myself even more.

       Yet when it came to school, that was a completely different story and I just wasn't trying hard enough to get high grades. The two of them just couldn't make up their mind with my brain injury.

       I walked over to my bedroom window, opening it up and looking down to see how far the ground was. There was a ledge right underneath...

       I sighed and closed the window. Sneaking out the window was actually something I could injure myself with, especially with all the snow on the roofs and ledges. 

       See? I knew my limits. I knew exactly what to stay away from, so my parents shouldn't have to worry at all.

       Since I had nothing else to do, I was going to take a nap, but then my Dad called me downstairs. I debated ignoring him and pretending I already fell asleep, but I left my bedroom anyway to see what they wanted this time.

       The first thing I noticed when I got downstairs was Shaw sitting on the couch. I didn't even have time to ask what he was doing here since Dad asked if I could sit down.

       "If this is about me getting Holden the job at The Gold Mine, I know I should have ran it by you first," Shaw said. "But really, he's doing an amazing job there."

       "No, it's not about that," Dad said.

       "Then... What is this about?" I asked.

       Dad didn't reply. Instead, he tossed something on the coffee table. Shaw and I looked at it and as soon as I saw what it was, my heart dropped.

       It was a picture.

       Of me and Shaw.

       Kissing.