Year 1980
Chapter One
Moving to Idaho wasn’t the easiest thing for me, but I can’t say it was the hardest. At least there was an upside, here people wouldn’t be constantly asking how I was doing or giving me those pitying looks of sympathy.
Of course I’m still in mourning of my mother’s death. But people here didn’t have to know about it.
“So,” my father said as he glanced around our new home, boxes covering most of the floor space. “First day of school tomorrow, huh?”
“Yeah.” I mumbled as I set myself down at the table, the only piece of furniture available besides a few crumby fold out chairs.
“So, you already?” I looked from him to the front door; his gaze followed mine to the overstuffed back pack blocking the doorway. “Ahh…” my father said in understanding. “Well I got to be to work in twenty.” he said as he glanced at his watch. “Make sure you and your brother have a healthy breakfast, sorry I can’t join, have to be early the first day.” He said as he slipped on his jacket and took his keys off the kitchen counter. “And enjoy your last day of freedom.” My father pushed my backpack aside with his foot, and walked out the door.
I sighed with relief. I know my father is trying to do his best to make us feel like everything’s going to be okay and turn out fine. But he’s been going around as Mr. Joy, which frankly, makes us uncomfortable. What happened to the man who was my father? The one with emotion, who would have trouble coping with the death of his wife? But his mask didn’t fool me, I would hear him at night, when he thinks that we’re asleep, sobbing my mother’s name.
“RICHARD!” I yelled. “GET YOUR LAZY BUTT UP AND GET SOME BREAKFAST!” I got up from the table and went to the kitchen. I wasn’t surprised to find nothing but a few rotten eggs hidden in the door of our fridge.“Ugh, Gross” I said as I threw them in the trash. “YOU DIDN’T CLEAR THE FRIDGE ALL THE WAY BEFORE WE LEFT, BOZO! AND DIDN’T DAD TELL YOU TO GET GROCERIES LAST NIGHT?!” I hollered again, as you can tell today wasn’t a good day for me.
I know I should be glad that I have one last day to get settled and used to our new house, but I can’t stop thinking about school tomorrow. Back in California I was, and had everything. Captain of the cheerleading squad, Prom Queen for the past two years, and of course I was dating the most attractive boy on the football team, it’s all part of the package. And tomorrow would write out my future for the rest of my life. I would be filed into one of five groups, cliques, emos, wallflowers, scene, or nerds. Of course the first is what I’m used to and would fit in the better.
But different places have different people and what would it mean to them if I was the cheerleading Captain in California. No. This was a whole new battlefield. And I am going to try to get to the top if it kills me.
Richard stumbled down the stairs in his pajamas, with his black hair fanning around his head, his eyes squinted, trying to adjust to the light.
“What’s for breakfast? “He yawned as he scratched his leg, ignoring my inquiries.
“Well not eggs.” I replied as I tossed a box of cereal to him that I found in the cupboard, God knows if it was even ours. “You enjoy that without milk.” I said sweetly as I grabbed my bag off the table.
“Where ya goin?” He asked as he started to open the box.
“The store.”
“In your pajamas?”
“Oh heck yeah.” I said with a smile as closed the door behind me.
