Your Shades of Gold

Into the woods

The move from my English home to the small town of Forks was no less than exhausting. Hours after hours of travelling had left their mark. My hair was a tangled nest, my eyes sporting the dark purple of sleeplessness which, of course, was further accentuated by the navy T-shirt I had the inspiration to put on that morning.

I certainly know how to impress, I thought looking down at my worn-out shoes while my face scrunched into a grimace.

After everything that happened, dad had to send me somewhere. I got it. Still, I couldn't help asking myself repeatedly if it really had to be to her. Though I suppose dire situations, do call for dire solutions.

So, there I was.

And, of course, there was Carry.

Carry, my mother's only living relative, was standing in the middle of the airport's waiting room. I paused at the entrance, taking a moment to make my assessment. Just as I had expected, nothing of significance seemed to have changed, at least appearance-wise. Perfectly straight hair, flawless makeup and a fitted dress that left little to the imagination.

I sighed and tilted my head backwards,l closing my eyes in exaustion. Afterall, I did have to get my thoughts in some kind of order before having to cover for my utter lack of enthusiasm.

I hadn't seen her for years, yet my thoughts unconsciously strayed to one of the most unpleasant memories I had of her.

If I remembered correctly, and I somehow doubt I didn't, it was after getting together for Thanksgiving at Grandma's house. Admittedly, my memories of that day were somewhat vague, a fact which I blame on my being still too young and spirited at that time, but come nigh time, I was utterly and irrevocably shocked. I had never seen my mom that angry, though I know not why that was. All I could figure out was that Carry was the undoubted catalyst of whatever had unfolded and that now she was the target of my mom's ire.

"Oh, that devil-woman! Nothing good ever comes out of speaking with her. I swear everytime I see her I feel like clawing my eyes out."

I shuddered at the memory. If she could make mom this mad...I would definitely have to be on my toes around her.

Taking a deep breath of air, more with the purpose of calling up every ounce of courage I could muster, I finally began waking in her direction, albeit with utmost reluctance, dragging my luggage along.

"Hi aunt Carry" I said quietly when I had reached her, offering her what I hoped was a convincing smile.

" Oh, you're here." She said, looking up from her phone dejectedly "Good. We can move on then. I have some business to take care of in town so I'll just drop you off at the house"

" Oh...okay. You don't have to worry about me. I don't want to be any more of a bother. I'll unpack on my own and find something to do."

"Perfect," she said with more cheer as she started walking me out of the airport and into the car park "Your room is upstairs, second on the right. You can take anything you want from the fridge, but don't touch anything else, I don't like people going through my stuff." she said, puckering her lips.

" Okay." I conceded with a frown which luckily went by unnoticed" I'll just grab something quick to eat and go to my room."

As we reached her car, a beautiful medium-sized red Ford, and got inside I tried to calm myself once more.

Frankly, I was not what you would call a people-person, which basically means I found it hard to start a conversation and, sometimes, even keep one going.

This is going to be a long ride, I thought in surrender.

Fortunately for me though, Carry didn't seem to care much for chit chatt and the car ride to Forks proved to be much shorter than I had imagined.