A little love goes a long way

6=

December twenty-first, that was the day that Sophie's world changed.

Nana Rose and Grandpa Brian were coming over for the Christmas break; a time where presents and laughter normally permeated from homes, and the chill in the air that bit noses, was welcomed in the sense that it was now Christmas - the ice was still cursed by all but innocent children - but that fact was still overlooked because - Christmas.

Not that her parents really celebrated it, but Sophie was finally leaving high school, having got into quite a good university, opting to take college courses after finishing her university courses - the three she had opted for, at least at first, being psychology, sociology and languages under a combined honours choice - with a scholarship that entitled her to vastly reduced fees, enough that would be manageable. Languages was a broad subject, taking up the most time of six years in comparison to the four years of the 'ologies, but it covered conversational knowledge in up to eight languages, including Greek and Latin.

Sophie couldn't wait to see Grandpa Brian, as he was a real history nut when he was younger, though in his older years - his love never wavering - he started to relax on the knowledge he crammed into his skull, and instead passed the information he still retained down onto willing ears. Nana Rose was more of a home economics girl, as that was how she was raised, though her cakes were the best when she made them, so of course, nobody complained.

December twentieth was the day they arrived, giant gift bags by Rose's sides, hanging heavily from her arms - Jake offered to carry them to the guest room. "What a darling boy - a right little gentleman he is, isn't he Brian?" She turned over her shoulder to witness Grandpa Brian nod his head in approval with a laugh as he was embraced suddenly by Sophie. Jake had just disappeared from view as their parents appeared - what was the old saying, a door shuts a window opens, though used for opportunities, I suppose it could be twisted to fit the appearance of her parents. She pulled quickly from her Grandpa, in fear of being scolded.

"How's my darling daughter, eh?" Rose reached out for Sophie's mother, a warm smile on her face, though colder eyes than when she arrived. It seems only she and her Grandpa noticed, to which he gave her a knowing wink and kissed her hair before lugging their suitcase upstairs, denying the assistance of Sophie; of her own will or at the hands of her Mother, either way, he travelled upstairs, and it had taken a while before he and Jake both returned.

Time had passed in merry moods, well, as merry as they could be. Mainly it was sat in silence whilst watching Christmas time movies that aired almost around the clock, and at advertisement breaks - when the parents excused themselves for a cigarette - the four of them talked freely and happily about what school was like, Sophie was a bit more reserved about her opinion of course, but stating classes were great, they nodded in agreement and on their faces appeared the knowing looks again as their eyes met, before Grandpa Brian gave in and kissed Rose's cheek, the show would resume not long after; parents following not long afterwards.

It had taken two and a half movies before their Father announced in his scratchy voice, that he was heading to bed. He had a surgery to perform in the morning - injuries don't stop just for Christmas - he used to say before the family fell.

Their mother lasted until the end of the movie - Sophie thought it was Elf, but in reality, she wasn't paying any attention.

"Night hon, see you tomorrow" her Nana yawned, watching her daughter trail sluggishly up the wooden steps, slimy hand squeaking against the polished railing, knocking an empty frame, and leaving it slanted. She clearly had too much eggnog. Rose would not retire so soon, even if her tiredness overcame her, not when she had a plan of action, something that she had been scheming with Brian for the best part of the year, since Jake's birthday in April, at his family party where they witnessed what would eventually set their plan into motion.

"Alright," she sat up straighter, nudging her husband's arm to jolt him from his light snoring "we have a plan, and you kiddos better listen good, y'hear? Otherwise, a year of planning ain't gonna do squat." Sophie and Jake nodded, curiosity lingering in their eyes, their thirst for answers quenched as she lowly informed them of what they were to do, handing them each a pen, the four of them grinned.

"Alright, Darling, mini-Darlings, I'll be heading to bed, so don't you forget what you have to do, y'hear?" They nodded, Brian standing, shaking his right leg from its own sleep, Sophie on his right keeping him balanced whilst Jake was rummaging in the cupboard next to the bay window, until his head and upper torso appeared, followed by a hiss of approval at the boxes held within his grasp. By the time he had turned around, Grandpa Brian had ambled into the kitchen or bathroom - they were in the same direction - Rose had pattered off upstairs and Sophie was carefully pulling out books from the bookshelf.

At ten, Grandpa had excused himself to bed, leaving Sophie and Jake on their own individual tasks, their heads reeling with the plan, running it over and over again in their mind, reciting the words they had heard as if they were a prayer - who knew, maybe they were.

It had taken a good part of an hour before their task of removing anything of value - sentimental that is - was completed, the small alarm clock reading 10:51. Sophie and Jake exchanged looks before setting the boxes they held by the door, for Rose and Grandpa to deal with, before carefully tiptoeing up the stairs, padding across creaky, carpeted flooring in front of their parent's room, holding their breath until they reached their grandparents room - the guest room, - and knocking on the door twice, waiting until the planned three knocks resounded.

Once they were certain that segment two was in action, they started heading up into the attic, and it was probably one of the easiest parts of the plan as the ladder made virtually no sound coming down, and sock covered feet made no noise on thick rungs. Once up, they knew where to step before boxing up more sentimental objects, hands shaking with glee, finally thankful for the dingy bare, swinging bulb above their heads coating the room in a sickening yellow as it helped them to see the excitement, soon they would be rid of it - Sophie would be rid of it.

Finishing up the attic, then the study, Jake's room and the bathroom - they headed downstairs once more and sat on the steps, as instructed - of course, once they had brought all the boxes down and placed them by the door.

A whisper excited and terrified them simultaneously. "We're ready, come on kids." It was clearly Brian's deep voice, as they couldn't see in the darkness, blinds drawn - not turning any lights on, just in case they were caught - they stood up quickly and bolted out the door.

The cold night air had never smelt sweeter, light snow dusted the ground, as if the earth had tried, but didn't have enough energy to produce a true coating of snow - but that didn't matter, all that did, was getting inside the car, to warmth, to safety, and finally - finally - to happiness and care. Rose adjusted the mirror in the car, just enough so that her hazel eyes met Sophie's blue ones, they crinkled in the corners, filled with mirth and pure delight, then to Jake's green eyes, though she didn't meet his as once he sat in the car, he fell asleep quicker than he had time to put his seat-belt on.

After adjusting it, the car started moving.

Slowly, slowly, speed-bump, slight dip, increase speed, turn right - Sophie was memorising the movements, like a game - around the roundabout, gear switch, speed-bump, increase -and they were free. The culdesac was behind them, and Rose drove to the highway and kept going.

Stars and lights passing by a car window, even other cars headlights, so peaceful and serene. Thinkers notice these things and ruminate on stories they might have heard about the stars, or stories they wish to create, scenes in a movie - a sad romance, or a cheesy drama perhaps - but not for Sophie. The lights - they brought her a comfort, along with the winter breeze of an open window. She stared intently at each passing thing and did not stop as her cheeks were tainted red, or her hair knotted from every which way it travelled. The feeling she experienced that night she would never forget.

Freedom.