An American Scandal (Editing)

Chapter 24: Running

Chapter 24: Running

I was not in the best condition but I knew what I had to do. I felt like everyone had a plan for my life and their plan did not involve any of my wishes. I was sick of this shit. I still remember how everyone seemed calm about my father’s plan to send me to Suriname. It was like a plan that they all cooked up. I know, I must have been a disgrace to my father and that probably was enough for him to ship me away, but I thought more of my mother and James. But I guess everyone is all the same. They wanted to protect their name and identity against my scandalous life and behavior. So I decided to run.

I was released from the hospital a week after the big announcement that I was Suriname bound. I had not gone back to school and I was talking to people limitedly. I was supposed to be bedridden but when everyone went off to work or school, I was getting myself together. I was getting ready for what I wanted to do. I was not going to make everyone and everything run my life anymore. I was going to decide what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go, and how I wanted my life to be. I was going to 18 years old and a mother in a few months, I believe it was time for me to get my life in order.  

So, I booked my own flight and I called my old friend in my town and told them I was coming. When I reached out to my friend, she was so excited. She had known about the issues I was having, because the news reached Suriname, not from my dad’s mouth, but through every medium available, the internet, the television, the AP newswire, you name it, my life was an open book for the world.  I did not want to go to my grandparents’ house because I would be under lock and key supervision. I also did not want to have to report to my parents. I felt like they turned their backs on me, so I was turning my back on them. My family did not feel like much of a family. It felt more like people consumed with their image than my well being. As the saying goes sometimes strangers become more loyal and your right hand than the people connected to you by blood.

My parents were at work, James was at school living a regular life, just like the rest of my American friends, my siblings were back to their city lives, and I was the only one living in solitude, counting down the days to my ship off. But I was in control now. So, I tapped up the last box and then heard the doorbell. The guys from Caribbean Shipping were here. They began to move my stuff from my bedroom, mainly my clothes. I decided not to bring my bed and to just bring my computer center with me. I left my dresser and television. I did bring some photos of my folks, siblings, and James. Even though, I did not feel the love right now for them, I was sure that I would want to see their faces again. I know I was being a bit ridiculous and unsafe but I just needed to be away from everyone.

I took my suitcase and then went down the stairs. The Caribbean Shipping company men helped me because I was still weak but I was strong on angry. I wrote a short note to my parents. “See you at the crossroads.” I pasted the note to the refrigerator and smiled at it. I am sure it will send shivers down their spin. But then my smile turned in sadness.  The thought of me not being missed made my lips curl downward. I turned away from the note and then walked to the front door that no longer belonged to me. I was on edge on whether I should call James or not. I did have his baby growing inside of me. He did deserve some form of decency. But then again he was as much, as the others, accepting of my departure. So, me leaving on my own cognizance should not be that much different. I pushed my phone in my pocket and decided that he too could meet me at the crossroads.

I went into the cab and turned off my phone. I reclined my head back and then allowed a tear to roll down my face as I smiled. I was running to a new beginning and I was ready for it.

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A/N: Hey lovely people. How are you? I am back in America. OMG my very long vacation was amazing. I went back to Jamaica and I was pretty much living there. lol But it was fun. Had me a little summer romance. I can't even talk about it because I am still sad that he is not in America. Why is that all the good guys aren't in America? WTF America needs better guys...geesh. anyways look out for a double upload.

Remember to vote, comment, like, and share. I am sorry for the late upload but yeah, I was being bad in Jamaica