Talks on Sunset Hill

Chapter 3-Mom talk and alchohol

Alice came through the door of her new home to find her dad sitting at the table with a small glass of something that seemed unidentifiable.
"Hey dad, I'm home," Alice waved.
"Hey, sweety! How was your time with James?" He replied.
"It was good! We went swimming in the creek, we took a couple pictures with my camera, we watched the sunset, and I nearly twisted my ankle in this one hole," Alice laughed.
Adam laughed back as well. "Sounds fun! Just don't fall in a ditch," he joked.
Alice rolled her eyes humorously. She checked the newly hanging clock and noticed it was almost 8:00, and for some reason—she was very tired.
"Hey dad, I'm gonna head to bed soon. I'm really tired," Alice let Adam know.
"Alrighty. It was a long day for us yesterday, I think I'm going to go to bed too. But first, have some kiddie wine.
Alice was puzzled. "Kiddie wine?"
Adam laughed. "I have a glass of wine, and I poured you some grape juice so we could both do cheers!"
Alice beamed and shook her head. "Of course you did," she chuckled, remembering their special-occasion drinks.
They sat down at their small table again and clinked their glasses together. They sat and talked about things they were going to do in the future of their new neighborhood while sipping their drinks.
Alice yawned.
"I think it's time we both get to bed," Adam said, seeing Alice yawning.
"Yep." Alice stood up and gave her dad a goodnight hug, and walked up the soft carpet stairs to her bedroom. She shivered from the remnants of the cold water droplets still stuck to her.
I should get a shower....
Alice grabbed some undergarments and pajamas for her shower.
"Where are the towels...." Alice fumbled through the closet with boxes and pulled out a towel after a moment of looking.
The water felt so warm on her cold body from swimming in the creek.
The creek.
Alice had fallen in love.
She had fallen in love with the creek, the hill, and the neighborhood, already on the second day of living there.
She stepped out of the shower and wrapped her towel around herself with satisfaction.
"So warm...." Alice said to herself.
She dressed into her pajamas and walked to her room.
With her hair combed, teeth brushed, and shower taken, Alice fell right asleep.

~~~

Alice awoke to the sound of the door opening and closing at 4:40 am.
Alice sat up and rubbed her eyes. She looked out her window down at the driveway, and to her surprise, it was her dad's truck that was pulling out.
"What?" Alice was bewildered.
Adam never woke up before 6:50 at the earliest. He also seemed to be driving faster than usual.
Alice became worried. Was something wrong with her dad?
She rushed downstairs to the house phone, knowing that her dad had a cell phone on him.
She dialed his number quickly.
"Hello, this is Adam, please leave a message—a kind one is appreciated! Thank you!"
Alice groaned. Maybe he didn't want to answer, maybe he was getting over some stress, maybe he was going insane, maybe he was seeing someone else....
Alice thought of all possible options for her dad to be up and driving so early.
I'm overthinking it.
Alice sat down. It was 4:56 AM now.
She rested her head in her hand and sighed anxiously.
She hated being home alone. And with no one else to call in the neighborhood, she had no idea what to do.
Then she thought of something.
"Maybe James is at the hill!" She exclaimed to herself in a whisper.
Alice put some boots on, fixed herself up a bit, and stepped into the chilly air.
I don't need a jacket, I'll be fine....
Alice shivered slightly as she trekked towards the hill.
Coming up the hill, she saw a little fluff of blonde hair, and then a face, and then—
James.
"Oh, hello Alice," he beamed.
"Hey James. How are you?"
"I'm doing okay, how about you? I saw your dad leave...."
"That's exactly what I came here for. I'm not that okay, because my dad usually wakes up later—no, all the time actually. But when he was leaving the driveway, he pulled out really fast, and he had his high beams on. He also drove faster than usual, too. He knows I hate being home alone, because I need a person around me all the time. It's weird, because I'm fifteen and should be able to be on my own...."
James listened intently at Alice's rambling, taking in every word.
"....yesterday, my dad also had a glass of wine. He never drinks. But this was a special occasion, but I don't know. I saw a small bottle of wine in our pantry cabinet, but I don't know if it has anything to do with—"
Alice stopped as James stood up and walked closer to her.
Then she realized she had talked way too much.
"Oh, I am so so sorry for rambling...."
"Hey, it's okay. Let's investigate on why your dad is up so early, and why there's a bottle of wine in your pantry when he almost never drinks. Do you want to do that?" He smiled politely.
Alice sighed with quiet relief. James was actually not judging her for talking so much. Instead, he was helping.
"Sure, let's do that!" She jumped with excitement.
James laughed. "But first, do you want to talk? Like we've been doing?"
Alice nodded her head. "Yeah!"
They both sat down on the hill. 
"So, I haven't seen your mom around. Where is she?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you—my parents are divorced. I mean, personally, it's better for my dad. I don't like my mom though, I told you that," Alice confirmed.
"Yeah, I remember," James recalled. "So, would you be willing to go into detail about why you don't like your mom?" He asked politely.
Alice hesitated. "Promise not to tell anyone?"
James held up his hand. "Promise."
They shook on it.
Alice took a deep breath.
"So....my mom basically judges me for everything I do. If I am doing something, like drawing, for example, my mom would say it's bad or that I'm wasting my time. But if I sit down and do nothing out of her being mad at me for doing something, she calls me lazy, selfish, and careless."
James widened his eyes. "That's terrible, I didn't know it was that bad...."
Alice nodded. "It gets worse. If I make so much as a little statement that doesn't match her way, she will....she will...."
Alice paused. She looked back up at James, unsure of whether to continue or not.
"She'll hit me hard, and lock me in my room for a few hours with no food. She never let my dad have a say. It's why I look freakin' anorexic sometimes."
James noticed that Alice was starting to slightly shake from the memories, and put his hand on her shoulder as she continued speaking.
"She spoils my little brother Jackie rotten. She gives him all the love, the goods, the food, and lets him get away with anything because he's "everything she ever wanted.""
James nodded, and Alice continued.
"Did you know she stole money from me as a child and still does sometimes today? I was holding a 20$ bill that my grandma gave me for my 10th birthday, and I set it on the table because I dropped a pencil on the floor. Next second I come back up, my mom has it. I said it's mine, and she said that I didn't take care of it. I told her that I was only picking up a pencil for a second, and....she hit me. And stole it. And locked me in my room without food for lunch AND dinner."
James's mouth opened wide. "That's horrible!"
Alice was shaking more. "And....my parents share custody, so my mom can take me whenever she wants."
James threw up his hands. "She should NOT be allowed to have you, after all she put you through. No way."
"Yeah, but my dad said it costs money to change custody orders, and he's going to a new job interview soon. As soon as we get enough money, that's what I'm going to ask for. I want to stay here permanently, I love it here already! Like, the creek! And Sunset Hill! I mean, who would want to leave this place?"
James smiled. "I'm really glad you like this place. I love it too. Now, how is your dad paying for the house?"
"He bought it straight up, so no monthly pay. He has to get that money back, though."
James nodded. "Hmm...."
Alice looked over at him, and he smirked discreetly. And idea formed in his mind.
"What're you smirking for?" Alice laughed.
"Oh, nothing, I just thought of something that could help your dad. Where is he going for a job interview?"
Alice beamed. Already, she had met such a nice person.
"He's going for a job at the West Edmunsburg doctors office."
"Sweet! My plan will be even better," James replied.
Alice laughed. "What's your plan?"
James grinned. "Well, my mom is a physician at that office and she can get your dad a good job that pays alot. All I have to do is tell her about it, and she can help out," James jumped up from his sitting position and held out his hand to Alice. "Now, let's go investigate this alcohol situation," he beamed.
Alice responded with the same smile and took his hand as he pulled her up.
By accident, James pulled Alice a little too close to him.
Alice blushed. "Whoops," she said quietly.
James stepped back and chuckled. "Sorry about that," he apologized.
Alice shrugged.
They were both still, and James looked down at his feet.
"I really don't mean to flirt, these things happen by accident and I know not to flirt because we just met...."
He looked back up at Alice with guilt in his face.
Alice smiled her famous smile. "It's really okay, trust me. I did those things too and I still do them," Alice laughed guiltily, placing her hand on the back of her neck.
"Okay. That makes me feel a bit better," James giggled.
They ran down the hill to see if Adam was coming back.