Stormy Skies (On Hold)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Thursday, July 2nd

Willow

            Today my mom is dragging Rose and me down to the neighbor’s houses to introduce ourselves. The noisy neighbors who already have a bunch of friends to hang out with and don’t have room for new ones, that’s who we’re meeting. Should be fun.

            We walk up to the door of one of the houses, and my mom rings the doorbell. A woman with brown curly hair opens up.

            “Hello!” she says brightly.

            “Hi, I’m Tracy, and these are my two daughters, Willow and Rose. We just moved in a few houses down,” my mother says. The woman smiles.

            “Oh how wonderful! Here, come in, come in! It’s dreadfully hot today, isn’t it? Where have you moved in from? I’m Lisa, by the way,” the excitable lady says.

            “We’re from north-western Pennsylvania. My husband was killed in the war, and I thought it might be best to create a fresh start for my girls away from home,” my mom says with a trace of sadness in her voice.

            “Oh, my gosh! I am so sorry! We are here for you Tracy, we really are. My girls I’m sure will welcome both Willow and little Rose. Where are my girls now? Well, they’re probably outside or at my good friend’s house, right next door. I’ll have to introduce you to her as well. She has girls too. In fact, we’ve both recently adopted several teenage girls into our families. They are so wonderful and kind. Willow will just love them! Oh dear, I think I’ve been talking a bit too much. And I’ve been a terrible hostess! Would you like something to eat? Or a drink? We have Coke, or water, or anything really! Why don’t you come into the kitchen with me and we’ll see what I have?” Lisa says. It seems as if she says it all in one breath. That woman is very talkative.

            “Well, actually, I would like to talk about something with you, if you don’t mind. It’s rather important. And yes, water will do, thank you,” my mother says to Lisa the hyper hostess. She turns to us. “Girls, stay here and stay out of trouble, understand?”

            “Yes Mommy!” Rose says. I merely nod.

            Once they leave the room, I sit down on a bright blue and pink couch. It reminds me of the lime green sofa our other neighbor gave us. Both are really ugly.

            They have a little pink flower in a small pot on their coffee table. It looks like they’ve forgotten to water it.

            Help me, it’s so hot...

            It’s so hot in here I’m hearing plants speak to me. The air is stale and disgusting. Don’t these people have air conditioning? I feel something coming out of the vent above the door but it’s just warm air.

            “Lisa, I’m going out for a bit. Just down to the park, not far, don’t send anyone looking for me because I’m fine- oh.” Suddenly and noisily an extraordinarily pretty girl steps into the room.

            Whoa. I just had an extreme case of déjà vu.

            I stare at the girl, not knowing what to do. Of course, Rose knows what to do.

            “Hi! I’m Rose! What’s your name?” she says, running up to the girl excitedly.

            “Um, I’m Adrianna. Who are you guys?” she asks, looking towards me. Rose answers.