This is How I Disappear

Chapter Three: Teenage Runaways

          "So...? How are you liking Monkshood so far? Do you like Mrs. Loret?"

          It had only taken me a couple of hours to unpack all of my belongings, and put them away in their appropriate places. Now I was on the phone with my excited mother who was eagerly asking me questions before I could even say 'hello', and let her know I was safe and settled into my new home. 

          "It's very small, but beautiful," I answered, glancing out my large bedroom window at the impressive pine forest that stood proudly just right outside. As I stared out at it, I couldn't help but wonder what laid just beyond those trees. I quickly realized I had drifted off, and pulled my gaze away from the woods, so that I could focus on the conversation with my mother. "And it's actually Ms. Loret. She made that very clear right off the bat."

          "Ah... so she's a bit rough around the edges, huh?" My mother asked. "Well don't let that discourage you. I'm sure she'll soften up the more she gets to know you. She's been alone for so many years. That's bound to make a person a little cold."

          I know, I know," I replied. "I'm not worried about it. I was just a bit taken aback, is all." 

          I glanced over at the alarm clock I had brought from home, and set up on the nightstand that sat to the right of my new bed. It was a little over 5 o'clock, and I wondered if Ms. Loret would be making dinner soon. 

          "Well, I just wanted to call you, and let you know I was okay," I told my mom. 

          "Thank you, sweetheart. I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. Don't forget about your father and I! We want to hear about everything!"

          I smiled at my mom's joking plea. "I won't," I reassured her. 

          "Oh, and good luck with your interview tomorrow!"

          "Thank you, mom. I love you."

          "I love you too."

          I hung up the phone, and made my way out of my room, and down the stairs. When I got to the bottom, I found Ms. Loret sitting in her arm chair in the living room. She was watching the local news which was reporting a car accident that was blocking traffic just outside of the Seattle area. Even though the accident wasn't in Monkshood, and she was not going to be driving again tonight, Ms. Loret seemed to be very absorbed with the story playing out on screen. 

          "I'm sorry to interrupt," I said as I stepped into the living room. 

          Ms. Loret glanced at me for a brief second before turning back towards the television. "I forgot for a moment that you were living here," she commented. "What is it?"

          I ignored the harshness of her words, and asked, "I was wondering if you had any plans for dinner?" 

          The news was interrupted then by a commercial for a used car dealership, and Ms. Loret finally turned her full attention to me. "You probably haven't had anything to eat since before you left this morning, huh? Well I'm afraid I don't cook. I've never been good at it, so I usually go out for my meals. If you want to eat, you'll have to cook for yourself."

          I took a deep breath, and glanced into the kitchen. 

          "Have you been out to eat tonight?" I asked.

          "No," Ms. Loret replied.

          "Do you mind if I use your kitchen?" I asked, a bit skeptical that the callous woman would actually allow me to rummage through her pantry and fridge for food.