Silence Beyond Words

Same Old Ways

Being the new kid has never been easy no matter where you are. Norma Calhoun knew that. It wasn't easy the first time nor the tenth time either. Eating breakfast and lunch alone was her specialty.

Making friends and being social was not an option. You learn these things when it's crucial that you shield yourself against getting even more damaged. Packing your things yearly didn't sound as exciting as her mom made it out to be in the beginning. It was torture. It was nothing but pure torture.

Deep down Norma yearns this would be the last time they relocate thanks to her mother's wicked and life-ruining job. Her career as a Construction and Building Manager had Norma being yanked back and forth for years. She frequently portrayed herself as a rag doll. One that was being manipulated by her mother to her own demands and hopeful future intentions. They never stay in one place for more than twelve months at a time.

Francine Calhoun was successful. No doubt about that. Being a woman in a men's world demanded more exertion and overcompensation than most jobs. Norma knows how challenging it's been for her mother and how hard she strived to obtain the status she has today.

Norma thinks back on the very first day she stepped foot into White Pine Bay. How wretched and isolated it was. Almost as lonely as her. It was nothing compared to her old town in San Francisco. Oregon's ambiance was dull and cold. A vibrant but awful combination. The air dense and overwhelming. The sky hazy and the sun nowhere to be found.

How is it possible to go from sunny San Francisco to... this?

"You know I have no control over this, Louise," her mother had said. She hates when she calls her by her middle name. Her mother's tone always sharp but scolding.

"I just want to stay in one place for a change, ma," Norma whined. Fran lifts her gaze over her reading glasses, locking eyes with her daughter.

"Maybe this one is it, honey," she had stated, going back to her paperwork. "Maybe this one is it."

They both strongly aspire to stay and settle warmly into a cozy and gracious house they'll learn to call home.

"Where the hell is White Pine Bay anyway?" Norma had asked as she fixed her glasses. Her pointer finger and thumb grazing the metal of her glasses, adjusting their position. Her frail body inclining innocently against the door frame of her mother's studio, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Language," her mother scolded curtly without raising her gaze. Her eyes browsed gracefully the computer in front of her. "Right above us. Oregon," she finally responded.

But as Norma scans her outfit for her first day of Senior year on her full-length mirror, she doubts that White Pine Bay would be it. This town seemed outdated and monotonous. Not that she was very social herself, that was evident, but she really hopes that they won't force her mom to stay permanently at a place like this.

Although she doesn't have the best attitude about the circumstances, she tries her best not to complain too much. Nevertheless, this was her job, and her mother had no control over it. What Vincent says, goes. He's Francine's boss. A millionaire that moves them around the states as he pleases and what Norma hates the most is that her mother is not allowed to say no.

"Honey! Breakfast is ready!" her mom magically brings her back to earth. She takes a glance at the digital clock settled on her nightstand. 7:34 am. She has a little over thirty minutes to get to school. She rolls her eyes at her mother's perpetually impatience.

"I'll be down in a second!" she yells back.

Norma takes one last judgmental glimpse at herself. Khaki jeans. White polo. An olive green cardigan and black flats. Her attire screaming nerd in every form under the sun.