Big Tree Village

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“I warned you,” my mother huffed throwing my clothes in to a leather suitcase. I sat on my pink bed, still taking in what just happened. Artie fought for me to stay, but Peter wouldn’t give in. He wanted to get rid of Julia and finding me was the only way. Now here I am, watching my mother pack my things. We would drive to a hotel and stay until we could get plane tickets to Phoenix. My stomach twisted as Oinkers oinked wildly from his pen. I would have to leave him here, with Peter. I felt tears building up in my eyes. “Don’t play that game,” she ordered slapping my thigh; hard, “grow up! It’s a pig for God sake! I’ll have it killed!” She screeched pulling more and more clothes from my closet and drawers. “You could help you know.” She grumbled. The tears were warm, rolling down my cheeks. It’s crazy to think only yesterday I wanted to leave; but now I know Artie. A sweet sincere guy who has loved and been loved, a good friend and just pure amazing in so many ways. I began sobbing harder just thinking of Artie having to deal with Bryan alone, and Oinkers probably being forgotten. “SHUT UP ZOEY!” My mother shouted her face flushed, she was furious. “You don’t even know what you’re doing to me,” she sighed and zipped up the luggage, “or yourself. Why can’t you be a good girl? I raised you right!” She yelled dragging the luggage down the hall, the wheels scratching the hardwood. “Say goodbye to your attic, and Big Tree Village.”

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“At a hotel somewhere, I don’t know,” I say to Demona on my phone walking down the hallway of the hotel. My mother was in our room, researching flights ASAP.

“Oh my god, this is fucked up.” Demona grumbles. I could hear Rocki in the background, his voice low. “I mean maybe I could do that,” Demona whispers to him. I bit my lip and started walking in circles around the gold carpet. “Zoey,” Demona sighs, “maybe we could plan something. Like I could come get you.” She offered. A woman in pink flip-flops and a purple plaid bikini was walking down the hall, her shoes squeaking and her fat hanging over her bottom piece. She smiled at me and sighed.

“The pool is fantastic!” She yelled giggling. I nodded and waited until I couldn’t hear her flip-flops any more before speaking.

“Yeah, good idea. I cannot leave, I can’t. I have a life there now, and I can’t just pick up and leave it.” I exclaimed. She muttered something to Rocki and sighed.

“One minute boo, there is a customer…Hello welcome to Get Inked. How can I help you?” She put the phone down and my ears strained to hear the rest. I knelt against the wall and picked at my chipped fingernail. After about ten minutes she returned. “Right,” she sighed, “so where are you?” I looked around and saw the woman, walking back, now in slippers and a robe. She smiled.

“Uhm, excuse me miss.” I said politely. Her eyes widened.

“Why yes darling?” She said grinning.

“What is the name and address of this hotel?” I said pointing at my phone.

“Are you inviting a boy here?” She wondered, my face flushed.

“No, a friend needs to pick me up. I’m visiting.” I said sighing. She nodded.

“It’s a family owned one, it’s fun something. I don’t know the address.” She shrugged and continued walking, her robe dragging along the floor. I rolled my eyes and pulled my phone to my ear.

“Fun something?”

“Fun a ton!” Demona shrieked. “That place is amazing, it has really great rooms and the pool,” she sighed, “amazing. I’ll be there in an hour. Meet me in the lobby.” Demona grumbles.

“Right,” I sighed, “okay. Bye, thanks a lot.”

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“I love you so much,” I said hugging Demona. She smelled like beer and smoke. I coughed and stepped back. She was wearing pajamas and had a cigarette pack in the pocket of her plaid pants. She smiled and kissed my cheek.

“I love you too, Zoey.” She murmured as she turned around, towards the spinning doors. The lobby was silent as I pulled my luggage towards the door. I was escaping my mother, once again. Outside the sun was just setting and I was almost relieved… when the white jeep wrangler pulled up in front of us. I looked over at Demona, shocked. “You need closure,” she sighed, “I’ll be taking a puff.” She walked towards the designated smoking area and sat on the bench. The window slid open; and then I was staring in to Chance’s soft blue eyes. He smiled and ushered me to come inside.

“Uhm,” I said biting my lip, “Chance, I’ve moved on.” I tried to smile but I felt my heart burning inside. Those words were lies, I still loved him. I’ll always love him, but he is with Sarah. He winced and chuckled quietly.

“Just come on in,” I shook my head, “I need to tell you something.” He whispered. I looked over at Demona; she was on her phone, smoke leaking out of her mouth. I turned to face him.

“No Chance.” I said too harshly. He sighed deeply.

“Zoey please!” Chance shrieked. I looked at him; I couldn’t just go in there. Re-live the rejection and heartbreak. I backed away, slowly.

“Chance, I’m done.”

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Finally I was forced in to the back, Chance and Demona in the front debating whether or not they should take me home.

“She could always stay with Rocki and me.” Demona said flicking her cigarette out the window. Chance snickered.

“She wouldn’t enjoy that,” Chance said as if I wasn’t right behind him. I rolled my eyes.

“I know where I want to go,” I interrupted. Chance was staring at the mirror which had my reflection in it. “Arties’.”