Teenage Antichrist Book One: A Journey of a Sister's Hatred 1991-1992

Chapter Forty-Four: A Stranger Makes His First Move

When Natalie thought of the idea of another trip up the coast she imagined that John would be joining Michelle and herself. Only now that Michelle had made it very clear that she didn't want him to come it presented a brand new problem. How they were going to get there. There was only one option available to Natalie and it was an option she didn't like. The only suitable time she could think of to bring the subject up was during dinner. As she and her parents sat the dining room table she felt very nervous.

"Mum, Dad, I have something very important to talk to you about," Natalie said.

Mrs. Ray and Mr. Ray didn't like the sound of that one bit.

"This better not be about your nephews," Mr. Ray warned.

"No, it's not about them," Natalie said quickly. "It's about Michelle,"

"What about Michelle?" Mrs. Ray asked both curiously and suspiciously.

"Michelle has been really sad about Daniel's death and the loss of her baby," Natalie said. "So I suggested that we go surfing again at Maroochydore,"

"That sounds like a good idea," Mrs. Ray said. "When do you, Michelle and John want to do this?"

"John's not coming," Natalie said. "So we'll need you to take us,"

Mrs. Ray frowned a little as she didn't like the idea of driving them up the coast.

"Why can't John go?" Mrs. Ray asked.

"Michelle and John aren't really talking right now," Natalie said. "So can you take us?"

Mrs. Ray didn't say anything as she thought about it for a moment.

"I'm not free this weekend but I'm free the weekend after," Mrs. Ray said. "Now when we get there we'll stay for two hours but that's it. Is that understood?"

Natalie hated the idea of only staying there for only two hours but since she knew her mother couldn't be argued with she nodded her agreement.

*****

At home, Michelle was getting ready for dinner and was too nervous to be sitting down. So she paced around her bedroom until Mrs. Slater knocked on her door.

"It's me," Mrs. Slater said. "Can you open the door?"

She quickly walked to the door and opened it. As Mrs. Slater entered the room she couldn't help but notice the nervous expression on her face.

"Have you got something on your mind?" Mrs. Slater asked.

"Yeah, I do," Michelle replied. "Natalie's invited me to go surfing with her up the coast, and I'd really like to go,"

"Have you talked to John about this?"

"No, because he's not invited. Can I please go?"

"It would be nicer if John could go with you,"

"No, it wouldn't be. I just want it to be me and Natalie,"

"So if John's not invited how are you going to get there?"

"Natalie's mother will take us,"

Mrs. Slater didn't like the sound of that as she didn't like Mrs. Ray that much.

"I'd feel a lot better if John could go with you," Mrs. Slater said.

"Mum!" Michelle said aggressively. "Not everything is about John and I just want a girls day out. Can't you understand that?"

Mrs. Slater really wanted her to forgive John but she could also understand her need for a day out with her best friend.

"Yes, I can understand," she said. "But I want to take you up,"