In Another Life

1. Another Hot Summer

Another hot summer in South Carolina started. Amlyne and her sister Carlee were already in an argument about who would hang the laundry to dry. Carlee was the annoying little sister who was best at playing kiss ass and being a tattle tale. Amlyne was the older, studious sister who just tried to fly under the radar. That year at school had not been fun for Amlyne. First of all, she started her period with no prior education about what was happening and no preparation. At least it was just spotting that first time and she made it home before anything bad happened only to find her mother, Millie, lived in the dark ages and still used belted pads by Kotex. UGH. Carlee found glee in her sister's misery. Amlyne came to hate that time of the month. The spotting soon gave way to floods of clots and horrible pain. Then, there were the mood swings, hot flashes, and general sick feeling. Carlee made sure to make every living moment misery during that time, insisting on Amlyne going outside in the heat to hang laundry, dusting the furniture, and doing the sweeping. 

Hopefully, this summer would be better. They were getting new neighbors across the street. Amlyne hoped they had a girl her age. There was a big moving truck parked in the driveway. Amlyne when to the mail box that afternoon to get the mail. She saw a woman and a man on the porch talking, but no kids. Suddenly, she heard a boy yelling, "Make way loser! Coming in for a landing." A fat, blonde boy came flying by on a bike almost hitting  Amlyne. She gasped as she stepped back. The kid slid his bike in sideways on the new neighbor's driveway. Uh oh, she thought. THAT must be the new neighbor, an older boy. 

Amlyne headed to the house and told Carlee, "Guess the new neighbors are here. Carlee jumped around and squealed, "Did you see them? Are there kids? Are there girls? What do they look like? Are they my age? Do you think they want to play?" Amlyne just shrugged her shoulders and went to her room. She grabbed a book she was working on for summer reading and flipped it open, "Heart of Darkness." Ugh, she hated this book. It was soooo  boring. She grabbed her reading journal and scribbled a few thoughts, then, slammed the book shut. She lay there staring at the ceiling. It was so hot. She felt like she would melt right then and there. She soon drifted off to sleep only to be awaken by her mother coming home from work.

Millie worked at the local grocery store, just like she had done for more than 20 years. It wasn't a glamorous job, but it paid the bills. She came in and Carlee started in on her. "Mom, the new neighbors are here. Amlyne saw them, but she won't tell me anything. She slept until 9 this morning and didn't hang the clothes out until exactly 9:17. Then, she ate breakfast, but she didn't wash her plate. Mom, I am waiting on her to bring the clothes in so I can fold them for her to put away. Mom,Mom, Amlyne didn't dust the furniture today......" and on and on, just like every other day. 

Millie came down the hall and sighed. She told Carlee to get the clothes in before her father got home and Amlyne would fold and put up. Carlee tried to protest, but stopped when Millie gave her The LOOK. As she walked past the girls' room Amlyne was awake and sitting on the bed. "Hey, mama. I was doing my summer reading." Millie said, "Ok, now go help your sister before she had a seizure." Amlyne got up and headed outside to bring in laundry. 

Millie had changed clothes and was at the kitchen sink. Amlyne came up behind her and said, "new neighbors are here. They have an obnoxious boy who almost ran over me with his bike." Millie replied," I guess you didn't tell you sister about that. Did you? Well, I guess we should go over after supper and introduce ourselves." Amlyne groaned and headed back to folding laundry. Well, maybe the boy was just visiting or something. Guess they would have to find out.