One Balloon At a Time

Chapter One

Authors Note:
All editing is done by this sweet lady :] sweet_symphonies .

~*~*~

My mother always told me that if I ever feel upset or have the need to let my feelings out, I should blow up a balloon, write down what I'm feeling on it, and let it go outside. If I had a feeling that haunted me inside, like I'm going crazy or jealousy, then I should pop that balloon. I can say that I haven't come across a feeling so harsh and infuriating enough to pop the balloon. As for letting it go, I've done it many times before and it does make me feel a lot lighter inside.

"Jennifer, what's with the frowning?" my dad asked glancing quickly at me then back onto the road. "Cheer up this is a big day for all three of us." I hadn't realized I was frowning at first, I guess I was just lost in my own thoughts.

Mom, please come back.

He let out a quiet sigh. "Listen kiddo, I know it's a tough time for you now but we have to move on. She'll always be watching down at us." I sense a bit of pity in his voice while he tries to crack a smile to make me feel better. Nothing will make me feel better. Not since I lost the most important person of my life to murder.

Since my mom passed away four months ago, we had to move. By we, I mean my dad, my younger sister, Lori, and I. This wasn't a very exciting day. I miss my home back in Denver, I was a born and raised spoilt little child there. Since we couldn't afford to live in the house anymore, we needed to move, but along the way, my father decided that we should move someplace different and give ourselves a fresh start. Idaho was his ideal choice.

"I know. It's just so...different. A sudden change for me that's all." I say as I keep my head against the window, looking out onto the bare, empty roads.

"Dad? How much longer is the car ride going to take exactly?" Lori asks from the backseat. She looks uncomfortable.

"Just about another fourty five minutes, why?"

"I needa go to the ladies' room. Do you think we can pull over quickly? Or else I'm going to go here," she sways side to side, as it would help.

"Pull over!" I practically scream. When Lori says she will end up peeing in the car, she's not joking. I don't know how I'd be able to survive in the car for another forty five minutes with the smell.

"Okay okay! Calm down, I'm pulling over," he yells back. Immediately he pulls over nearby a tree and Lori runs out of the car, before he can stop the car completely.

There was an awkward moment of silence, but my dad thankfully had to break it.

"You know," he begins. "Mom was strong and brave when she fought for her life that day." he says while looking out onto the road, crossing his arms, and cracking a smile.

"I know, and she still is. In my mind she still is." I say back thinking about mom and her beautiful smile, which causes me to break a tear.

I sigh. "So where is this house located exactly? Near the city, out to the mountains or what?" I wanted to change the subject and just clear my mind for a while, but no of course not. He has to bring mom up every time we're alone since talking about it in front of Lori makes her cry her eyes out. 9 year olds, who can't blame 'em?

"By the mountains of course. This is Idaho Jennifer, it's all nature." he responded back.

"What about school? What school am I attending?"

"Striback high school. Your starting on Monday and we'll get more supplies this weekend," he said leaning his head back, while staring at the roof of the car.