Shattered

-2-

My eyes flutter open as I wake up the morning after my parents arrival back home. Shit, I check the time on my phone, 10:30 a.m. only thirty minutes until a late breakfast with my mom and dad.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

I run upstairs almost slipping on the gloriously waxed cherry wood stairs up to my room. I quickly throw on a pale blue cap sleeve dress that is slim fitting but very modest. I find a classic pair of nude heels while quickly pulling my phone off the charger.

After a quick 10 minute dry-shampoo and straightener miracle, my hair is in order and I'm practically ready. Following a spritz of Marc Jacob's Daisy perfume, I slip on a sweater and wristlet since it is still April and a bit nippy in Chicago and run to my car with only 4 minutes to make it to the country club. Thankfully, our gated residence is only 5 minutes away, tops.

I hop into my 2014 Mercedes hybrid, which was my overly expensive 16th birthday present from my parents. Not delivered by them personally of course. Speeding my way to the club praying no one will pull me over, I prayed I would make it in time.

I make it at 11:01, doing my best to run out of my car practically tossing my keys at the valet. As I spot my parents at their table, my mother stands up to greet me while I shuffle over.

"Morning sweetheart," she says placing kisses on both my cheeks, "That's quite a lovely color on you." she speaks with a smile plastered onto her botox face.

"Thanks..." I mumble and take a seat across from my parents.

"Morning honey." my father smiles. I smile back and begin to look at the menu even though I get the same thing every time my parents insist on a 'we're back for about a week so let's make the best of it' breakfast.

"Coffee anyone?" our regular hostess Jackie politely asks.

"Oh none for me." my mother waves her hand and my father shakes his head as well.

"I'll take some please," I say "thanks." I smile and Jackie nods

"I'll be back in a few with that, and to take your orders Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Ms. Taryn." Jackie brightly smiles at us and walks away from our table. I hate their use of proper titles here. As well as the fact that they know our names, I know its probably policy or in their training, but I find it creepy that a complete stranger knows exactly who I am.

"Coffee? When did that start Taryn?" My mother questions with a trace of judgment in her tone. "I heard that coffee not only stains your teeth but puts you at a higher risk for cancer." my mother scoffs.

"Since two years ago, and the sun puts you at a higher risk for cancer but you don't stay inside all day do you?" I snap back.

"Well," my mother raises her eyebrows "All I'm saying is that you should watch your diet."

My weight has to do with her argument about coffee, but I'm pretty sure my mom just called me fat. I roll my eyes at the fact that, per usual, my father has his face too far in his phone to even notice.

"Anyways, I think now is no better time than ever to talk about something coming up right Dave?" My mom is quick to change the subject

"huh?" My dad looks up, "Oh right, well why don't you tell her Hon." he says while sliding his phone into his pocket.

"Well Taryn, I'll just come right out and say it. We are going to South Carolina!"

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "Cool?" I question. It isn't anything new my parents are going away why are they making such a big deal.

"Why aren't you surprised? Did Nadine tell you about the move? I never really did trust that woman with anything..." My mother starts to go off.

"Wait, wait, wait," I speak up, "Move?" I say the word as if it's foreign to me.

"Why yes, the new house is absolutely brilliant you'll love it. A little larger than the ours now, but the neighborhood is gorgeous. Horse ranches, family atmosphere it's quite extravagant." My father says.

If I would have been eating or drinking anything it would surely be all over the table at this point, since my jaw is basically on the table as it is.

"We're moving!" I shout still in shock and unable to move.

"Why yes, our headquarters just isn't working in the big city as crazy as this may sound. Plus, if we move it to the east coast, your father and I will be able to be home twice as much as usual, to be as a family." My mother explains their 'big news' to me. It suddenly all sinks in and I can react.

"Okay, okay great." I say, finally managing to stand up.

I don't have much here in Chicago, but I do have friends, our family, my entire life and all I've ever known is here. I can't just leave that!

"Now where are you going we need to discuss this, we are leaving next Wednesday of course." My mother informs me and I almost topple over at this information steadying myself with a chair.

"I need to get out of here," I whisper to myself.

Grabbing my phone, I quickly make my way to the exit just as fast as I arrived ignoring my parents pleas behind me. Once my car is pulling up I make a hasty get away unsure not only where my car is headed but my future now that I'm sure it's not in Chicago.