Begin Again (Carlos Pena)

2 - Beginnings

Chapter 2

Twelve years later

Andy's POV

So you're probably wondering what happened in the last twelve years, right? My paternal grandparents gained full custody of me. You'd think they'd treat their orphan grandchild like their most prized possession. Especially after my parents died, well it's actually the other way around. They treated me like some sort of servant, to be waiting on their hand and foot. I guess it's because I remind them so much of my mother, considering they despised her. I'd actually prefer staying with my maternal side, but no such luck. I'd rarely see my aunt Sophia, or Leo I actually missed my annoying cousin Martin, as crazy as that sounds

My grandpa Joe Sr., was a farmer making me work at his ranch, whenever I got out of school.

School, it was the only place I could escape my cruel reality. Especially photography class, I loved snapping a picture of something totally cool, and different, unique. I had earned money, doing a little this and that working in the school's cafeteria, taking pictures with disposable cameras then selling them, for a reasonable price. I earned enough money to buy myself a real camera, a professional one. Behind my grandparents back of course, they'd kill me if they found out I spent the money on what they call 'useless', rather than giving it to them.

In school I was the quiet one, the one who was made fun of because I didn't have parents. I didn't let it affect me either way, ignoring their stupid remarks.

I didn't finish high school, dropping out at the age of fifteen. Reason?

I ran away.

I left my grandparents house, packing only the money I had saved which was one thousand dollars, my camera, and a backpack containing a few spare changes of clothes. I wasn't going to be inconsiderate with them, so I wrote them a goodbye note;

"Dear momma & poppa,

By the time you read this you might not find me anymore. I just want to thank you for the time you guys took me in. I felt like it was my time to go and leave, don't worry about me, I'll be okay. I love you guys, and I hope someday I'll be able to see you guys. So again, thanks and don't worry I'll be fine.

- Yours Truly,

Andrea, ox"

　

I bet that when they see that note, they'll make a party, celebrating my departure. The day I left was a cold night, you could see my breath in the cold thickness. All I had on were a thin jacket, a gray long sleeve shirt, denim jeans, and my old worn out converse sneakers, and my mom's necklace, I never left home without it. It was the only thing I had left of her, and daddy, so as you know it's really special to me.

***

After the funeral I spent two weeks with aunt Sophia, and Leo, they took me to my old home. As we arrived, I felt an instant turn of stomach, this house held many memories, happy ones, but too painful to remember. Leo opened the door, and I entered, they stayed at the front door, everything was left the same, moms woven warm quilt neatly folded over the couch, used when daddy and I fell asleep on the couch while watching a movie, and mom would throw it over us. The portrait of the three of us, over the love seat, mom liked cleanliness, so everything was put in place, I walked into the kitchen, the fridge covered with my drawings, or grades.

I went over to their bedroom, I quickly turned to see their picture on the dresser, the one of their wedding day. Mother looked so beautiful, her hair in an updo, done so elegantly with a sheer veil on it. Her dress, pearly white, strapless with a thick lavender silk belt tied to her midriff with a bow on the back. That's where daddy and I got the idea of the color of the necklace. Then daddy, he looked so happy, so handsome he had his arms around mothers waist, kissing her temple, mother looking down to the patch of grass, like if they were the only ones there, ignoring the photographer that had taken the picture. I traced the sliver, diamond studded frame just like mom did when she got into an argument with daddy. But those arguments lasted very shortly, soon turning into a pool filled with, "I'm Sorry's" and "I Love You's". I looked around the room, I headed to the closet, opening it and my moms scent greeted me, I took a deep breath, wanting to reminisce my mom, closing my eyes pretending she and daddy had never left. Wanting to imagine that she was right next to me, but when I opened my eyes it was all in my head.