Letter to Mom

Chapter 6- Sixteen

"Follow your heart to find your home."

~April that year~

It was a beautiful Saturday morning; a time to welcome the earth's warm rays, to abide through a series of chilled air, and a chance to sweep away at nature's door. Yet, for Farah James, it presented a routine to neglect the wonder of the outside world and rather return to being extremely cranky. She hit her hands on the dining room chair, groaning in agonizing frustration. Of all the Saturday mornings she's ever lived through, this one had to be the worst. She tilted her head at the laptop screen, annoyed that the internet did not have the answer that she was looking for.

Her father raised his eyebrow, concerned at his daughter's outward irritation. She had a knack for spilling over on rare occasions; especially when the internet was meshed in her problems. He scooped the potatoes from the cutting board, tossing them into the frying pan. What was it with kids and the internet?

"You know, google doesn't have the answers for everything." He smirked, adding a dash of salt in the frying pan. Perfect fried potatoes required perfect perfect precision.

Farah curled her lips, attempting to hide the disappointment of his statement. His dad jokes were easily becoming casual statements where he laughed at the end. Maybe these were actual dad jokes then.

"Dad, I am in a serious crisis right now so I would appreciate your total support in this." Her eyes returned to the screen, her hands fully clasped on the mouse.

His eyes widened as he placed his hand on his mouth. Raising his other hand slowly, he sarcastically announced, "Oh no dear, I want to help."

She stared at him, beads of displeasure pouring through her body. In hindsight, she would have been annoyed at him but as the cool whip of fried potatoes rummaged through the house, Farah easily decided that the love of food would win her heart.

"I need you to be positive with me during my situation right now. I have to figure this out today." she breathed slowly, allowing her brain to welcome peace for a short while.

Her father laughed softly, breaking three eggs to fry. Fried potatoes and fried eggs, what a king's meal. Nodding in agreement, he enquired, "I'll agree once you tell me what all of this is about."

She groaned, easily forgetting that by using his help, he would want to know what she was doing. Great. This day was shaping up to be amazing.

"I just, I just am looking at career options, that's all." If she could avoid eye contact, then maybe things would not be as awkward as it would probably be.

He turned to her immediately, shocked at her words. His daughter was sixteen years old, all of this pressure on finding a career, so soon in her life? Analysing her composure, he wiped his hands with a towel, moving towards her. Farah had kept checking her phone every few minutes, biting her fingernails, as if she were extremely nervous.

"Farah dear," he said sweetly, attempting to make her feel as comfortable as he possibly could, "You're a high school sophomore. Why on earth are you frustrating your head over career choices?"

She gulped, rubbing her neck wearily. Trying to come up with a plausible excuse to deter him from further questioning her would be too risky, but Farah still believed that she could convince him.

"Well you see, I need to have some idea with what want to do with my life, so I need to figure it out now." She smiled foolishly, it were as if she almost convinced herself as well.

He tilted his head, walking back to the stove to plate the delicious eggs that he fried in two separate plates. The potatoes were almost done.

"Okay, you do realise you won't figure it out in one minute right? This isn't a decision you should be rushing." He turned the potatoes with his spoon, placing them on the plates as well. Breakfast was finally served, maybe some advice would be soon.