Amelia had everything- family, friends, a promising future- the sky was the limit. But just like that everything was taken from her. One moment she's planning her high school graduation party the next she's laying on a therapist's couch. It was as i...
The traffic driving to Uncle Chris and Aunt Regina's was light for a Saturday morning, considering the entire state of Virginia usually headed straight for the beach. According to the radio we were in for another scorching hot day in the mid to high nineties, however we were expected to have heavy rain showers starting tonight until the end of the weekend.
I hugged Aralyn goodbye as the two of us got in our cars and headed home. Turns out I wasn't the only person dreading the idea of leaving campus. With a grimace on her face, Aralyn threw her stuff in her light blue Honda Civic and got behind the wheel in a huff.
"I tell ya, the only reason I'm going back there is because of Ella," she explained. If it weren't for that little girl, Aralyn would have moved out years ago. Come to think of it, there was a time where she was seriously considering moving out of her mother's house and into mine.
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My mother was all ready to set her up in the guestroom, only something came up that convinced her to stay with her mother. She was always aware of Aralyn's discordant relationship between her and her mom.
Long before high school, our house was a haven for her. One where she could unwind and escape the abusive behavior from her mother. Aralyn had spent more nights over than I care to count, but none of it mattered because she was always treated like another family member. Holidays, birthdays, and every change of the season- she was a part of it all like another sister.
I wanted her to think positively. "Just think you're going home to Ella."
Her scowl lightened. "I'll call you when I get home."
. . . .
Chris and Regina's home was less than ten minutes away once I pulled off at my exit. Now, I was currently driving through the backroads of Chesterfield where I was able to take in all my familiar surroundings. Portage Creek was a small town that originally had one food market, an old movie theater, and two elementary schools. But as time went on more stores came along, however the town kept its classic charm with family owned businesses.
The roads were small and lined with gorgeous pine trees. Their house sat at the end of a large cul de sac with the same country rustic exterior that beckoned you to come in. Four large bedrooms, a gorgeous stone fireplace, and an enormous wrap-around porch.
It was a life sized doll house with a long walkway that was lit with miniature lanterns. If there was one thing Regina could do exceptionally well it was interior design, because the inside of the place was just as breathtaking as the outside.
I parked my car in the driveway and pulled my suitcase out of the trunk. I hadn't even made it to the door when a young girl came rushing out.
"Amelia!" Lily wrapped her arms around me with excitement as her two braids whipped around her shoulders.
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