Sticks and Stones

The Arrival

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CHAPTER 3

I looked out the window, rubbing my eyes trying to get them to focus. There were palm trees everywhere and I could see the ocean. I rolled down my window and could feel the breeze, getting cooled from the water. It was still kinda hot. The beach was already busy and bustling with people either running along where the sand meets the surf, or they were in the water riding the waves. I also noticed families, children laughing, splashing and building sandcastles. They looked so carefree and alive. I rolled my window back up, the smell of summer still lingered in the car.

We were getting even more nervous the closer we got to home. I couldn't help the flutters of excitement that were building up inside of me. Seeing the happiness and hearing the laughter of the children on the beach made me sad in a way, yet hopeful.

"It will be a good life here Bails, I feel it!" so it was infecting him too.

"I will try to believe that Chase. I want that to be true" I stated.

"I told you both, I promised remember? You know I keep my promises. If things are the same, we can't do it anymore. I don't care if we have to live in a cardboard box and eat ramen noodles. Well, I can do better than cardboard! Seriously, we have to be careful. We have to find a way leave safely, we would have to vanish."

We all know he won't let us leave. That's the problem. Mom just wants us safe and a stupid piece of paper does nothing to protect us.

We were only about 10 to 15 minutes from the beach. I am happy about that! My mom turned onto the road and I noticed the name, it was our street. Freedom Avenue. I had to laugh at the irony.

I saw our house right away. The moving van was pulling out, I guess they were done. Jack had been staying in a hotel for the last two weeks, paid for by his company. He works for some big sports agency, so he works with pro ball players, hockey, soccer, you name it. He didn't want to stay in the house without furniture or with it in disarray. I was hoping he wasn't here, but I saw his silver Mercedes sports car and my hope was dashed.

I looked up at the two story Georgian style home in front of me as we pulled in the drive. It was quite large and had a double door entry, red in color. The rest of the home was a creamy beige. There were two tall chimneys, one in the front and one in the back. My favorite part was the wrap around porch. It wrapped around both sides and had very wide stairs leading up to it. It also had two balconys, one above the right side of the porch and another on the left. From the front, with the columns the way they were, it looked like a smaller version of the White House. I was reminded of the homes in Atlanta. The kind I always wanted, including the red rocking chairs, porch swing and matching tables.

"Wow, mom! You did a fantastic job finding this home! It's perfect, beautiful!" I exclaimed.

"Thanks Bailey, I think so too. Hope it gives us the fresh start we need. I did have help from our lovely neighbor." she pointed at the much larger home to the right of ours. We didn't have anyone to the left.

We all got out of the car. I had to stretch a bit, being cramped in a car for several days is no fun. Climbing the steps to the front door, I took a deep breath and held it. Jack would be on the other side. I reached out and gripped the brass handle, looking over my shoulder to make sure my backup was there. Chase was right behind me and mom was directly behind him. I slowly pushed open the door and exhaled.

The first words out of his mouth after not seeing his family for two whole weeks were "Sarina, you're late!"

My mom inhaled deeply "I'm sorry Jack. There was traffic."