Frozen Love

In the City

So there is this feeling... This feeling that you get... An ice cold feeling penetrating every pore of your body, this feeling that makes all time stop and reflect on how I was going to die...

Three Days Earlier…

“Michael! Paulina! Can you guys come down here for a minute? Your dad and I need to talk to you guys about something.” Mom’s voice sang from down stairs.

Rolling my eyes I set my book down next to my pillow and hopped off my bed, and stretch my bones. I fully hated it when my mom called me by my full name “Paulina” I detest the name, it’s just a bit too delicate. It means small, or humble. I wanted; no dreamed to be like the heroines in my books; someone to seize the day, get the guy, fall in love, stop a ticking time bomb...but those are just stories. That wasn't me. I was quiet, shy, geeky glasses wearing introvert whose friends were in books and her elk-hound dog; Shaspi.

Most people call me Paul , I prefer it this way. I know what you’re thinking, that it’s a guy’s name or whatever, but it’s better than Paulina. My brother on the other hand got a normal name, it’s Michael if I didn’t mention it already. His name means “Who is like God”.

Well Wikipedia got that right, if you call dating the whole sophomore class being “Godlike”, then you can consider Michael a God. One bat of his long brown eyelashes and a killer “sexy” smile (his words, not mine) girls are begging him to ask him out. He is almost always on a date, unless my parents force him to stay home and do his homework, or chores. It disgusts me; but I love the big brute.

The best thing about my brother is that he is my protector, my best friend, my only friend; especially with our ages being so closely together. He is your typical big brother that intimidates any guy that looks at you, that is saying if I had any guy here in this city actually look at me, but I don’t. Heck, if I only had at least one friend to talk to I would be happy.

“Coming!” I yelled back downstairs to my mom.

I ran into my older brother Michael while crossing paths at the stairway.

“Hey dork,” He said smiling and proceeded to ruffle my hair around my face.

“Hey nerd,” I replied, trying to punch him in the arm. He dodged my attack and wrapped his arm around my head; giving me an everlasting noggie. “Stop, UNCLE, UNCLE!!!” Michael let go. “When are you going to grow up Michael? You're a senior in high school; don't you think it about time to grow up?”

“There is never a time to grow up; especially with these washboards...” he said, lifting up his shirt pointing to his abs.

Laughing at him admiring his abs, I poked his stomach repeatedly saying, “With that big head, you will never find a steady girl, you will just keep dating the tart-faced wh...” Michael cut me off by covering my mouth with his hand.

“Now, now, now Paulina that is no way to talk about the women who throw themselves at me. I can't help it that I was blessed with such handsome features. If the ladies want all this, I am not stopping them.” He let go of my mouth and sat me up straight, smoothing out the wrinkles on my shoulders. If only he knew... knew that those “women” that throw themselves at him were my high school tormentors. He protected me from men, but high school girls were a whole new ball-park, so I kept it to myself.

“Are you two coming down here or not?” Mom said, standing at the bottom of the stairs with her hands on her hips—all motherly like.

“Can we say the 'not' part?” Michael snickered back.

“Just get down here. Your father and I have something we need to tell you.” She replied.

Walking down the stairs with Michael in front of me he said, “What do you bet mom is preggos?”

He didn't see me, but I rolled my eyes at him. Mom had her tubes tied a few years after having me. I would gladly take on his bet. “I bet mom isn't pregnant. Let's say if I am right you have to take me to the bookstore every weekend. If you are right, I will...” I floundered off trying to think of a fair punishment.

“If I am right, you have to wash, wax, and vacuum my car for the next 3 times. Any time that I ask of you.” Michael said, cutting my away from my thoughts of a fair punishment.

“You're on.” I so had this in the bag. He didn't have a clue what I knew as I shook his hand with a knowing grin on my face.

Our parents were in the living room sitting on the couch holding hands. They were just as in love today as they were when they met 20 years ago. We were a lucky family. Dad always having a stable and well paying job so that mom could stay home and raise us; but lately with her picking up sewing and crocheting galore. I think I had over 4 crocheted blankets by now, but that's besides the point. Michael and I sat across from them on the blue couch. I sat crossed legged, while Michael sat forward in anticipation of me washing his car I am sure. Shaspi finally came downstairs and hopped onto the couch and laid down next to me.

“Alright kids. As your mother said, we have some news. News that you might not like. My job has given me a great opportunity. They offered me the management job in their new location,” He paused. “In Wyoming...we will be moving to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 3 days.”

“That's why your father has been traveling. He has been going to Wyoming to secure us a home. You guys are just going to love it. Shaspi will have a yard to run around in. It's a cute navy blue house. Two stories with a wrap arou...”

Michael interrupted, “Wait...so you aren't pregnant?”

From all of what my parents just said, he figured out they weren't pregnant...

“What would make you say that Michael?” my mother said, “No possible way I would be pregnant. I got a hysterectomy years ago.”

Michael looked back at me as if he was in pain. Tears gathered in his eyes. I knew he wasn't going to cry, but I could see that his emotions were on the brink of something big.

“so, you're not pregnant, but we are moving...to Wyoming,” he said.

“That's right.” Mom and dad said at the same time looking at each other and grabbing for each others hands.

Michael noticed the motion and blew. “We are MOVING! What about my school? My friends? Did you think about me? The city! We love the city. And Paul! She has a life here too you know.” he said, running his hands though his hair.

I really didn't have a life here. I wasn't quite as disappointed as Michel. But I did feel bad for him. He loved it here. He did have friends. I was slightly happy that I won the bet, but that was out of the question now. All bets were off so I kept my mouth silent. Silent from the bet and silent from the impending move to Wyoming.

Michael on the other hand looked at my parents hurt faces, glared, then walked to the door grabbed his keys, opened the door, slammed it and left.

“Well when are we leaving?” I dared to ask.

They replied in two days.

“Well I guess I will start to pack my things.” I said, standing up and walking up the stairs to my room with Shaspi.