“Asking nothing! Leave me be!”
I silenced my phone alarm violently and pulled the covers up again. Gosh! What was I thinking when I set “Highway To Hell” as my alarm tone? I was trying to go back to sleep when my mom walked in.
“Get up, sleepy head!” She said while opening the curtains.
“Ugh, mom, go away! I got infected with a really serious and dangerous disease and if you get any closer, you’ll catch it and die.” I turned under the sheets groaning.
“Your dad called,” I could feel her walking over to my bed and sitting next to me, “he’s coming over for lunch.” I peeked from under the sheets to see my mother holding a cooking book with a large goofy smile on her face.
“What is that?”
“You’re gonna help me cook today!”
“Oh no, ha ha, hell no! Since when do you cook anyways? I’m going to fall into a coma because of my disease now. Bye!”
“Go take a shower and join me downstairs. I need your help with the beef jerky. Now!” She shot me a serious look. I cursed under my breath and threw the sheets away.
I stood under the pouring water with my head against the wall. The warmth of the water made me brought me a familiar sensation. I closed my eyes and there he was again, making his way through the rising flames like they weren’t there, staring at me with those grey eyes that made me shiver, wrapping his warm arms around me. What is happening to me? I managed to wash up, dry my hair and get dressed without any struggles, and then I went downstairs.
As my mom washed the potatoes and prepared the pies and the jerky, I was busy fetching and handing her things and completing the small cooking tasks she assigned to me while trying not to stumble on Lisa who was wandering in the kitchen mumbling incomprehensible words that sounded like Chinese to me. I’ve always asked my mom if she had adopted her from some Chinese family without letting anyone know.
Fortunately, we’ve managed to cook a decent meal without setting the house on fire.
I heard the engine of a car in the driveway and ran to open the door. My dad stood there, hands in his pocket, his eyes brightened when he saw me. I threw my arms around him and buried my face in his neck as he kissed my hair. As my mother stepped behind me with Lisa at her feet, I felt him tense. “Regina.” He smiled politely. “George.” She replied. I felt the tension rise in the doorway as they shook hands but then he turned his attention to Lisa. “Hello, princess!” he spoke with a warm smile on his face. “Let’s get inside!” I spoke.
My dad carried Lisa as I led the way to the table that was already set.
As we sat around the table, an awkward silence filled the room. I barely touched my plate because I was busy watching my parents’ dramatic attempts to avoid eye contact like a high school couple.
“The food is delicious!” My dad broke the silence, finally. “Thank you! Ella helped me prepare it.” She replied, pointing her fork at me. “Is that so?” He said, trying to keep the conversation going. I nodded chewing on a piece of bread.
“I’ll serve the pie.” I stood carrying the dishes to the sink. My parents talked shortly about politics, economy, about Lisa and I... Basically everything but their relationship status.
“I should get going.” My dad spoke reaching for his jacket.
“Can’t you stay a bit longer?”
“Forgive me, Ella. I must take care of some business.”
“Promise me you’ll take us skiing next weekend!”
“I promise.”
He turned to face my mother who was holding Lisa in her arms, “Thank you for the meal, Regina. It was lovely.” He kissed Lisa’s forehead then rested his hand on my shoulder. “Goodbye, princess! Ella, walk me out, would you?” I nodded. We reached the driveway. “Wait over here!”
I stood there with my arms wrapped around my body, it was getting cold. Suddenly, I noticed a shiny red Alpha Romeo “Wow! Is this your new car?”
“No, no! It’s not mine,I wonder who does it belong to!” He smirked while handing me the keys. My mouth dropped open and my heart skipped a beat. “Oh my god, dad! Is it really mine?” He nodded and I hugged him tight while mumbling thank yous between kisses. Then he left in a cab.
I rushed upstairs towards my room climbing 2 stairs at a time. I put on skinny jeans, a thick jumper, a pair of Vans and tied my red hair into a messy bun. I ran back downstairs.
“Where do you think you’re going?” My mom stood in my way as if to stop me, “I’m going out, I gotta go show off my new car.”
“No, you’re not. We were supposed to have a family weekend.”
“That wasn’t a request.” I smiled and continue running past her.
I hopped on the driver’s seat and fastened my seatbelt. I looked around in fascination and ran my hands on the cold beige leather seats. All mine. It felt genuinely good to have a space of my own.
I glanced at the small but legible red numbers written on the shinny black tachometer then looked at my reflection in the mirror and smiled despite my smudged eyeliner. I turned on the radio and jumped at the sound of Fall Out Boy’s “Light’em Up”. I’ve always had a preference for classic rock music, but I didn’t mind this track.. My hands fit perfectly on the steering wheel as I drove while singing a long enthusiastically. “I’m on fire.”
