Torn Souls (5 page)

“It was really good. My court case didn’t last as long, so I was able to get back to the office to wrap up some paper work. On the plus side of that, I even had time to call the moving company and pick up boxes on the way home,” she said with a smirk.

There it was, the moment of truth. Mom was about to ask Dad and I to get the boxes out of the car. Ugh, I didn’t want to help. I wanted to go into my room and check out my new phone, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen.

“Honey, would you like Julia and me to get the boxes out of the car?” Dad asked without hesitation.

“That would be great, dear,” she said while leaning into him and smacking his butt.

“Oh, gross. Really, Mom? I’m standing right here,” I said while making a gagging noise.

Mom just laughed at my remark while Dad told me to help him get the boxes. Once we finished bringing them all in the house, I headed up to my room before dinner so I could check out my new phone. Not only did my dad buy me one of the best phones, he also bought me a Marylyn Monroe case for it. While letting it charge, I read through the book it came with to see what features it had. As I touched the screen, I noticed a phonebook on it. Sadly, I really didn’t have many numbers to store on my phone besides my mom, dad, grandmother, and a few distant relatives. I did however download the Kindle App to the phone for my books.

In the middle of setting it up I could hear Mom call up to me reminding me to wash up for dinner. I really wasn’t all that hungry, but I knew if I didn’t eat she’d think something was wrong. I could hear her saying, “What’s wrong, Julia. Do you have a fever? Is it cramps? Do you need me to take you to the doctor?” I love my mom, but she is very overprotective and it sometimes drives me crazy.

As we sat at the dinner table to eat, my stomach began to growl. Huh, maybe I was wrong, but then again Mom’s cooking could make anyone want to eat. There I sat in front of homemade meat loaf, mash potatoes, green beans, and corn bread. I was now wondering what was for dessert. While stuffing my face, Dad looked up from his plate at my mom and said, “Oh, honey, I forgot to tell you that while I was on my way home I stopped at the store and picked up a phone for Julia.”

Holy crap was about the only words that kept running back and forth in my head. I waited for her to say something like, “You bought Julia a phone without discussing it with me first?!” Instead, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. There was no yelling, or making my dad feel like he shouldn’t have bought me a phone. Instead my mom smiled and said, “Oh, good. I’m glad you did. I was thinking about taking her this weekend to get one.”

My mouth kind of dropped open just a little. I was completely in shock and happy at the same time. Happy more for my dad knowing his butt wasn’t about to be chewed off. By the look on Dad’s face he had been holding his breath just waiting. Slowly, I could see him exhale. I found it to be a little bit funny.

“I’m glad you’re fine with it, honey. To tell you the truth, I was a bit nervous that you’d be upset that I didn’t discuss it with you first,” he said lovingly.

“No, this is a good thing. Moving to the city can be a bit scary. I’ll feel a little bit better now that you have a phone, Julia. This way if you ever need me or your dad, you’ll be able to reach us,” Mom said as she tapped her hand on my arm.

“Alright, who’s ready for dessert?” Mom asked knowing even if Dad and I didn’t have much room left we’d still shove it down our faces.

“Is it brownies? No, wait, is it chocolate cake?” I asked as my mouth began to water even after I had just eaten dinner.

“No, it’s actually strawberry cheese cake,” said Mom with a slight smile knowing that was one of my favorite desserts. Well, anything Mom baked was my favorite.

As I shoveled the last piece into my mouth I felt like I was going to puke, never mind having to move from the kitchen table. I knew I should have waited for my dinner to digest, but when my ears heard cheese cake, it was over. Once I was finally able to move from my chair, I helped Mom clean up before heading up to my room. I thought it was the least I could do after she made such an awesome meal like always. Seeing it was Friday night, I’d stay up a little later messing with my new phone while watching some TV. Everything was just about done in the kitchen, so I scooted my way to my room, but not before my mom said, “Julia, remember not to stay up too late. We have a big day ahead of us.”

“Yes, I know, Mom,” I said with an uncertainty in my voice which caused her to look at me with both eyebrows raised.

“Packing, Julia. We will be packing all day tomorrow.” Mom smiled.

“I know, Mom. I’ll be up bright eyed and bushy tailed,” I replied with a chuckle so she wouldn’t think I was being a wise guy.

“All right then, goodnight, dear.”

Chapter Five

The next morning Mom was at my door telling me it was time to get up. I was sure hoping it was at least past nine in the morning. Rolling over to look at my clock, I almost fell off the bed from the shock of just how early it was. Six thirty! What was she, crazy? It was Saturday and she’s dragging me out of bed even before the rooster crowed. Even though my body felt limp and wanted to stay in bed, I knew to get up before my mom came crashing through my bedroom door saying, “Rise and shine sleepy head.”

Climbing out of bed, I slid on my slippers and headed down stairs to the kitchen where I could smell Mom cooking breakfast. There, already on a plate waiting for me, was scrambled eggs, bacon and toast with a glass of orange juice. After eating, Mom and I started wrapping knick knacks and picture frames from the living room. Then she suggested we start packing some of my stuff. I knew my room was going to be an all-day project.

Half way through, the only thing we had really packed was my books. Mom asked me if I wanted to give some of them away to Goodwill, but I explained to her that even though I had read them all, I was attached. “Mom, you know how you’re attached to your shoes?” I asked.

“Yes, Julia,” Mom said, knowing what I was about to say next.

“Well, that’s how attached I am with my books, but if you want me to donate some other stuff, I will,” I said smiling at her.

“Maybe, you can clean out your closet. Let’s put a box over to the left and I’ll write donate on it and you can throw whatever you want in it. Then Monday on my way to work I’ll drop it off at good-will,” she said with a proud look on her face.

The time was going by pretty fast and half of my room was packed up. Mom suggested we stop and take a break to eat lunch. Dad had called while Mom was making BLT’s to see how the packing was going and if Mom needed anything before he headed home. Bubble wrap and a bottle of wine she told him. I was kind of shocked at the request for wine. I mean, the only time I’d ever seen Mom drink was at holiday gatherings.

After lunch, we headed back to my room hoping to finish up. Mom’s plan was for me to only have clothes and the necessities to get me through the next week. The moving truck was coming next Friday and we were to be in New York on Saturday. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that we were no longer going to live in Ohio. Here in my small little town the houses were not that close. Our nearest neighbor is at least a football field away. There are farmers that own lots of corn fields, chicken houses, and dairy farms.

Mom and I finally finished packing the last of my stuff just before Dad came home. I was so exhausted I could hardly stand up. The only thing I wanted to do was take a shower and go to bed, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen for a while. Taping up the last box and writing “miscellaneous” on it, I heard Dad calling through the house, “You guys, I’m home and I come bearing gifts.” Great, more bubble wrap was all I thought.

“Come on, Julia. Leave that stuff on the bed,” Mom said while walking out of the room.

I found it a little weird that I had to go with her. I mean, it’s not like every time my dad came home I greeted him at the door. In any case I was glad that we were calling it quits on the packing until tomorrow. Ugh, that reminded me. There went my sleeping in on Sunday, too. Following Mom in the kitchen, I noticed Dad putting bags on the table. I really couldn’t tell what he brought home. It sure looked like more than just bubble wrap and wine.

“Hi, honey,” Mom said while kissing Dad on the lips.

Ugh, did they really need to make out in front of me? That was the last image I wanted stuck in my head. Did they not know that eventually I’d need some serious counseling if they kept on doing stuff like that in front of me? No kid wants to see their parent be all mushy in front of them. Clearing my throat and tapping my foot on the floor I said, “Hello, I’m standing right here.”

“Oh, Julia, I didn’t see you standing there,” Dad said with his face all flustered.

“Yep, well I am. Can I suggest something to both of you?” I asked.

“Sure, all right,” Mom answered.

“Now, I’m just saying, so keep that in mind, but maybe you guys should get a room,” I said while snickering at the both of them.

Just then Dad decided to darted after me saying, “Oh, really. You think so.” I hated when my dad chased me. He somehow thought I enjoyed being chased through the house while screaming, knowing he would eventually catch me. I really think my parents should have had another kid. Clearly he didn’t see that I wasn’t a little girl anymore. Thank God for Mom. After a couple of minutes of me running through the living room, out the door, around the house, and then into the garage while opening the door that lead back into the kitchen, Mom whistled loudly which stopped both Dad and I in our tracks.

“Okay, both of you, enough,” Mom command like we were two pit bulls chasing each other.

I couldn’t believe how out of breath I was. Come to think of it, I was kind of panting like a pit bull. As Dad was catching his breath he laughed a little as Mom stared us down. I wanted to say, “Oh, Mom, relax, have a glass of wine,” but I didn’t want to push her, so I kept my mouth closed.

Once Dad stopped breathing so heavily, he said, “All right, we’re done being foolish.”

“Good, can we just all wash for dinner then?” Mom asked.

Boy, did she look like she was about to break. It was probably due to all the packing and getting up at the crack of dawn. I was hoping she’d think about sleeping in a little later tomorrow, but knowing her she’d still be up early again. Just as I was making my way toward the bathroom to wash up, I realized I smelt something wafting in the air. It actually smelt like Chinese.

“Is that dinner in those bags?” I asked being nosey, and of course because I was hungry.

“Yes, I knew I’d be exhausted from packing, so I asked your dad to pick up some Chinese. I know what you’re thinking. Mom’s not cooking. What’s the world coming to, an end? I figured that seeing as we’ll need to pack up most of the kitchen tomorrow, why dirty some dishes?” Mom said as if she had to explain herself. I think the guilt of not cooking like she usually does was kind of bothering her. Heck, I didn’t care what we ate, as long as I fed my growling stomach.

It had been a long time since we had Chinese, so I told myself that I would eat it nice and slow to savor every bit, but my mouth had other plans. Before I knew it, I had inhaled my food like a crazed animal who just found a gourmet meal out of a dumpster. After dinner, Mom said she’d clean up so I could go take a shower and relax. Usually, I’d offer to help, but I was really wiped out and just wanted to get into bed.

Once I was under my covers, I set my timer on my TV and fell fast asleep. The next morning I woke up not to my mom’s voice telling me to get up. No, I woke up to the sound of a chainsaw which startled me. Pulling off my covers, I walked over to my window pulling back the curtains and yanking up the blinds. Across the field was a man cutting down some trees. I couldn’t believe someone was up so early making all kinds of racket.

Knowing I was never going to go back to sleep with all that noise, I slip my slippers on and headed for the bathroom. Standing in front of the sink, I turned on the faucet and splashed some cold water on my face to wake me up. After wiping my face, I looked up in the mirror. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. If I looked like Jennifer Aniston or Kate Beckinsale then I’d stare at myself all day, but I didn’t. I was just an awkward looking girl who had no beauty.