Chapter 3

I didn't like driving the six hours to Grandma's house with a crying Mom. So when Grandma's large old house came into view and Mom stopped the car, I jumped out as fast as I could.

"Aw, man."

I had stepped into the deepest puddle I had ever seen. My entire shoe and the bottom of my jeans were soaked. I shook my foot a little before continuing up the sidewalk leading to Grandma's house. It was cheery brick house, small and squat. On the tiny porch, a brown swing hung, shifting slightly in the breeze.

I didn't wait for Mom, climbing the porch steps and ringing the doorbell. The front door sprang open and then I was enveloped in my Grandma's arms."Oh Roger! I'm so sorry."

She began to pat my head, smoothing down my black hair. Her soft arms seemed to be strangling me.  I squirmed, trying to extricate myself. She only tightened her hold, whispering condolences into my ear. I didn't like this, I was too close. I needed space. A burning panic began in my heart and my breath quickened.

Then I was released. I slumped against the brick wall, trying to compose myself. I shouldn't have flipped out. Grandmas are supposed to hug their grandchildren. 

I watched as Grandma pulled Mom to her chest and patted Mom's back. They both began to cry, shaking together, sobbing things like, "She was too young."

I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before slipping into the house. The walls were painted in pastel colors. Large pictures of Caroline and my mother sat on the living room mantel. Huge pillows with cats embroidered on them leaned against the lavender couch.

I let out a sigh. Mom had forgot to take Ophelia and Benny out of the car. They would not be happy. Grandma and Mom shuffled into the house, their faces tear-stained. I ran past them, ignoring their sniffled questions. Flinging open the front door, I stopped in my tracks.

Mom had forgotten to roll up the windows and now Benny, crazy dog that he was, was balancing on the window, sniffing the air. Ophelia let out a particularly ferocious howl. Benny jumped and toppled out of the minivan onto the sidewalk. I ran forward and scooped the little dog into my arms. He barked and licked my cheek. I guess he was alright.

I set him back down and opened the passenger door. Ophelia was rattling the cage, yowling loud enough to wake the dead. Caroline.  I shook the image of my sister out of my head and opened the door of the cage, scooping the gray cat into my arms. I slammed the car door shut and walked back into Grandma's house, Benny yapping at my heels.

As soon as I was inside, I set her down. She looked at me in disdain before sauntering away. I rolled my eyes and turned my back on her. I could hear my Mom's continued moans and Grandma's hushed comforts. The walls seemed to push in on me, trapping me with the memory of the bloody bath tub. I took a deep breath and looked down at Benny. "Want to go for a walk?"

Benny wagged his tail and panted. I took that for a yes and opened the door, not bothering to put Benny on a lease. He wouldn't wander.

I stuffed my hands in my pockets and walked slowly down the narrow sidewalk, taking in the view. I hadn't been to my grandma's house in years. Not since Caroline decided that she wanted girl time with Grandma.  I had been sent off to Grandpa's instead.

All the houses were brick and two storied, a fair bit larger then Grandma's. They all had the same square shape and small neat front lawns. Tall maple trees lined the brick road, whispering to each other and waving their topmost branches. It was so nice to be alone. No pity or condolences or tears or hugs or "

"Hi! My name's Dylan. What's your name? I haven't seen you around before. Are you new here? I'm so glad there's finally someone to talk to now that Beatrice is gone. Wow! Is that your dog? She's really cute. Or is it a he? I can't tell. Hey can I pick her up? She's really soft! You know what, she'd be perfect!"

The kid came out of nowhere, talking so fast I couldn't keep up. His glasses were askew and his brown hair stuck up in spots. He held a cheap looking video camera in one hand and my dog in the other. I stepped forward, "Hey, what-"

Before I could ask what he intended to do with my dog, he'd set Benny onto the old green skateboard at his feet and pushed him forward. The kid ran along behind him, laughing hysterically and following Benny with his camera. I ran after them. I picked up Benny and hugged the terrified the dog to my chest.

The kid moaned, "You just ruined the shot."

I stared at him in disbelief. He looked up and squinted. "What?"

"You just put my dog on a skateboard and scared the living daylights out of him."

The kid frowned for a second and then sighed, "Sorry. I wasn't thinking. Friends?"

He stuck his hand and I took it reluctantly, staring at him suspiciously. A loud voice came from behind him, "Dylan, its dinner time! Get inside before your dinner goes cold!"

The kid groaned and turned around, calling over his shoulder, "See you around."

Then he'd disappeared into the house, leaving me behind with a dusty skateboard. I shook my head and continued on my walk, setting Benny down onto the sidewalk. The kid was weird.

Reviews

[MelissaAndres]

I really like how you described the street and the houses but I particularly liked your description of the trees.
'Tall maple trees lined the brick road, whispering to each other and waving their topmost branches', is my favorite line in this chapter. Awesome!

[Lanie Nickel]

Thank you! I based it on what my street looks like :)

[MelissaAndres]

You did an excellent job!

[Lanie Nickel]

Thank you!