Saying Goodbye

first chapterr;; hope you like it!

01

I sink my hands deep, down into the moist soil of the garden and retrieve my first flower of the summer. I pull the Lilac up from the ground and place it right under my nose, taking a deep breath. Finally, it was summer. No more school, no more teachers, no more reasons to get up at 8 AM. No more reasons for life to pull me down.

 

My bare feet sink into the grass as I turn to head back inside. I carry the single lilac with me, admiring it’s beautiful lavender pedals. Of all the flowers in the world, these have always been my favorite. They brighten my day, even on days like today.

 

As I walk back through the sliding doors, I watch the family get ready for their trip. My mother already has a flask in her hand, ready for her drink-and-sleep routine. Just the sight of that makes me happy I’m not accompanying them this go round. “Let’s go, let’s go.” The roar of my step father, Gary, shakes up the room.

 

I take that as my cue to head up the back stairs. With each step up, I can hear an argument forming. They can’t even be civil long enough for one car ride to Alabama. “Hey sis.” I hear as I’m passing Mark’s room. The only sane person living under this roof.

 

It’s too bad he’s leaving today. I enter his room right as he’s zipping up his last suitcase. He smiles at me, noticing the lilac’s in my hand. “First day of summer.” He sighs. As he places his last bag on the floor he watches me. “You going to be okay here by yourself?” He asks, the worry in his voice rising.

 

I let my eyes fall to the flower in my hands. It’s already in need of water. “Lilly..” Marks eyes pull on me until ours meet. “I’ve got my dad.” I say and he sighs. He’s the only one who knows anything that has happened to me over the years. He’s my secret keeper and I’m loosing him to college today. Just had to get an education.

 

“Listen to me..” He says, walking over and placing his hands on my shoulders. “If anything happens you’ve got to tell someone.. call me.. just because I’m not going to be right here, it doesn’t mean I’m not right.. here..” He says, poking me in the chest. I roll my eyes, chuckling. “Oh please.”

 

He sighs, pulling me into a tight embrace. “I may just be your step-brother, but you’re my little sis and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” He promises. “Not again.” I correct him, softly. He takes a deep breath. “I’ll never forgive myself...” “Wasn’t your fault.”

 

A loud crash down stairs breaks the moment. “Damn it, Cheryl!” The dominant male’s voice cries loud, up the stairs. My drunken mother. “Never.” Mark says, turning to grab his bags. I grab one, helping him lug them down the stairs. “Why do you have to go now? Why a whole summer early?” I ask, feeling the weakness begin.

 

He stops, mid-staircase to pull me into another hug. “Sweetie, you know I’ve got to do this. I’m already behind, skipping last year.” He says, and I squeeze him, as hard as I can. “I’ll miss you.” I say, wishing I didn’t have to say goodbye to my only friend. “Me too squirt, me too.”

 

“Let’s go! Mark Anthony Farmer get your a*s in the car!” Gary meets us at the bottom of the stairs. “And you, little miss Lilly, help him get his bags.” He snaps at me, a crooked grin forming around his large mouth. His anger always sends shocks through my body.

 

Marks fingers lace with mine as he jerks me away from his father. “That’s enough dad, we’re on time! Early, actually.” He snaps. Thanks Mark; I’d pay for that later. “Go, go, go!” Gary shouts, the blood rushing to his face.

 

I break out in a near run to the car, lugging one of Marks suitcases with me. My mother has already taken her position in the car, smoking a cigarette. I look from her to Mark with apologetic eyes. That’s the thing about us, we both come with parent’s the world would be better off without.

 

Anger management meet alcoholic. It’s a wonder there isn’t much wrong with Mark. And it explains why I have problems. “Stop thinking that way.” Mark says, throwing his last bag into the trunk. I sigh, looking over to him as Gary gets in the drivers seat. “You know it’s true.” I counter, still trying to understand how he can read me so well.

 

“Munchkin, I know the exact opposite.” He says, slamming the trunk shut. “Get in the car!” Gary yells. Mark sighs, running his hands through my hair, messing it up like he always does. “I’ll call you tonight once I’m settled in.” He promises. I nod as he gets in.

 

I take a few steps away from the car, awaiting Gary’s rapid exit. Sure enough, moments after I move, he burns rubber out of the driveway. Mark waves to me one last time through the tinted glass as I’m left standing there, watching my best friend walk right out of my life.

Author's Note

like? hate? whats wrong? tell me things!

Reviews

[Ray]

I found it very captivating. I have to admit I'm mighty curious about what happened to her. Can't wait to read the next the next chapter !!

[anneliese]

i thought that this was a really good intro chapter. it gave just enough with out giving too much. i already have a good sense of the characters without being able to predict their every move. i think that this is going to be a really great book. Wonderful job!!!

[Farrah Grahm]

I like this, but I always have issues with being left hanging. When you get a new chapter ready, message me. I'm interested in learning exactly what the premise of the story is, but I liked this beginning mostly because it played out like a scene in a movie for me, which usually means it had great characterization and imagery from the get go.
There's nothing I could say to change about this. Obviously you will explain the secrets she's keeping in a later chapter, but, and this just might be my preference, it might be helpful to introduce her "secrets" in a slightly more subtle manner. Like, slip it in somewhere in narration without actually using the word secret, until you call Mark the "secret keeper"
I like how Lilly picks a Lily in the beginning. I have a habit of doing this too. I do this a lot too, like I have a character named Larkin who paints a Lark. I like this name play game authors can play :)
Good job! Keep ''em coming!