AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One - Mia
Usually, spring break during college is a relief for most people. However, I greet these next two weeks with a mixture of emotions. At least school is out for a while, and I don't have the pressures of studying to worry about. That's good because something else is plaguing my mind.
It all started a few days ago when I called home. I miss my parents, being that I am so far away at college. I wanted the comfort of their voices and the routine familiarity of their updates on home life.
What I received, however, was a bombshell. My mother informed me that she and my father were getting a divorce. She moved from Staten Island to Atlantic City, and they were selling my childhood home. I nearly dropped the phone in shock. Well, hopefully, I can try to salvage some happy moments from my childhood before everything is gone.
Since it's spring break, I decided to drive home and pay my old house a visit. This whole situation isn't exactly ideal, but I might as well try and make the best of it. As I drive, I try to put everything out of my head for now. I roll down the windows and listen to upbeat music, but nothing helps.
I stare out the window at the surrounding landscape. New York can be pretty. The houses in the surrounding area are lovely. Yet, none of it is enough to distract me from the worry and anxiety I feel from my parent's divorce.
I leave the radio on as I drive the rest of the way to Staten Island. Once everything starts to look familiar, I turn off the radio and slow down on the outskirts of the city. My heart is uneasy. This all feels so wrong.
Pulling over outside a gas station, I get out of the car and lean against the side. I breathe in the fresh air then pull my phone out of my pocket to call my mother. The line rings a few times.
“Mia. How are you?” my mother asks. She sounds busy—probably unpacking.
“Fine, mom,” I reply.
“Good. I assume school is already out?”
“Yes. I'm driving right now.”
“Great! Why don't you come to spend some time with me? I just finished decorating my place,” she explains. I hear muffled talking in the background—my stomach drops.
“Mom, do you have company?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Yes….my new boyfriend,” she admits quietly. I want to roll my eyes or puke. This all is so wrong.
Ever since this divorce started, my parents have been acting like teenagers: moving away and dating.
Before I lose my nerve, I say, “Actually, mom, I was thinking of going home. I want to see the old house and maybe stay there again.”
All I hear is silence on the other end of the phone. “Darling, you need to stop being so sentimental. Who wants to go back there? Besides, the whole place is being remodeled and sold. Just come stay in Atlantic City with me,” my mother answers.
I would rather claw my eyes out.
I sigh aloud. “Relax, mom. I'm not going to wreck anything. I just want to go there and take one last look around before everything changes,” I argue.
Mom speaks to me in her bossy tone. “No. I don't want you to bother the new owner. There is nothing left to see, Mia, so you just stay away from there.”
I roll my eyes. I already made up my mind. I am going to ignore her advice and go out to the house anyway. She can't stop me. She’s not even in the city.
“Whatever, mom. I need to get back on the road,” I reply.
Mom huffs. “You better do what I say. Call me later, so I know you are safe,” she warns me.
“Whatever,” I reply as I hang up.
Getting back in the car, I toss the phone on the seat then groan in frustration. Now, what am I going to do?
I'm twenty. I’m just finishing my second year of college at Harvard, and I should be enjoying this time of my life right now, but I’m not. I sigh, look out the windows, then lean back against the seat.
Okay, I could always go and visit my mother. But I would have to deal with her and her new boyfriend. I want to gag at that thought. Or I could take off to Florida. I mean, that is where everyone goes for spring break. This whole thing is so frustrating. How could this have happened to my parents? I remember them being so happy and in love with each other. It feels like my whole childhood is a lie now.
I start the car and drive around town for a while. Seeing my old home would make me feel better. It would give me the closure that I need to deal with this whole situation. I can relive those happy childhood memories one last time.
