Chapter One: Going in a New Direction
Cleo
Rain pitter pattered on the window panes in my father's office while I sat there with my parents silently. It was a typical day in Chicago, at least weather wise because it was always cloudy with a chance of downpour. I had just gotten home from a friend's house when my mother swiped me into her car, saying Dad wanted to talk to us, and didn't give any other details. I was really confused on what was going on, but decided to let my father speak before freaking out.
My father, Dr. Jonathan Lewis, a well-known Cardiac Surgeon (one of the best in the country), sat stiffly in front of me, as if he was dealing with one of his patients. His golden-brown eyes were warm, which contrasted with the firm thin line his lips made and his furrowed, crinkled eyebrows. He normally didn't have that expression unless he needed to inform us about something important.
I glanced at my mother, who stood behind my father's desk. Her bright green eyes twinkled at me, as if in an attempt to put me at ease, but I knew something was up. My mother styled her hair so that it was a straight, thick curtain of chestnut hair, and she was wearing a red cocktail dress with black pumps. Normally, when we visit Dad at his office, she would wear a nice top and jeans. Never a fancy dress. Never pumps. Plus, I caught my parents exchange a few glances. They knew something that I didn't, and I wanted to know.
"Cleo, you know that as a doctor, my biggest dream is to have my practice grow," My father started, scooting closer to his desk.
I nodded, "Yeah, that's why we moved to Chicago, right?" Yup, that's right. Chicago was not my hometown. That title went to Lima, a small town in Ohio I lived in until I was about ten.
Dad nodded, and I even saw a small smile form on his almost always serious face, "That's correct. Lately, I have been thinking about moving my practice once more, and I believe that this opportunity has arrived." His eyes shifted to Mom, and they twinkled happily as they grasped each other's hands. Still holding Mom's hand, Dad looked back at me, "I have been given the chance to have my practice in Paris."
"Paris, France?!" I blurted. "Seriously?!"
Instead of being annoyed, my father chuckled, "That's correct, too."
"We're moving to Paris?"
"Not exactly," Dad cleared his throat, "Like most successful things in this world, there needs to be a test run. A colleague of mine has a practice in Paris and is willing to let me work there for a year. I need to be in Paris in two weeks." He sighed, as if there was some but I needed to know.
Mom was silently thrilled; I could tell by the way was she smiling. Her dream has always been to live in Paris, and now that dream was coming true. I smiled, thinking about how happy my mother was.
"That's fantastic!" I chirped in, so Dad knew I was happy about this news.
Dad looked up at me, his eyes suddenly dark, "There's a problem, though."
"There is?" I was confused again.
"I checked out their education system, and it is very complicated," Dad started, but he hesitated, as if trying to find a way to word his next statement, "Your mother and I both agree that you would be too far behind for you to get educated."
"So, does that mean I have to drop out?" Still confused.
"Absolutely not," Dad replied, leaning back in his chair, "I hate to tell you this, Cleo, but you can't go."
If this was a cartoon, my jaw would have been on the ground. "I can't go? This is ridiculous!" I shouted, standing up from the chair defensively. This wasn't fair! Just because French schooling was different from American didn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to go to France!
"Cleo, sweetie," Mom finally spoke, "Please, understand, this is for your best. Do you really think you could adjust properly?"
"Maybe, if I was given the chance!" I shot back, "What happens if your practice is successful and you stay? What happens to me?"
"We will figure it out as a family when we get to that!" Dad retorted, standing from his chair and nostrils flaring. Great, I pissed him off, "Will you please think about the opportunity this gives me? The life we could have? We would obviously visit frequently and stay in touch, but there's a chance this won't work out! Just think of it as us being gone for a year." He drew in a breath, calming down.
I did the same; something I inherit from my father was a temper. Next, another question popped in my mind, and I allowed it to come out of my mouth, "Where will I live while you're gone?"
Mom spoke up, clearly because she thought my dad would start shouting again, "We already have that arranged." She walked towards me and put a hand on my shoulder, "Since we have no family that can take you in, you'll be living with a family friend."
I nodded. Mom was right about the lack of family. Dad was an only child, and Mom's one siblings was unfit of taking in a teenager. Uncle Garrett was in AA and unemployed. But what family friend?
"Who?" I asked softly, realizing that I felt extremely vulnerable. My parents were just shipping me off a family that I probably didn't know. I trusted Mom and Dad, but I was still worried.
Mom squeezed my shoulder, "Her name is Carole Hudson; we've been friends since high school. She has a son named Finn, he's close to your age, I think a couple years older. Does that ring any bells?"
Actually, it did. It rang a bell with images of a boy with dark hair a knack for singing. Finn! Now I remembered. Finn and I were best friends since I was in diapers. We'd have play dates together all the time, and he'd play with me on the playground when I started school. I thought of him as the older brother I never wanted. At least I would be with people that I knew. But, I had to move back to Lima?
"So, I have to move back to Lima." I stated to myself, then looked at Mom and Dad, "Do they know I'm coming?"
Mom smiled, "Yes, I called them a few days ago." She pulled me in for a hug, "We're going to go out for a nice dinner, then we'll go home and pack." I felt her start to rub my back, "Don't worry, honey. Everything will be okay."
I didn't respond because I was praying to myself that Mom was right.
