Diet Mountain Due, baby, New York City
Never was there ever a girl so pretty
Chapter One
"So this is it."
My mom said, her voice weak, she'd been dreading this moment from actually happening. I think in her mind she thought if she didn't worry about it or even imagine it, it wouldn't happen. She should've known better than that though, because when I set my mind to something it rarely ever doesn't happen. I loved my mom though. She and I were very close, that's a lot more than most eighteen year old girls can say. We did have our share of fights, but nothing enough to ever rip us apart. Which I really adored a lot more than I'd ever mention.
"God knows why they call it the Big Apple though, all I smell is BO and cigarettes."
I joked, trying my best to lighten the mood, my mom smiled for a brief second but her face fell flat again. I sighed, unnoticeably.
"I love you, Clare." She paused, trying not to cry I assumed.
"Please take care of yourself." She began, I went to cut in and tell her how silly she was being, but she wouldn't let me, she only continued talking.
"Don't go off and become a junkie or something, okay? I want you to do all of the great things I know you are capable of." She said, I watched a tear fall down her face, I fought back tears of my own. I knew this moment was going to be sad, but I refused to make it into a total cry fest.
"Mom, I'm not going to become a druggie." I began, laughing a little. Me? A junkie? I think the worst thing I ever did was have a glass of wine, which I didn't even like. I just wanted to seem fancy at my older sisters college graduation party.
"I'm going to go do wonderful things, you know it's so. I will call you everyday and tell you everything, okay?" I asked with a big smile. She smiled back as she cried, it was a mix of emotions. We hugged for what I wanted to be hours but was only a few seconds. Before either one of us lost it we parted from one another. That was what us Edwards did though, hugged and walked away before getting too emotional. It was what I'd become accustomed to.
I wandered down a long crowded hallway of the airport. God, what an interesting mix of people there were. I saw every stereotype imaginable – preppy blondes with fake breasts, punk rockers with messy hair and big boots, older business men who looked stressed beyond belief, families excited to see New York City, etc. It made me curious as to what stereotype I would be. Maybe I looked as excited, nervous, and lost as others who obviously weren't familiar with the airport or the city in general. Whatever I was, I was determined to be successful. I was among many things excited to be in one of the most happening cities in the world, ready for anything, ready for everything.
Once I found my way out of the airport and to the streets of New York, I got inside a taxi and rode to my father's apartment just up the rode from Time Square.
I paid the greasy taxi man and walked up and into the apartment building. Although I'd never visited my father since he moved here, the place didn't feel foreign. The lady at the front desk smiled at me and I made my way the stairs and onto the third floor. Once I had found my father's apartment door, I took a breath. I hadn't seen my dad in five years. The divorce was messy. The most talking I'd done with my father was over texts and calls. I was nervous to see him nonetheless, but excited too. I knocked on the door twice and waited for a couple seconds. The door opened and there was my dad, he looked no different than the last time I'd seen him. Before we spoke we were hugging each other, so many feelings in that hug. Apologies, happiness, sorrow for the divorce. But he was my dad and I loved him.
"Clare, you look beautiful." He said softly, I smiled a little.
"You too." I said, then paused, "I mean, good, you look good." I said, fumbling my words, he laughed and let me in.
After showing me around the kitchen, living room, office, we walked toward what I assumed was going to be my room.
He opened the door and before I noticed the giant mirror, the crystal décor on both glass night stands or the huge bed, I saw what looked to be a woman not much older than myself. I blinked and it hit me, this was why my dad left us. I felt sick and mad all at once, but I hid it all with a fake smile. Because I couldn't hate her, I couldn't be mad, because I was a guest in this overpriced apartment and I had to pretend to love every bit of it. No matter the problem.
"Oh my gosh! This is Clare, isn't it?" She asked in a high pitched voice.
No, I'm Paul. Who the hell else were you expecting bitch? I thought.
"Uh, yes. Hi." I said blankly, I tried to sound as sweet as possible, but instead I sounded emotionless, which I guess was better than how I was actually feeling.
"It's so awesome to meet you! Your dad has told me so much stellar stuff about you babygirl!" She squealed. It was like nails on a chalkboard.
Awesome. Stellar. Babygirl. She was either really young, dumb, or high.
"Oh has he?" I asked, stopping myself from what I really wanted to say.
"Well I'm glad." I smiled fakely. "He didn't tell me about you at all."
It slipped. I was going to say something more nice and unrealistic, but I guess my true feelings couldn't be hidden completely.
She looked confused and looked at my dad for the answers. I assumed she did that often.
"Clare, you are too funny. I told you all about Lydia, remember?" He asked, he looked drained. I know he hadn't mentioned her, but I know he also was in deep shit with both of us if I didn't go along with it, so I did. Because I love my dad, sadly.
"Of course, sorry, my humor is a bit nontraditional." I excused myself, I wondered if she even knew what 'nontraditional' meant.
"I've heard tons about you, Lydia. I'm so glad to finally be meeting the girl who has made my dad so happy." I said and grinned, it was all sarcasm though. But I was sure she was too dumb to comprehend.
"Oh gosh, Mark!" She hit my dad's shoulder jokingly. "That is too sweet, you are too sweet Clare!" She smiled. Yup. Too dumb to comprehend.
My dad interrupted this idiotic fest, "Well, it's almost three. We should be heading out for your appointment with the surgeon, babe." He said to Lydia. More like Skankia.
"Oh right! You always remember everything darling." She kissed his cheek, "We definitely have to get to know each other later, Clare!" She said and hugged me. Her fake boobs making it hard to breathe. I strangled hugged her back.
As they walked out of my new room my dad looked at me, his face looked embarrassed. Which I can't say I blamed him one bit.
"If you want to Clare, you can go out and explore the city. My credit card's on the counter." He said with a smirk, I smiled back and nodded. That was his way of saying 'sorry for not telling you about Skankia, maybe this will make you not hate me'. Which was actually just fine with me.
I mean, wandering the streets of New York with a fully loaded credit card? Who could refuse that?
Diet Mountain Due, baby, New York City.
Never was there ever a girl so pretty.
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