I opened my eyes to the sun shining through the window then groaned tiredly. Today's the day, Nonny. Don't fail yourself now. I sat up and stretched out my arms then held my hand out the open window that is the closest to my bed. I felt the sun beating down on my sensitive skin then a gentle warm breeze shortly after, which is telling me that today's going to be an extra hot day. And since that is, I better start getting ready for one of my biggest trips I've ever taken.
I took out my dusty old supply bag from my closet and grabbed resources from all over the house; a full, cold water bottle, an umbrella, some snacks, a second pair of hiking boots, a few sheets of napkins, sleeping bag and a hunting knife. I am now fully prepared!
I went down my glossy wooden stairs and pushed my front door open to take in the wonderful early morning breeze. Admiring my impressively huge and freshly cut lawn, I stepped outside and sighed heavily; this is gonna be one heck of a trip.
One step for man, and another for mankind! The heat began to feel like it was roasting my skin the longer I stood out here -
I took a water and snack break. I took out my sleeping bag and laid beneath the shady tree so I can have a chill 30 min rest, then I decided to take a short nap just to be safe.
Afterwards I continued to walk down the concrete path that lies within the lush grass. I soon felt my legs growing weak and heavy with every step I take. I grabbed my extra hiking boots and switched out my regular shoes. Since the hiking boots have a very soft material in the interior of it, I should be able to make this trip without my feet aching.
I took out my smartphone and opened the SnapChat application to record myself seconds away from my goal.
"Bad news," I spoke to the camera. "I have used almost all of my supplies. I don't think I can make it without them… but I can see my destination from where I'm standing, so there's a possibility that I could actually do something quite helpful for my Mom. Whoever is viewing this, I would like to thank you for all the love and constant support-"
I bump into the mailbox, accidentally dropping my phone facedown on the cement. The screen went black for a moment before replaying the video I had recorded. Relieved, I sent the video to My Story then opened the mailbox. Four small envelopes neatly stacked against the mailbox's walls. I grabbed them then rushed back inside my heat deflecting house.
"Mom…" I panted as I crawled towards her tiredly. "I did it!"
My Mom rolled her greenish gray eyes at me before turning back to her large glass lemonade pitcher. She was cutting up small sandwiches and stirring the juice at the same time. Mom had always been good at multitasking.
"That's a first…" she mumbled under her breath, although, I was able to hear what she had said. "Did what, Nonny? And can you please get off the floor this instant? I just mopped the place!" she scolded.
I pulled out the three envelopes from my hiking bag and handed it to her with a big smile on my face. She carelessly reads each cover of the envelopes, tossing them behind one another as if they have little meaning to her then paused for a moment.
"What?" I questioned curiously.
"Why did you gave me these? I don't know what to do with them right now." she said as she casually tossed them in the letter basket on top of the table. "Did all of that came from the mailbox, sweetie?"
"Yes, I went out and got the mail for you."
"Why? Did you order something again? That could possibly be the only reason why you'd go out your way to get the mail for me." she rebuttals, slightly tilting her head.
"No...?"
Her head snaps back in place, followed by a shrug. "Huh." she, once again, went through the envelopes reading whatever was written on them and sighed. "I was expecting another letter to come in but I guess a certain someone became forgetful once again…"
It fell silent for a few minutes. I knew she was referring to my Dad. She sees him as a neglectful person and absolutely hated that about him. I'm not sure what she was expecting from him though. They are divorced after all. Maybe she still has some love for him after the split a year ago and she was expecting some kind of love letter? I don't know.
"Well aren't you going to thank and reward me with some lemonade and sandwiches?" I asked, feeling my stomach grumble from hunger.
"Uh, yes, thank you Nonny. And no, I will not! These are for the neighbors who are visiting us for the housewarming party. Don't be rude, we just moved here." she said as I rolled my eyes at her. Noticing this, she patted my head and gave my forehead a kiss. "How about you go upstairs and freshen up instead while I fix you up some actual breakfast."
"I would very much accept that offer!" I smiled happily then ran upstairs as fast as I could.
I love my Mom! Sure, she can be mean, strict, and bossy but I love her nonetheless! She's an excellent cook, always wants what's best for me and my sisters and works very hard at her job! Her occupation is being a customer service representative at some window company. Sure, it sounds like a lame job but she gets paid for what she does. How'd you think we were able to afford this house so easily?
"MOM!" I heard my two sisters scream with joy from downstairs. I hurriedly buttoned my white shirt, checked for any flaws on my outfit of choice then followed the noise back in the kitchen.
"My babies are finally home." Mom said softly, still embracing the twins. She lets them go and noticed me standing by the stairs, watching the three of them share their greetings. "Go give your brother some love too, girls. I must get ready for the guests." she said then disappeared into her room down the hallway.
My older sisters each gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The oldest of the three of us is Jennifer Fitzpatrick or Jenny for short. She's pretty tall with baby blue eyes and has long, vibrant auburn colored hair, just like Mom. She even behaves like Mom from time to time but when she's in a good mood, she can be very likeable to have around.
Robyn Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, is more like my Dad personality-wise. She has shiny, long blonde-red hair, light green eyes, a smile that's very friendly and welcoming and has an amazing humorous spirit that can brighten one's day, even though many sees it as being immaturity for her age.
" 'Oy yer been, Nonny? Done any excitin' adventures lately?" Robyn eagerly asked me with her usual Irish accent as she removed her jean jacket and dropped it on top of the couch.
Jennifer crossed her arms, "Have you discovered the adventures of getting a job instead of sitting at Mom's house all Summer, again?" she laughed jokingly.
I felt my cheeks warm up and shook my head, "I don't know about getting a job yet." I shrugged shamelessly.
The thought of having to make a great effort to earn money almost everyday is nerve-wracking. I've been afraid to attempt smaller jobs to make pocket money outside of my own personal skills, since the occupations I'd like to be a part of requires many years of college.
Jennifer scoffed, "Thought so. While I was staying at Dad's, I found a flyer for a job opening at this camp that was closed down for a couple of years back then. They've recently opened back up again and has improved greatly since. I'm going to head to the high school for an interview after the housewarming, if you're interested."
"Oi'm gonna try for a nurse posishun cos oi love stickers!" Robyn squealed as she stamped a sticker on my forehead. "Plus, yer git ter care for laddies! Oi love kids!"
"You want me, an irresponsible young adult, to work at a place where you have to watch and take care of children? No thanks. Got any cool paleontologist job openings?"
"What's da?" Robyn laughs as she immediately went on her phone to probably search up the definition of paleontologist - it's a person who studies fossils by the way.
"Nonny, if you claimed to be 'irresponsible', that job is so not for you either, little bro. But hey, if you want to make Mom proud, I'd recommend working for Camp Bubble." she flip the piece of paper over revealing a long list of jobs within the campgrounds. "They have many positions other than being a caretaker too. I'll leave the flyer in the letter basket in case you change your mind." she said as she and Robyn carried their belongings down the hallway.
" 'Ey 'ey, kiddo!" I heard the loud and manly voice from the screen door say. I turned my head quickly and was met with cheerful light blue eyes staring back at me. "Top o' ye mornin' ter ya! 'Oy is me favorite bookworm doin'?
"DAD!" I exclaimed before opening the door and running into his arms. "I missed you so much! It's been so long since I've seen you!"
"Aye, oi missed yer too, current bun. Where's your Ma at?" he asks as he scratched his short but wild, bright orange-red hair.
"There you are, you useless piece of garbage!" she yelled, scaring us both from our peaceful moment together. "Nonny, go outside and greet the neighbors while I have a talk with my ex-husband-"
"Wait, why does he 'av ter leave de room?" Dad cuts her off, not to agitate her purposely though. With the thought that I might never get an opportunity to be near my Father in probably another year or so, I stayed put.
"You don't want him to leave? Fine then." she calmly replied while adjusting her thin framed glasses. "So, you'd like to explain to the both of us why you haven't sent in the child support money?"
"Oi did! Ye tryin' ter treck me, Mary?"
"No I'm not trying to trick you! Nonny went out to get the mail this morning and came back with only three envelopes for some bills that I can't even pay for because you've forgotten to send in your child support money! You're scum!" she shouts at him. "How can I live a happy life without you if you keep finding stupid ways to sneak back into it?! I HATE YOU!"
Ouch… Mom always says the most harshest things when she's upset - wait a minute, did she say three envelopes? Three?! I thought I had… uh oh.
"M-Mom… I think I have left it in my bag. I probably forgot it in there." I said before going upstairs to look for it. Man, I feel like a total jerk for getting Dad yelled at like that… I should've been more careful with the only responsibility I have here. At least she'll have her money so she can be happy again. I returned with the envelope in hand and gave it to her.
Dad gave Mom the ol' smirk that use to made her blush redder than a strawberry and go into a fit of giggles. The two had use to be very flirty with each other and their bond was nice and strong. I remember she use to say he had a handsome grin that makes all the girls melt in their undies… whatever that means.
"Oi tink yer owe me an apology, Mary."
Mom shot him an angry glare. Judging from the look she's giving him, that old trick isn't cutting it anymore. It's sad to see his charm no longer have any effect on her as it use to.
"Get out of my house. I have a party to host and you have a door to hit you on the way out." she says as she pushed aside her medium length auburn hair, to clip on her gold earrings. They went well with her white and gold floral bodycon dress.
"Naw goodbyes? Nathin'?" Dad says, trying to spark another conversation between them. I silently begged my Dad to leave her alone but unfortunately I can't intervene or else my Mom will give me another lecture on staying out of their business.
Mom used both of her hands to shove my Dad out the door and slammed it behind her then she tossed the envelope in the letter basket. "Ugh! He's always using the girls as an excuse to see me. I hate him so much Nonny, you have NO idea!"
Why? I wanted to ask her. He's not a bad person at all. He had always been around to cheer me up whenever Mom gets too irritated or doesn't want to tell me anything to make me feel better again. Sometimes it's even unbearable to be near her nowadays and I often escape to my room to take break and maybe read a little. I can only do that for so long though, I can't live without my Mom - or her cooking.
"Mom, I'm going upstairs for alone time -"
"Seriously Nonny?!" she yelled, as expected. "This is exactly why I had told you to meet and greet with the neighbors earlier but noooo you decided to listen to your sorry excuse of a husband- I mean Father and stayed in the kitchen! Now they'll be looking at me as if I'm crazy when I mention that I have a son when you're not present!"
"Um… do what every other person would do and tell them I went in my room?"
"Enough talking back to me, young man! I am your Mother and you're staying here until you've fully acquainted yourself with each and every one of our guests THEN you can go to your room, okay?"
"Yes Mom." I said through gritted teeth, getting upset myself.
She breathed out and smiled, "Good. Outside you go." she ordered politely as she held my hand, leading me out the door.
Hours later the get together had almost come to an end. I felt like I've met nearly every person on the entire block as well as their kids who are either my age, older or younger. After meeting everyone like Mom originally wanted me to, she forced me to stay, claiming that it was inconsiderate to leave when my " new friends " just met me. The whole time I sat on the white plastic chair next to the food table and snuck a bunch of sandwiches and lemonade into my stomach since, you know, she haven't made me that breakfast she promised.
"Hey, I'm Justin! You're new 'round here, huh?" he says, holding out his hand for me to shake. This kid wore a straw hat on his head covering most of his short brown hair and had on a red button up plaid shirt. Standing next to him was a blonde girl with grass green eyes.
"Um… yeah." I responded, almost too quietly. I didn't shake his hand because I'd risk myself from germs.
"And I'm Courtney, his sister." the blonde headed girl added, her thick accent being southern. "I'm sorry for being tardy to the party. My friends and I were hanging out and it must've slipped my mind."
"It's ok." I said as I bit into my fifth sandwich of the day.
"So, uh, how do you like the neighborhood so far?" Justin asked, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. I could tell he was feeling uncomfortable about my silence. He has the same look everybody had given me all day. No wonder I don't have any friends yet. Oh well.
"It's fine." I said, wanting to go on and on about how wonderful this part of Bubbletucky is. I could ramble for hours about the delicious food stores that are within walking distance! But what's the point? They'll probably find it uninteresting or boring.
"Well, uh, what's your name if you don't mind tellin' us?" Courtney asked politely. My eyes moved to the right as I rubbed my arm. "C'mon now, don't be shy."
"M-my name is Nonny." I said almost in a whisper. I began to wish Dad was here with me. He's usually the guy that makes conversations like this so much easier. Now that I think about it, making friends without him has become… a challenge for me.
"Okay, Nonny, it was nice knowing ya. We'll be over by the uh, pool if you need us." Courtney says as she pulled her brother into her direction towards the adults drinking lemonade and laughing at what someone had said. "Let's git outta here while we have the chance. That kid is so weird." she tried to mumble under her breath.
"Courtney, he's not that weird. He's - "
Courtney spun around suddenly, becoming face to face to her brother with angry eyes staring dead at him. "Hush up, Justin! No brother of mine is going to take up for some loser, he doesn't amount to a hill of beans! Now can we please find our parents so we can git the hell out of here and never come back? I could've been hanging out with Laura instead of wasting my time at some peasant's house."
"Okay sis." was all Justin could say before turning back at me then tread slowly behind his sister out of our gate.
Wow. Its official. I suck at making friends. Not even five seconds in meeting those two and that blonde headed girl, whatever her name is, was already giving me a dirty look. I couldn't stop thinking about what I did wrong or what I could've done differently, it clouded my mind more than anything. For the rest of the party, I sat in silence, watching everyone else having a great time. Don't get me wrong, I dislike being the wallflower at any party so I attempted to wave at some of the other kids in hopes that that could spark a conversation without me talking but even that repelled them from me. Oh well. After the parents and their kids had left, I decided that it's time for me to be alone. Completely alone. I slipped through the back door and sneaked up the stairs, not leaving a single creak behind.
"That was a total bust," I hear Jennifer say from the living room. I paused and sat on the steps to listen further. Eavesdropping is not something I usually do but I am way too curious about what went wrong during the party. Them, as well as the party guests left with smiles on their faces, including the brother and sister I've met earlier. My mom and my sisters were the life of the party.
"My son, my poor son is antisocial. He never wants to interact with anyone anymore ever since I divorced Breck. This is all your Father's fault!" Mom cried out, slowly sinking into her seat as she did. The twins hugged her on both sides of her as she sobbed, resting their heads on each of her shoulders as they jerk up and down at each sharp inhale.
"Ah Mom, everythin' is gonna be gran'. After al' we just moved 'ere. Give 'imself sometime ter fend people on 'is own." Robyn assured, handing Mom a box of tissue.
"Robyn, he gave such a bad impression in front of our neighbors. Almost everyone thought he was mentally disabled because he was just sitting by the food table staring into space. I was so embarrassed." she blows her nose into the tissue then sniffled. "Didn't you hear what they said about him, girls? I was this close to kicking them off my property!"
"Mom, it's okay. There's no need to shout. He can probably hear you." she said in a low voice, almost making it hard for me to hear.
Mom let out a loud scoff, "I doubt it! He's always in his room isolating himself from the world! Avoiding you two and avoiding me! I absolutely hate it!" she yelled then calmly sank back into the couch staring up at the ceiling. "I just want my son back. He is not how he use to be."
Somehow… this is my fault the party didn't go as Mom wanted. Perhaps I should abide by Mom's wishes and go out and meet people instead of frustrating her any further with my "anti-socialness". This is a new neighborhood, so there might be a chance that I can find a couple of friends who are interested in the things I like or… maybe I can get a girlfriend, who knows. I know that'll surely impress my small family for sure.
But first, it's time for me go get a job. Maybe it'll be easier to make friends if I become close with some of the co-workers or maybe the campers my age who will attend. Alright… it's settled, I'm going to work at Camp Bubble! I'll sneak out the house and apply for the camp at the high-school, get hired then go home and impress Mom and the twins. Sounds easier said than done but I can do it, I know I can!
Right after a quick nap.
