Ninth Mistake
Percy
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Norfolk International Airport," a disinterested voice emerges from the intercom just as the roar of the engine shift to a hum. The murmurs of the passengers join the noise. "Local time is 5:29pm and the temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. For your safety and comfort...," I gaze outside of the luminous window as I tune out the noise. The plane is taxiing in a snail-like fashion, providing me ample time to observe the view of the scene outside.
The sun is still set high above in the sky, gleaming just as brightly when we departed. The orange glow, piercing through the window, shows twilight won't be seen till the next few hours. The scene that lays outside is the same display I have been encountering in New York ever since June had arrived. It should had invoked the same feeling as it is the same sun, yet the feeling I am experiencing right now is as different as night and day. Even the air I breathed in this cabin back when it is in New York feels distinct now that we have landed in Virginia.
Just over an hour ago, I was stepping in New York's soil. Just over an hour ago, I was hanging out with my friends, touring the city I grew up in. Now, I have arrived in a strange place, trying desperately to leave the heartache behind and hoping for a better life. I can feel the thumping of my heart inside my chest, beating forcefully against my rib cage.
"Nervous, Perce." I jump involuntarily just as my dad's voice suddenly reached my ears. I imagine my father took a liking on asking me this particular question in order to quell his own anxiety. His face is morphed in a wide grin, attempting to comfort me, however, his hard eyes betray his mask.
Not wanting to lie, I nod once in his direction before continuing to look back outside. A part of me wants to scream desperately for the aircraft to take off and fly us back to New York. That part of me wants to return under the protection of our old home. The same home where my mom could bake her famous cookies, filling our home with the fragrance of newly-baked pastry. The cookies that could calm my erratic heart and keep these nerves at bay. However, a heavy air surrounds me when a voice inside reminds me that that is wishful thinking. I can never call the house I grew up in, my home again.
My father must have noticed my somber mood hasn't lifted and decides to uplift my mood, "This is for the better," yet, his voice is unsure, doubtful if he is convincing his son or himself. I am not wholly positive that our rash decision could lead us to a better future but I know that this job transfer can't be worse than our option back at New York.
That option means that we will continue our lives with the people who betrayed us. Should it better to just forget about their mistakes and move on? Maybe. I think. Maybe if they would just go back to their old selves.
However, those people don't want to go back. They don't want us back and it hurts so much.
My consciousness keeps pulling out of my memory the confrontation that had decided where my relationship with Annabeth stands. The kiss is fresh on my lips. My heart soars knowing that she is my first kiss but plummets immediately after I remember her lips were cold against mine. The last two strings connecting me to her had been snipped by my unwanted kiss and by her push.
The threads holding me to my past grow thin. The last strings holding me to that place rest with Grover and Nico, but there is a huge chance in the future that those strings will be snipped away as well. There will be new things, new places to visit and new people to meet for me while my friends get accustomed that I am not a part of their life anymore. I exhale a huge breath, hoping with all my heart that will not come to pass.
"On behalf of Delta Airlines and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice evening!" I hear the captain's final drawl just as I sit back, waiting for the light of the 'Fasten Seatbelt Sign' to turn off.
As the cab rounds at the bend of the neighborhood, I notice the streets are almost deserted except for a few individuals whose eyes are following our car. Most of the people are probably out of the town already because of summer vacation. I take note of the surroundings, knowing I must memorize these new landmarks if I want to get around this neighborhood.
"We're here." My dad announces just as the cab halts in front of a huge house. My mouth instantly drops when my gaze falls onto it. An enormous handsome two-story house greets us, and one look at the building and I can practically hear it utter everything is new. The outside is freshly painted with a dark rich wood color with ivory-colored trims and columns.
"Are we expecting somebody else to live with us dad?" I ask him as I get out of the car, perplexity and amazement are quite clear on my face. I stand atop of the lush green lawn that seems like it was just mowed this morning. My father heaves himself out of the cab. I did not offer any help because I am still stunned at the sheer size of the house.
"No." He replies and then walks towards the open trunk. "Help me with the bags, Perce." He grunts while pulling one of the numerous belongings we had decided to bring.
I get out of my state of marvel and jog towards him to help. My dad is having trouble with one of the bigger bags and I help him carry the weighty luggage onto the ground. "I mean, it is quite big, dad." I add, taking more of the luggage and growing fatigued with each bag. "What are in these? Your corals?" I complain as I finish setting the last of the bags. He snorts at the idea but focuses on my prior question.
"Really?" He says as he slams the trunk into a close and claps his hand onto the car, signaling the cab. The taxi then drives off. "It's not that big compared to the other houses." He points out to the other structures.
"I suppose," I start while looking around the neighborhood and find that our house isn't that grand compared to some of the other houses, however, "It's just...Isn't it a little too big for the two of us?" Our house back home is a tad smaller than the one in front of me, so I thought this size is too much for us.
Dad frowns while looking at it. "I don't know. It's just a three-bedroom house so one for us and then just a spare bedroom."
My eyes widen in astonishment. "Seriously?" I exclaim. "This huge house is only three bedrooms?"
"Well yeah," he then begins dragging two of our luggage after shouldering a bag. I follow him as soon as I finished shouldering two backpacks and dragging a small baggage, the wheels making a loud rolling noise against the concrete. "I suppose the other rooms could become another bed room but I think you'd like to turn those into game rooms or something." He says nonchalantly while my head is racing with thoughts about the new possibilities.
I jog for a bit to catch up to him. "Really? Awesome!" I suddenly yell in enthusiasm. We arrive at the base of the porch. I look at the two columns and I unconsciously pull Annabeth in my head as I remember how much she likes architecture. I shake my head immediately, hoping to dispel her from my thoughts before it brings me down again.
My dad is about to comment about my actions but a voice made our heads turn. "Hello, there! Good evening!" An elderly man with a huge gut waves at us, his huge snowy beard muffling his voice a bit.
My dad steps in front of me and waves at the man. "Good evening. Although, I should still say good afternoon." They laugh good-naturedly. Summer hasn't officially started yet the days are longer and sweltering already.
"I guess you're right about that." He scratches his bald head. "The name's Heffy." The elder introduces himself. "I suppose you guys will be part of our neighborhood from now on." He points out rather obviously.
"Heffy?" I voice out uncontrollably, as I fix the placement of the strap of the bag on my shoulder.
"Short for Hephaestus but it's a mouthful for my tastes." He laughs in a booming sound and he puts his hands on the pockets of his overalls.
"Oh..., I thought we are the only one." I direct my statement to my dad and he just chuckles.
"Poseidon." He smiles at Heffy and the elderly man's eyes bug out before bellowing out a louder laugh, holding into his belly. Looks like Santa Claus. I thought to myself while watching the man.
"Oh boy, can't believe I've found another victim of Greek fanaticism." He wipes the tears away from his eyes. "So, is the kid the same as well?" My father smirks and nods.
"His name is Perseus. Percy for short." Heffy gives out another hearty laugh and we join with him as well.
"Well, I guess you people will fit right in." He says, laughter obvious behind his words. "I'll go now and let you guys be. Looks like you two have a lot to unpack." He gestures towards our bags.
My dad laughs as he adjusts his shoulder. "Yeah, lots of things to buy as well."
"Well, I'll be off now. I'll talk to the missus if we can have a welcoming party for you folks so you could meet the people around here." He suggests as he takes little steps.
"Well, that's very kind of you. Thank you." My dad set his foot on a wooden step of the porch.
"It's nothing." He waves his hand in dismissal. "See you around, you two."
"See you." My dad answers lamely.
"Bye, Heffy." I say as well. Heffy then walks away and my father and I climb the small stairs and walk towards the door.
"Well, that's nice." My father says, as he digs his pocket for the keys.
"Yeah, never thought I would meet another person who has the same obsession." I mutter. "We are so strange." He laughs at my remark.
"There!" He yells in triumph as he pulls out the keys of the house. "I don't even know what my father was thinking when he named all of us that." He says while picking the correct key from the four keys dangling on the chain. "Hades, Poseidon, Zeus. My dad is crazy, let me tell you." He recounts as he pushes in the key and turns it.
"Like you're any better, dad. Seriously. Perseus?" I deadpan.
"What? I thought it was good." He defends himself and finally pushes the door open. A large foyer greets us, its hard wood floor gleaming from a fresh wax. A dining room, that looks like it can sit twenty people, is located on our far left with a huge arch separating it from the foyer. A sitting room is situated on the right that feels like we are going to entertain a lot of people. I notice the chandelier hanging from the high ceiling due to the light reflecting from it. A balcony on the second floor is overlooking the foyer.
A wall separates the foyer from the living room with another arch as its entryway. The living room is already visible because of the opening and I can see a flat screen television backed against the wall. Carpet lines the living room floor and a door is located on the far right of the television.
The place looks amazing and I should be glad that I am starting my new life in such a great house. However, I can't help but reminisce about our old home and compare it to this one. While that house is more modest than this one, I can always call that place as a perfect home. A nagging feeling inside me keeps telling me that my dad is trying hard to make me forget about my old home. It feels like he is bragging that he can give out this grand gift. I was excited about the game room he was talking about but seeing this, seeing the house he bought. My mom's betrayal had changed something inside my dad.
I wish I can go back to that house. I wish that dad would stop thinking that he needs to set things right by doing all of this. I wish I could go back home. But this is home now.
"We don't have anything to put in the game room yet," his ecstatic voice brings me back to the present, "but once we do, I don't want to see you wasting the day on it, okay?" My dad reminds me while ushering me inside. "I want you outside and hang out with the other kids here."
"Okay, okay." I appease him, while putting my hands up in surrender and looking around the place. I grab my phone and take some pictures for good measure. I haven't told Nico and Grover we had arrived.
"You done taking pictures?" I nod. "Good. Now, the bedrooms upstairs. Yours is left of the stairs, the farthest door on the left." He instructs me while I text Nico and Grover. I am about to send pictures on messenger but I don't have any data. "You have your own bathroom so you better keep it clean cause I will not be the one cleaning it."
"Aww, come on dad." I whine.
"Perce." He says warningly. I sigh and nod in assent. "Anyways, there are some things we must buy, like food and some appliances but that's for tomorrow."
"Do we have internet or cable dad?" I interrupt him, wanting to send the pictures to them already or even watch some television.
"Hmm," he scratches his head, "you know. I think that should have been one of my priority."
"Daaad," I drop my hand to the side.
"You can survive Perce. It's just a day or two." He says and I fake being stabbed in the heart. "Stop being a drama queen, Perce. This is a good thing. You can go outside and meet the people."
"Eh, people." I say disgustingly. He then flicks me in the ear. "Oww, what was that for." I rub my ear furiously.
"For being a drama queen, Perce. Now, could you stop pretending like the earth is ending and can we just go out and eat?" He asks exasperatedly.
"Are we going to take a cab again?" I inquire curiously.
"No, I bought a car while I was looking at our house. Our car is in the garage...I forgot to leave it at the airport." He says when he sees a question is already forming in my mind. "Anyways, bring your bags to your room and get ready. We'll be leaving in fifteen minutes, okay?"
"Yes sir." I salute him which earned me a chuckle from dad.
"Come on, then. The stairs are just right there." He points at the direction of the living room. I am about to start walking but my dad holds on to the backpack I'm carrying.
"Shoes. Off now." My dad commands.
"But I'm just going to put them back on." I counter in a whiny voice.
"Off. Now." I mumble in annoyance as I kick off the shoes while my dad is clearly enjoying irritating me.
"There. Happy?" I ask, my face is morphed in a sour mask.
"Very. Now, come on. We don't have all day." Both of us walk towards the archway and I find the stairs behind it. I then trudge up the stairs with my dad following me. The chore is much harder than I imagine.
"Come on, Perce. I thought I am the old man here." He jokes as I am being slow climbing up the stairs.
I give him a glare as I huff, "You are the old man, dad."
"Up, now Perce. You've been carrying it since a while ago and you looked like you didn't have any problems."
"Ugh, I didn't have to carry it upstairs!" I whine. "Why is this stair so high?" Making my way up, one step at a time.
"Do you need help there, son?" A condescending voice can be heard from him.
"Nope. I am alright." I grunt, trying to keep my pride.
"You sure?"
"Yep."
"Are you really sure?"
"Shut up, dad." That earns a laugh from him.
After a while, I finally reach the top of the stairs and drop the bags unceremoniously. "YEES!"
"Seriously son, you need to hit the gym. I think that's what we are going to buy now." My dad jokes and I stick my tongue out. He laughs at my childishness. "Remember. Fifteen minutes only." He then heads right towards his room.
I grab my bags by the straps and drag it towards my room. I then open the door to my room and I'm surprised by what I see. I don't know what to feel or even say. I notice that my room is an almost replica of my old room. Even the sheets are almost the same. It's the complete opposite of what I am imagining what my new room would look like especially after all the new things in this house. I wonder if dad thought it's much better to keep some things the same.
I sit down on my bed and think about the people in New York. I think about the old times and how there are so many things I miss. By now, mom would have finished making dinner and they are probably eating. Since today is Saturday, Annabeth would be at our house, eating with us most likely. We would then watch a movie after until we fall asleep in front of the television.
However, all of those are just would be's and nothing more. I'm here now. They are there. There's no use remembering those memories since I have cut them off my life. I huff out and go to the bathroom and wash my face, trying to squash the reminiscent feeling I am having right now.
I begin formulating a text to Nico as I situate myself on the foot of my bed.
'Hey Nick. I'll send the pictures another time. My dad forgot to call in about the internet.' - Perce
I try waiting for his reply but I hear my dad already calling for my name, "Come on, slowpoke! I'm hungry, Perce!" My dad can be such a child sometimes.
"Dad, do I look like I'm underfed?" I ask my dad blandly when he stopped the car in the parking lot of Golden Corral.
"Yes. Yes, you do." He gives me a cheeky grin before getting out of the car. I sigh and get out of the car as well. "Besides, I am that hungry that I need a buffet to fill my stomach." He laughs and rubs his stomach at the same time.
I roll my eyes at his antics but I guess this is fine. It is far better than moping around like back in the hotel in New York. I guess we really need a new scenery.
"Come on, Perce. It looks like there are a lot of people today. We better hope we still have a spot." He then speeds walks, passing a couple of teenagers. I exhale in exasperation but smile, nonetheless. I follow him quickly, getting in line just right behind dad who looks excited.
"It's like you've never eaten in here before dad." I say as I wait patiently. On the other hand, my dad is fidgety beside me and I am the one who has ADHD.
"Son, the only food I ate in the last twelve hours are peanuts. I need food." He explains like he's going to die in the next few minutes. "Just look at those people eating." He observes through the windows. The line isn't that long but the line is moving slowly.
"Why didn't you eat lunch?" I ask while rolling my eyes.
"Well, I have no idea why I thought there would be food other than peanuts on the plane." He explains himself while craning his head like a kid.
"You could have bought something else if you were that hungry." I deadpan.
"You kidding me?" He looks back to me, scandalized. "Those prices are insane! The price I have to pay for this buffet is just the same as the snacks there!" He says indignantly.
"You're over exaggerating, dad." I sigh but I know he's got a point. I wouldn't dare ask dad to buy those food for me because of the prices.
"We should have gone straight here Perce." My dad groans as the line just moved barely.
"Yeah, but you forgot the car so that's your fault." I remind him and stick my tongue out. He does the same. Yep. That's my father.
The next morning, I am pushing a cart full of electronics that neither of us know how to use. "Do you think we need this?" My dad asks as he holds up a waffle maker.
"You should know dad since you love waffles." I say as I follow my dad. He told me that we are supposed to buy the essentials but I think he doesn't know what the essentials are. He is just grabbing things that he thinks that will be good for us.
"Hmm, good point." He then grabs the box and sets it inside our cart along with our ever-growing pile.
"How much are they paying you that you can buy all of this stuff dad?" I grumble.
"A lot." He grins at me and soon gets distracted by another appliance. I sigh as I think that this will be a long day.
"So that's hot dogs, bacon, hot pockets, pancakes, waffles, cookies, ice cream, chips...umm what else do we need?" I ask as I take inventory of the things we grabbed for our groceries.
"Umm," my dad is thinking hard, "Ooh, Ramen!" he exclaims and runs to who knows where. I look at our groceries and think that we are going to die early if this is what we're going to eat every single meal.
I then hear my dad walking towards me, holding a box of ramen and a tray of eggs. "We almost forgot eggs." He says, looking proud.
"Dad, I think we should buy something else. We're going to die early from these foods." I express my concern. "We need other food...like some meat or vegetables."
"What is this?" He says dramatically. "My son is willingly buying vegetables. This is a miracle!" I roll the cart away from my lunatic of a father, looking for something to cook.
"Aww, don't be like that son." He jogs after me and ruffles my hair. I reply with an annoyed grunt. "I just don't know if you can cook."
"Who says I'm going to cook? You're the dad, dad." I roll my eyes and continue searching.
"You're kidding? I survived college with noodles, son. That is the extent of my culinary skills." He reminds me since he always loves telling that story. I think for a moment for a solution to our problem.
"A cook book." I say and the two of us look at each other and grin. "This is so going to be a disaster." I say to myself, thinking about how we're such a mess in the kitchen.
"Dad, it says half teaspoon, not tablespoon." I reprimand my dad as I consulted the cookbook. I just saw him add a tablespoon of garlic powder.
"Uhh," he replies. "Well, I doubt we can taste that." He laughs nervously.
After buying a cookbook, we had decided to pick three meals we are going to cook and buy accordingly. We then picked up some kitchenware like ladles and such. After two hours of scouring Walmart like maniacs, we went home to try and cook spaghetti. We thought it would be easy. Well. Not for complete amateurs like us.
The whole place is a mess and the new kitchenware that we bought are all over the place. My dad has a cut on his finger when he was trying to 'dice' some tomatoes.
"How much salt should I add?" I ask when I stand in front of the sauce we are trying to make. I use the ladle to try and stir it.
"Umm," he reads the book with squinted eyes, "it says, add salt to taste." He says with a confused voice.
"How much is that?" I ask incredulously.
"I don't know." My decides to read the line over again. "I think it mean it's up to us."
"Seriously?" I deadpan. "We are not ready to make those kinds of decisions." He just laughs.
"Just add some, son." He then consults the book and read the next instructions.
I grumble silently, still not knowing how much to add. I grab the salt and add a small portion. "Hmm, isn't that too little?" I ask myself. I then add some more. "No. Still too little." I sprinkle a bit more. There. I thought to myself, feeling proud.
"I think that's it, Perce." My dad informs me loudly. "Just need to cook for a bit."
"Finally," I exclaim and covers the dish with the lid. I then go to the sink to wash my hand.
"Now Perce, you'll clean this up, right?" Dad tells me from behind and I look back in bewilderment. However, I unintentionally spray water at him. I had to smother my laugh as he looks like a drowned rat.
He then grabs a cup on the counter. "You are going to pay for that son." He threatens me and I run like hell out of there. I then hear him filling up the cup. "Come back here, Perce, and face me like a man."
I run upstairs, hoping I could hide in my bedroom. My dad is almost onto me as he takes two steps at a time. Before I could reach the doorknob, I feel a splash of water on my head down to my head.
"DAD!" I whine while he laughs uncontrollably. "I didn't mean it."
"Sure." He says while rolling his eyes.
"What? I mean it." I pout and he messes my hair again.
"Whatever you say son. Now go clean up the kitchen and watch the sauce, okay. I'm just going to clean up a bit."
"What?" I whine.
"Come on, son. I'm an old man. I need to rest." He acts like a granddad and goes to his room complaining about his aching joints.
"You're going to wash the dishes after we eat." I call after and he just laughs which leaves me grumbling as I make my way downstairs.
Before even reaching the kitchen, I can hear the lid rattling against the pot. I hurry to the kitchen and I see the sauce bubbling and spilling onto the stove.
"Oh man," I say and quickly run to the stove and shuts it off. I take off the lid promptly right after. A lot of the sauce has already spilled on the sides and the sauce is barely enough for the two of us.
"DAD!" I yell. No answer. "DAD!" I yell some more. "DAD! DAD!"
I hear the door open with force. "WHAAT?" My father yells back, irritated.
"Could you come down here?"
"Why?" He asks but I can hear his heavy footsteps even against the carpeted steps.
"I think we need to bring out that ready to bake pizza." I say while looking down at the spaghetti sauce. I guess there was a reason why we didn't cook the pasta yet.
"Why?" My dad rounds up the corner and finds me looking at the pot. "What happened, Perce."
"I may have or may have not forgot to turn down the heat." I say to him guiltily. He sighs and goes to the refrigerator and takes out the pizza.
"Don't burn this." He deadpans and leaves me alone to bake it.
"I love pizza so much." My dad says with a nearly undiscernible voice, his mouth full of cheese.
"I know." I say, not faring much better. "But I think the pie in New York is better." I add after munching on my current slice.
"Yeah, I suppose so." He admits. Ironically enough, he is about to get his fourth slice. "But pizza is pizza." He gives a huge bite on his food. I grin at his proclamation.
"So dad, when are you starting on your new work." I ask, drinking half of the water in my glass. I then proceed cutting off a slice of the pie again.
He swallows before answering, "It's Monday tomorrow, Perce." He reminds me.
"Oh, right."
"Enjoying summer too much?" He inquires with a sly grin.
I shake my head and denies his claim, "Nope." I chew my food exaggeratedly.
He laughs before dusting off the crumbs from his hands. "Well, I guess I'll have to sleep soon. Have work tomorrow." He winks at me and delivers a devastating blow to me. "And you my lucky son is going to clean the kitchen."
"What?!"
"Take out the trash as well." He stands up and leaves me alone in the kitchen.
"DAD! This is not what we agreed on!" I yell after him and I just hear him chuckle which lead me to grumble in annoyance. I then look at the sight of the kitchen and I gulp in nervousness. 'We should have bought the pizza in the first place.' I reprimand myself while looking at the burnt pizza I tried to make early on.
It's already midnight and I can't sleep at all. I keep turning on my bed, not getting comfortable.
"Ugh!" I yell in frustration. I look at the time and see it is 12:31 am. I groan once more before dumping a pillow on top of my face.
After about six seconds, I sit up straight. Exhaustion and annoyance is clearly defined in my face. I get out of the bed and head straight out of my room. I decide to head downstairs to get myself a glass of milk and to turn down the temperature.
Once I get back to the kitchen I meticulously cleaned, I open the fridge and find that it is overflowing with food that I feel like that we won't be able to eat on time. I roll my eyes at our impulse buying back at Walmart. After a bit of rearranging, I am able to get the milk out of the fridge and pour myself some milk. I then walk towards the living room to fiddle with the thermostat.
'No wonder I feel so uncomfortable. It's freakin' 78 degrees.' I think incredulously. I push the down button furiously on the thermostat. '60 degrees. Perfect.'
I head upstairs, with a glass of milk on my hand and I am about to turn left when I hear something from my dad's room. I walk towards his room and press my ear on the door and I wish I hadn't.
With dad's endless energy, I completely forgot that dad is still heartbroken because of mom. The sound of his sobs reverberates inside his room.
