The sunlight cut through my room like a butter knife as I slowly opened my eyes to the sound of birds chirping outside my window, I sighed, glancing over at my digital clock... it read 8 o'clock, I sighed again and decided it was time to get ready for the day. I stumbled out of bed and changed into blue jean shorts and a dark shirt. After I had changed I left my room, but not before looking over my calendar to see if there was anything special going on today, and it was clear. Today was in fact my birthday! I knew my mom would have something planned at last. I trotted happily into the bathroom to look in the mirror—I grabbed my brash and began 'taming' that wild mane I called my hair, I brushed it out then put it up in its signature look (a ponytail) I shrugged. Unlike most girls, I don't really care how I look.
"It'll do," I thought before walking into the kitchen to feed Sunny, the puppy that my mom and dad got me. I watched her munching away happily as I walked into my mothers' room, "Hello?" I whispered, the light was dim in her room, but I could still see the sallowest of a sleeping figure, I sighed "looks like she's still sleeping" I thought, walking out the doorway... great my mother was still sleeping on my birthday! I grabbed an apple from a bowl in the kitchen and snacked on that while I sat on the couch. Sunny decided to join me a while later which I didn't mind, no animal can resist the smell of food. She tried to take the apple from me by standing on her hind legs and leaning on me as she tried to knock me over so she could snatch the apple from my hand, holding it over my head I whispered said "don't even think about it" surprised that my voice came out in a more kind of challenging tome.
In no more than a second she lunged for it, to my shock Sunny gabbed the apple and ran "Come back here" I commanded, I must have accidentally yelled a bit 'cuz I saw my mom standing in the archway between her room and the den not too soon after.
"Hello Annabelle" she yawned,
"Oh, hello mom... did I wake you? Sorry about that—I was just eating an apple on the couch when Sunny came over... I didn't mind at first, but then she ended up taking it from me"
"I was wondering what was going on in here"
"Sorry," I said, looking down with my hands clamped together behind my back in shame.
"It's okay" she reassured me as she patted me on the head, "I think I'm going to go make some coffee" she yawned, moving in the direction of the kitchen. "You want anything?" she asked once she'd poured herself a cup.
"No thanks mom, I think I'm just going to get myself another apple" I replied, after wrestling with Sunny for about 20 minutes.
"Okay sweetie, after I've got a BIG surprise to tell you about"
"Okay mom" throwing the slobbery apple away, I reach into the bowl for another. This time I sat at the table and ate, not trusting Sunny. After I had eaten, mom instructed me to go and sit on the couch between her and Sunny, I obeyed...
"Okay" she breathed, "now Annabelle—" she bit her lip as if rummaging in her head to find words. "I—I don't know how you're going to take this, but—you...you still love horses don't you?" she asked with concern,
"Yes" I could feel the awkwardness in my tone, "I've always loved horses—you know that... don't you?
"Yes, yes I do" she reassured me, "But, I—I..." she bit her lip again. "Do... do you know..." I frowned, wondering why this was so hard for her to admit I replied, "It's okay mom, you can tell me... I'll... I'll understand" at that she smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, well... have you ever hear of an island called Jorvik?"
"Jorvik?" I pondered, rubbing my chin. "No... no, I don't believe so"
"Well... it's an island full of horses and I've done some research and found out that there's a summer camp on the island that's affordable for us, and I've talked to the owner and he said its fine for you to come and just do chores around the barn, and maybe meet some new friend along the way"
"Oh, a summer camp...? You mean you want to send me away?"
"Oh, no...no, no, no—that's not exactly what I meant"
"For the WHOLE summer!?"
"Yes, but listen..." she took my hands, placed them in hers, and softly petting them.
"Listen! To what?"
"Annabelle, I'm trying to tell you that we're... we're—we're" I could see tears starting to fill her eyes. "We're moving" she squeaked softly.
"We're WHAT" I screamed enraged,
"Annabelle please, you're scaring the dog" Sunny ran across to where my mom was sitting on the couch.
"Sorry" I yelled, running to my room, tears streaming down my face.
"Annabelle..." my mom called after me, I refused to hear her as I ran and ran... as soon as I reach my room I walk in making sure to slam the door behind me.
"We're moving...great! Some birthday present..." I thought as I walked over to my bed, sat with my back against it, pulling my knees up to my chin I mumbled "Happy birthday to me" before I buried my face into my knees and cried. I cried for about 15 to 30 minutes when I heard my door creak open, I heard my mother walking very slowly. Kneeling down beside me she stroked my hair saying "Annabelle... " I slowly lifted my head.
"What!?" I sniffled, "Are you going to tell me something like... oh, let's see... a new job opportunity or something... and that's why we have to move?" I inquired harshly.
"Oh, no...no, no, no—I—well, I just thought that-" she cut herself off.
"That what?—that I wanted to leave my friends... and what about the dog... and—and ALL my other stuff. My room, my bed, all my horse stuff... everything!?" I cried, lowering my head toward my knees again, my mother stroking my hair.
"Oh, is that what you think is gonna happen?"
I only lifted my head and nodded.
"Oh... well, you can write to your friends every day and you don't have to worry about the dog and all your stuff... we'll just simply take everything with us—sound good?
"Umm-hmm" I smiled, she always knew just what to say to make me feel better.
"There you are my little sunshine... umm... would you like me to sing the song or are you okay now?"
"To tell you the truth mother I'm okay... but, I love that song and the way you sing it so much that I want the song please"
"Very well then" my mother knew what I needed first, "Sunny, oh Sunny" she called, and just like that Sunny came bounding in and sat in my lap. "Okay then, everybody ready?"
"Yes"
Sunny barked her response.
"Okay then, let's get started then shall we: You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies and gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away..."
My mother looked down at me and frowned wondering if she should continue, "Mom, what's wrong? There's more to the song... isn't there" my eyes twinkled with wonder.
"Yes sweetie, there is—but-but... I'm not so sure I should continue with it...it...it's kind of... depressing"
"Oh, well... I can handle depressing"
She chuckled "well okay, if you're sure"
"I'm sure"
She chuckled again, and began on the last verse. "... the other night dear while I was sleeping... I dreamed I held you in my arms... when I awoke dear... I was mistaken... so I hung my head and cried"
"What...what happened to her mom?" I cried clinging to her arm as if a small child.
"I'm... I'm guessing the person... d... died sweetie"
"Oh, kind of... umm... like dad did many years age...?" I said quietly.
"Yes, yes sweet girl... exactly like that"
"Oh..." I said, slightly sobbing.
Scooting closer to me, she said "I know baby, I know... after all these years-" she cut herself off, instead she just sat there rubbing my arm.
"It... still... hurts..." I wailed, completing her statement.
"I know... I know..." she soothed, "that's why I'm hoping this move will help... with this"
"But... I—I don't...want... to...I...no- I just...I...I...I"
"Sssh..." she soothed, rubbing my arms.
"Thank you" she heard me sniffle once I calmed down.
"No problem" my mother replied, "Anything to help...now Annabelle, why don't you want to move now?"
"I...I... I don't... want... to...umm...to...to"
"Easy, easy..." she soothed, "no need to get worked up again... now, forget what?"
"Forget... forget... h...him! Forget him!" I screamed,
She sighed "oh, so you think that by leaving this house and moving somewhere new is like saying that we'll forget all about your father"
"Y—Yes" I sniffed,
"Oh dear..." she breathed, maybe this move wouldn't be such a great idea, after all, I thought getting up.
"Mom? Mom, what's wrong mommy?"
She sighed, it's the first time I called her 'mommy' in a while. "Nothing honey" she reassured, "Hey, you called me 'mommy' again instead of 'mom'" she chuckled, "Why is that now?"
"I just want to know what's on your mind, I guess" I shrugged. "Did...did I do anything?"
"No, no... I... I've just been thinking—if this whole move idea is causing you this much stress and to become a bit of a worry wort, then there's just no point in this move at all" she explained,
"Oh..." she heard me whisper, "Mom, I'm sorry... I...I want to go"
"You do... you really do?"
"I do"
"Thank you" she hugged me,
"No problem" she replied as soon as I let go.
"Oh, did you look on the calendar lately?" I asked, tugging at her sleeve.
"No, I haven't gotten a chance to—why?"
"Oh... no reason, it's just that I glanced at it and notice that today is...my birthday!" a big grin began creeping across my face.
"Oh, well... happy birthday then," she said nonchalantly.
I couldn't understand it, here I was turning 17 and my mom acted like she...she didn't even care. I felt hot tears start to well up inside, but I blinked them away hurriedly, "No more tears," I thought to myself,
Mom obviously saw this and reassured "Oh, I...umm... I have two or three presents for you here... and one that's waiting for you"
"On the island?" I questioned, "Is it a horse?"
"Well... ummm... we'll just have to wait and see"
"Oh..." I sighed quietly.
"Do you still want to move?"
"Umm... I...I... ugh, I guess so"
"That's my big, tough, 17-year-old" she smiled at her compliment.
"When are we going to go open the presents?" I asked.
"Well... why don't you go and pack up all your stuff first..."
"Sure thing, although... I may need help with moving the mattress on my bed and the pillows, sheets and frame too... oh, and just some other stuff such as my photos albums and books"
"Okay, well... I'll be back in a little bit to help—in the meantime can you get started in here?" she asked sweetly.
"Yes ma'am" I answered, "Oh, but first..." I walked over to her desk and grabbed her camera. "Can you take some pictures for me?"
"Yes I can... where?"
"Oh, I don't know... where are you heading right now?"
"The attic... I'm just going to clear out old boxes"
"That's great!" I squealed, "Can you take some before and after shots please"
"Hmmm...why?"
"Well, because... I—I just thought that... Well, when we get to the new place, that we'll want to put everything back into its proper place... and then I thought that the pictures were a good way to do that, am I right mom?" I asked,
"Yes," she sighed.
"Can we do that?" I asked, a tear began to roll down my cheek.
"Yes, we can!"
"Hmm..." I smiled, "thanks, mom!" I cheered as tears started to full.
I sighed, "What's wrong now?" my mother asked puzzled.
"Oh, nothing... it's just... would it be okay if you don't sing to me anymore?"
"Yes... but why? What wrong? I thought you loved it?"
"I do but...I... just think it...it would be best if..." I bit my bottom lip through tears. "I...I...mean I'm 17 now mom, isn't that song a little babyish for a girl my age?"
"Well...I...I would have to say..." Hmm, this was a tuff nut to crack, if she wanted to know the truth...well, I'd have to agree with her— that song was a little young for her. But, on the other hand... if the song made her feel safe—and it seemed to do just that. Then...well... maybe... it was worth hanging onto for a few more years, but you know... it's her call.
"Well... I don't know Ann, I mean... yes, I agree it's a bit young for you...but I think the question here is: What do you think?"
"Well... I...I, it's a little over to that side I guess..." she sighed
"But...but, on the other hand...it makes you feel safe—right?"
"Yeah"
"So... what's the verdict? What's your final decision gonna be?"
"It... so... if it makes me feel safe and good—I won't have to give it up?"
"No..."
"But, what if... someone hears?"
"Hears what, the song?"
I nod,
"So... what does that matter?"
"They... they could start laughing..."
"At who? At the song? At you?"
"Well, umm... actually both" I sigh,
"Oh...oh, baby they wouldn't"
"And another thing... they could start making fun of me, calling me 'a baby'
"Wow! Well... I can already tell you that if...IF anyone there hears that song... and if they want you as a friend... then they won't laugh"
"Thank mom!" I hugged her,
"Now, I'll go take those before and after shot for you of the Attic, Kitchen and Dining room, then I'll come back and help you with your room, in this case just...just leave everything exactly where it is... for the 'before' picture"
"Okay, mom" I replied as I watched her go.
I waited around in my room until she returned, once she returned she handed me the camera.
"Take a look at the pictures and see what you think. Gosh, I hope they're good enough?"
"Depends, how many did you take?"
"Well... I don't know—maybe like 10 or 15"
"Of each? Well, yes... does it matter? Oh... sorry I forgot to ask about the film... do you have... or will you have enough?"
"Enough? Yes... I believe so—I made sure to get unlimited storage"
"Unlimited Storage... for unlimited pictures?"
"Yeah, I plan on uploading all of them to Facebook, so my friends can see them all and comment on them so they'll know when I move"
"Can't you just tell them you're moving?"
"Well yes, but... I plan on telling them all about the move in detail... put more as we get more into it"
"Oh, okay... and this just seems easier?"
"Yes... all my friends have Facebook"
"So... if I had a Facebook... would you friend me?"
"Hmm..." I thought about what my mother said as I looked through the photos she took. "Yes..."
"Yes, you'd friend me if I had a Facebook?"
"Sure" I replied as I scanned through the pictures.
"Okay, I'll go and make one—it may not be until after we move though"
"Okay, mom... I don't think I'll have time to until we move anyway"
"Okey sweetie," she said, handing me the camera, "I'll be in the other room packing the rest of our things if you need me"
"Okay mom" I replied,
Once she left the room I started to take pictures of everything in my room, my room currently had posters nearly overlapping on every wall. Posters of barnyard horses and racing horses of all different breeds lined the wall, there were even some favorite movie posters of mine mixed into this poster crazed madness, I carefully took the posters off the walls one by one after my mom helped take a panoramic picture of them all, once I got to the movie posters I stopped.
"Mom, I need another box," I said, turning to her.
"Okay, I'll be right back," she said, hurrying out of the room. I had just worked on putting the last of my horse posters in the brown box clearly labeled 'Horse Posters'. When she came trotting back carrying two big, brown empty boxes "Well, here ya go" she replied, setting them down next to me.
"Thank you" I replied, taking out a black permanent/sharpie marker, kneeling down I wrote 'Movie Posters' on one and 'Breyer Horse Collection' on the other. I carefully took down all the movie posters starting with Harry Potter, Aladdin, Mulan, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and many others. Once I came across Rise of the Guardians I stopped dead in my tracks and whispered "I'll always believe in you guys, no matter what"
After taking about a dozen pictures I gathered all my posters, books, art supplies—basically all of my things; I then asked my mom to help with the stuff I couldn't get by myself.
"Sure thing" she replied, helping me get the rest of my things together.
As we packed up the rest of our thing I heard a truck began to pull up. "Mom, what's that?"
"Oh, looks like the moving vans here" she exclaimed,
"Moving van?"
"Yes, we have so much stuff that we're taking with us that I've decided this is the best way to haul it all"
"Okay," I shrugged,
As we loaded the car I had a thought, "Mom?"
"Yes?"
"You did call the school right?"
"Which one?"
"What do you mean which one?"
"Oh, did I forget to mention that you're going to be attending school in Jorvik?
"Ummm... yeah" I replied, with a roll of my eyes.
"Oh, sorry," she said hastily.
"Whatever" I shrugged. "Anyway, the school I mean is the one here... you know: Austin High—where all my friends' go, I'm a straight-A student there and since you just told me about this now I haven't told any of my teachers..." I exclaimed, beginning to panic.
"Don't worry Annabelle, I called the school, they know" she took something out of her purse once we got back inside.
"What's say we open those parents?"
"Sounds good" I bite my lip.
"Anna... what's wrong?"
"Oh nothing" I replied, "It's just... I wish I could have said goodbye to all my friends here"
"Well, who's to say you can't," she said, handing me a small brown package.
"Huh?"
"Open it" she edged, I obeyed—carefully tearing at the brown paper.
"Whoa, an iPhone 6"
"Look at the case I picked out for you..." she pointed at a group of items which consisted of a phone charger, earbuds, and a brand new phone case.
"Umm... thank you" I replied,
As I opened the next present my mind raced through an endless list of what it could be... and the package revealed:
"OMG mom, wh—where on earth did you find this stuff?" I squealed, hold up every new Breyer horse I saw.
"Heehee" she chuckled, "would you believe it was a mixture of Amazon and this new site I came across called Redbubble" she finished.
I just stared at her completely shocked,
"Now keep digging, there's more in there" she smiled as I carefully place each Breyer horse down beside the box. I kept searching thou the box until I came to...
"Oh, my gosh mom! More Rise of the Guardians stuff" I exclaimed, taking out some shirts, buttons, posters, stickers, books, an art book, a couple of pillows, a few plush toys, and every phone case known to mankind.
"Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU" I squealed, hugging her. "You're the best mom ever" I proclaimed.
"Aww, thank you" she replied, once I let go. "It was nothing..." she started.
"It was so to something" I argued,
"Okay..." she said, "now—I've got one more present here for you, you can open it now and then text your friends"
"Okay, it's a deal" I replied, as I carefully ripped through the box mom handed me. it revealed more Breyer horses, but this time all the horses had something different about them.
"Mom?" I looked at her.
"Ah yes, now these model horses came all the way from the island of Jorvik"
"Wait, so you've actually been to the island?"
"Well no, not exactly..." she started, "see I talked to the owner of the Stables, around the same time that I told him you were coming—and he agreed that since you've never seen the island, that you might want to have something from the island before you arrive"
"Thank you mom, this is the best birthday ever, and... wait, they have a Breyer horse store in Jorvik?"
"Yes, and its stores... as in multiple"
"Wow, as if I thought my horse collection couldn't get any bigger" I exclaimed, a huge smile slowly crept across my face.
She laughed "I'm glad you like them" she replied, "now go and text your friends, I'm sure they'll be happy to hear from you"
"Thanks, mom," I said, standing up as I kissed her on the cheek before leaving for the direction of my now empty room.
Thankfully I still had my old phone plugged in, I quickly powered it up as I got ready to text my friends.
I quickly sent a group text out to all my friends.
...
"Hey did you hear the news?" I text out to Nicole, Danny, Ella, Patty, and Minnie.
"Yeah" Nicole texted back.
"How depressing" Patty replied.
"We'll miss you, good luck in your new life" Ella replied, adding a crying emoji.
"Thank you" I replied, tearing up myself.
"Hey, before you go, isn't today your birthday?" Nicole asked.
"Yup" I replied with utter confidence.
"Can we come over?" they all asked.
"Umm, depends... why?"
"Because I have a birthday/going away present for you" Nicole informed me.
"Me too" Ella and patty replied.
"Hey don't forget about us" Danny and Minnie replied,
I was overjoyed, "Hold on guys, I'll ask" I texted.
...
I ran back to the living room where my mom was now sitting on the floor.
"Mom, what happened?" I asked puzzled.
"Oh, the movers loaded the couch into the truck"
"Whatever" I shrugged, "Is it okay if my friends come over, they just have some gifts for me?"
"Okay, but we're leaving in two hours, will that be enough time?"
"More than enough, thank you" I squealed, hugging her.
"You're welcome" she replied.
I ran back to my room and immediately texted "Yes" out to the group. Follow by a really excited "We have two hours!"
...
"A whole two hours, are you joking?" they all texted at once, I giggled.
"No it's true" I replied.
"We'll come over right away" they exclaimed.
"Okay," I texted back, excitedly.
After our little chat, I set my phone down gently and signed, it was going to be a sad visit when they all come over and see our nearly empty house. We all lived close to each other I knew they didn't have far to travel,
The doorbell rang twenty minutes later, I open the door to see all my friends had arrived. "Hi," I said with excitement,
"Hey Annabelle, glad we caught you before you left"
"Yeah, two hours before" I squealed with excitement.
"Well here, this is for you," Nicole said handing me her gift.
"Thank you" I replied, hugging her.
"No problem, anything for my best friend" she smiled.
I smiled back, as she stepped through the door. Behind her stood Danny, Patty, Ella, and Minnie—all holding presents.
They each stepped through the door, wondering where to set them.
"So where should we set these?" Minnie piped up.
"Oh, I just set Nicole's on a nearby table," I said, "You can set yours there too" I replied, pointing to the dining table.
"Cool thanks" they all exclaimed,
"I'll just tell my mom you guys are here, I want her to be apart of this too"
"Okay"
...
I walked into the living room where I found my mother, "Mom, my friends are here, do you mind going and getting the camera?"
"No, I don't mind at all," she said, running to get it.
I walked back to my friends, "grab the presents and follow me into the living room"
"Okay" they obeyed, we walked into the room, setting their presents down on the coffee table.
We sat on the two couches, my mom; ready with camera in hand—I waited eagerly on the couch, wondering which gift I should open first.
"Here, open mine" Nicole said, eagerly.
"Okay" I replied, taking the gift.
The gift was wrapped in bountiful golden paper with horse-heads all over it, I ripped it open to reveal a beautiful Breyer horse and an art set.
"Thank you so much!" I screamed, hugging Nicole.
"You're welcome, that Breyer horse is modeled after Secretariat; I know horse much you love to go fast on horses"
"Thank you!" I hugged her again, "Did I ever tell you..." I started.
"That you wanna be a Jockey. Yes, I know" she smiled; I was surprised she knew the answer. But not that surprised; I had mentioned it once or twice—give or take a few.
Next up was Danny's, I grabbed his gift of the table—with was just a bag with tissue paper in it.
I opened it to reveal a necklace which consisted of a horse inside of a big D.
"Aww Danny, it's beautiful"
"I just thought you needed something to remember your first boyfriend by"
"Aww, thank you"
I let him put it around my neck, "Thank you, I'll always treasure this" I replied, hugging him.
Ella and Minnie each give me a different set of Breyer, along with a horse-themed book.
"Thanks, Ella," I said, looking down at the Spirit horse family.
"You're welcome Annabelle" she replied, I felt something else in the box, unfolding it carefully I gasped turning to her.
"Ella" I whispered, "how on earth did you know? That was supposed to be a secret" in fact, no one else knew of my love for movies other than my mom and myself.
"Your mom told me, besides I was out of ideas"
"Oh..." I replied—staring back down at The Polar Express posters, I came across the DVD and book; I knew it was only meant for little kids... however, I was absent on the day that we were going to read it in Elementary school so I never really gotten to see the difference between the book and movie.
"Umm... thank you," I said, awkwardly.
"You're so welcome" she replied happily.
"You'll love what I got you," Minnie told me as I reached for it.
Once I grabbed hold, I ripped at it; until I came across a membership card for the camp along with a friendship bracelet, and a journal.
"Thank you," I told everyone one last time, "the gifts were great!" I tried to sound joyful through my cracking voice.
"You're welcome," they said, standing up—I walked them towards the door.
"We'll miss you..." they said, before breaking down themselves.
"I'll miss you guys too" I replied, my cracking voice finally broke me, "group hug," I said, hugging them all through tears.
I watched them go while Danny stood back, a few books in his hand
"Danny?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
"Yes?"
"You stayed back, why?"
"Well, I—I couldn't leave without giving you something first"
"You gave me the necklace" I replied, confused
"Yes, yes I did—but I just wanted you to have something more" he handed me the books "here"
I read each title aloud, "Stolen" "To Kill a Mockingbird" "The Crucible" and "Julius Caesar"
I looked at him confused, "Aren't these last two plays?" I asked him curiously.
"Why yes, yes they are—I know how much you like the witch trials... so I got you the crucible, it—it's like history combined with the fun of literature"
"That's true..." I acknowledged, nodding my head,
"... and I chose the other play for you too because—well, you know..." he stammered.
"Aww, you remember that one time in high school..."
"Yeah..." he blushed,
"We were reading this play and our English teacher assigned some of our schoolmates to read what a certain character said"
"Yes... and I was..." he cut himself off thinking.
"I think you were voicing the main character..." I replied,
"Ah, yes," he said at last, "and if I recall this right the teacher had some of the people who were reading that day go up to the front and reenact the scene-"
"I think it was just at the end of battle" I recalled,
"Oh, yeah—I guess you're right" he corrected himself,
"Well anyway, thanks for the books" I hugged him,
"Man, I'll miss you" he replied softly, as he kissed me on the forehead.
"I'll miss you too" I whispered, tearing up.
"Hey, hey—don't cry" he leaned in and kissed me on the lips.
"Th-thanks" I replied, blushing like mad.
"No problem, a pretty girl like you has no reason to cry"
"Hem, hem" I chuckled softly, "Well... thank you again"
"You're welcome, I wish you didn't have to go..." he replied, look into my eyes.
"I know..." I replied sadly, my head bent. "Hmmm..." I took a breath "I can't change what's already been done though..." I sighed.
"Don't I know it" he sighed to himself, "you can't change something that have no control over, no matter how much you want to; believe me, I've tried"
I sighed "Well, I guess this is goodbye..." I said, choking up.
"Yeah, guess so..." he replied sadly.
"Wait, before you go—do you know if you, Elle, Minnie, and Nichole have Facebook?"
"Sure, I believe we all do" he replied.
"Oh, I must have forgotten"
He chuckled with laughter as he embraced me in one last hug.
"Goodbye, I'll always love you"
"Bye," I waved as he departed. "Oh, I'll always be thinking of you too" I replied, closing the door.
I sighed, this just wasn't fair—was this really worth leave all my childhood friends just to make my mom happy? I mean: yeah, sure—it was an island full of horses, but was it really home? Was this actually worth anything?
I shrugged my doubts aside for my mothers' sake, it was the least I could do I figured.
"You can do this," I told myself. "Just fake it, if you have to" I walked back to the living room where my mother was waiting.
"So..." she started, "You got everything?"
"Yes..." I replied.
"You ready to head out?" she asked, grabbing her suitcase.
I cracked a smile, "think so"
As we made our way out to the car, I thought hard about my mothers' idea of moving. Had I overreacted? I must have.
"Mom?" I said, getting in the car.
"Yes?"
"About the move, I might have overreacted- just a little"
"Oh, don't worry about it; just relax and enjoy the move"
"Okay, I'll try" I settled into the back seat, listening to the music on my phone; trying to think of what our new home would be like.
The moving van followed behind us, as we reached the docks.
...
My mom slowly stopped the car at a toll booth, just outside the seaport—the booth looked like the ones you'd find in a parking garage.
"Good morning ma'am, and where might you be heading on this fine day?"
"To the island of Jorvik"
"Aww, one ticket for the island of Jorvik"
"Aham," my mother said, pointing back at me.
"Oh," I waved,
"Oh, I see..." the man said, "Make that two tickets"
"Oh, mom—don't forget the driver"
"Oh, right" she nodded.
"Huh?" the man scratched his head.
"Oh, she means the diver of the moving van behind us"
"Oh, you're moving?"
"Yep"
"Wow! Okay—so that a total of 3 tickets, that'll be $22.50"
"Whoa, a bit expensive for a ferry ride; isn't it?"
"It might be, but the island is so far out compared to all the rest of the stops our other ferries make"
"Okay, okay," my mom said; handing over the money, feeling exasperated.
"Thank you, madam, have a great day" the wooden stick-like drawbridge opened.
"Thanks, you too..." she replied,
"Oh, and I hope you have a great move"
"Thanks" my mother replied before driving away.
...
"Moving van coming through" the driver announced when he pulled up to the booth.
"Umm, that woman paid for your ticket; she'll probably give it to you aboard the ferry" the toll booth attended said,
"Thanks for the info sir" he replied, driving away.
...
I heard the car go over a bump on our way to boarding the ferry, I was immediately jolted to attention.
"What was that?"
"Oh sorry," my mom said, apologetically. "There was a bit of a speedbump on the ramp"
"Oh..." I nodded,
"But look... we're here, aboard the ferry" she pointed to a sign that read "Ferry to Jorvik".
"Well, shall we find a parking spot?"
"Sure" I replied,
We drove around for what seemed like hours until we finally came to a parking spot in the right-hand section of the lot.
After my mom successfully parked the car, I swung my car door open and hopped out, running over to the ferries' edge.
"Wait! Annabelle..." my mother commanded.
"What?"
"We need to wait for the moving van to board"
"Oh, okay," I said sadly, coming back to wait by the car.
...
I waited and waited and waited for the moving van for what seemed like hours. I thought he might never come within eyeshot of me and momma on the ferry.
"Moving van coming through" the driver announced, driving onto the ferry, backing his truck up to the parking space beside us.
Getting out of his truck—he greeted us, introducing himself as Mr. Sanderson.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Sanderson; I'm Miss Mysteryknight, and this is my daughter, Annabelle"
"It's nice to meet you both" he replied, "I don't usually have time like this to meet the people moving"
"Well, there's a first time for everything"
"Yeah, ain't that the truth" he chuckled,
I walked over to the Ferry's edge again and stared into the clear, blue-ish water bellow thinking about Jorvik. What was it like? Would I be able to fit in?
It wasn't long before I heard my mother yelling that we had arrived.
"Well, here goes nothing" I reassured myself as I walked over to my mom.
"You ready?" she asked,
"As ready as I'll ever be" I replied, getting in the car.
As we drove off the ferry I thought about the move again, "This will be a great thing to write about in my new journal" I thought to myself. "I'll start on it as soon as we get to the new place" I reassured,
I stared out the car window, watching the clouds as we turned onto a dirt road.
"Skews us, pardon us" my mom honked as the people on horseback quickly dispersed,
The car suddenly jerked to a stop as I admired the big gates in front of us.
"Okay, we're here" my mother announced, "Why don't you get out and have a look around while I figure out where we can park"
"Okay mom" I hopped out and got what little I could carry out of the trunk.
I waved as she drove away. After I watched her drive away, I turned to face the big metal gates. I noticed a sign just above the gates, "Welcome to Moorland Stables" I read aloud. Moorland Stables... what a great name! Now, to get inside. I looked up, the grates were already closed. What was I waiting for?
Nothing! I thought, running up to the gates—I pulled... or tried to pull them open; I was caught off guard by the rumbling of what sounded like a mini earthquake. I stumbled back, feeling really off balance... "What was that?" I questioned, looking around.
"Hey Annabelle" it was the moving van driver, I waved a greeting as he asked me what had happened to my mom.
"Happened? Something happened to my mom?" I laughed away the thought.
"Oh, you must mean where is she and why isn't she here with me right now?" I inquired.
"Yes, yes... now, where is she?"
"She went to find somewhere to park"
"Thanks for the info, Lil' lady" he replied.
I laughed, "No problem" I replied, turning back to the gates. "Okay, let's try this again" I sighed, spitting into my hands thinking that might help; rubbing them together, I grasped the heavy metal gates and pulled, I pulled and pulled until I was out of breath.
"That's it" I sighed, out of breath. "I'm done" I brushed my hand in the air gesturing that I had given up.
I walked over to a big rock and sat down to catch my breath—after about twenty minutes I stood up and walked over to the grate, laying my head down on that metal surface wondering if this was a sign that I didn't belong here.
I was about to give up hope when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. A big rusted lock—how long has that been there? I thought, examining it closely. Running my fingers along the edge until I found something of interest. A keyhole ... I NEED to find the key! Maybe I can flag someone down from inside.
"Yo" I called out, "Hello" "Is anyone there who could help me!?" seeing a person come into view I waved an SOS.
"I'm coming, don't worry" the girl reassured.
"I NEED the key to this rusty lock," I said, once she got close enough to the grate. "Do you have one?"
"Yes I do" she declared, take it out of her pocket and handing it to me.
"Thanks" I replied, placing the key into the lock—I turned it slowly and pulled. "Thanks for the key" I exclaimed, handing it back to her.
"No problem" she replied, putting the key back safely in her pocket, "Every one of us a key to this old gate"
"Great"
She smiled at my reaction. "So... anyway what's your name?"
"Oh! Well... my name is Annabelle, Annabelle Mysteryknight—I just moved here with my mom... she should be along shortly"
"Oh," she raised an eyebrow at me. "Well, welcome to Moorland Stables. My name May by the way"
"Well, it nice to meet you" I replied, shaking her hand.
"The pleasure's all mine ... now, when do I get to meet your mother anyway?"
"Anytime now" I replied, "As soon as she finds a parking spot; she's supposed to meet me here"
"Oh, okay..." she shrugged,
We talked for hours until we heard two sets of footsteps approaching. "I think someone's coming" May inform me,
"Oh goodie, that must be my mother!" I said, wait patiently for the sound to get louder.
I watched as my mother struggled as she approached the gate, a brown box took all the room in her arms.
"Umm, Annabelle... mined helping me with this gate?" she asked, seeming desperate.
"Sure mom" I replied, turning towards May.
"May I borrow that key please May?"
"Sure" she chuckled lightly, realizing my word-play.
"Thanks" I replied, "I'll give it right back" I reassured her
"Oh, I know you will" she replied,
I turned, rushing up towards the big, black grate.