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Chapter 2: Empty Suitcase.

Amy held the ticket for me. I know Charlie made it so it couldn't be resold. I didn't trust that Renee was sober enough to read that small detail. If I asked Charlie for another ticket, he would know just how bad it has gotten. I kept it in a locked file at the school for now. When summer let out, I didn't know where I could hide it so that Renee wouldn't have time to search.

Renee recently took the bank card I had hidden at the back of the fridge. Now I did not have a window to breathe when I got back from the wedding. If I did not start working full time at both jobs the moment I got home - well, I wouldn't have a home to go to.

I toweled off my hair. Thank goodness for school showers. I had to stop paying the water bill for a while. Thanks Renee.

"Girls, where are we going to celebrate being state champions?" The captain of the team asked.

"TGI Fridays!" A girl shouted

"Texas Roadhouse!" Another chimed

"Outback!" Someone suggested.

"Perfect, those are the three options! We will decide on the limo ride!" The team captain cheered.

My stomach grumbled as I thought about a real meal. I had been living off expired food and protein bars for the past two months. I lied to the team, saying it was because my Dad was getting married and I wanted to slim down for the occasion. The truth was, I just simply did not have enough in the account to spend on fresh food.

"Bella, you coming?" Coach asked as the rest of the team filed into the limo.

"Sorry Coach. I haven't packed enough to go to my Dads yet." I let myself sound as sad as I was. The school provided celebration dinner would have tasted amazing. I hadn't expected us to make it this far in the off season tournament. I couldn't wait to tell Charlie, though.

"Well then I owe you a meal. I will be there to pick you up and bring you to the airport." Coach held my gaze. I nodded. She was one of the only adults that had any idea that I was starving. I think she assumed I had an eating disorder. I wish it was an eating disorder some days.

"Thank you" I told her before running home.

I got home, knowing I was leaving the next day. I searched for our old suitcase. I had everything I was taking hidden around the house. I just needed to pack it so it all came with me. I heard the front door open as I placed the last of the hidden supplies on my bed.

"Renee, do you know where the suitcase is?" I asked after looking in all the places I remembered it being.

"Oh. Why do you need the suitcase?" Renee was jittery. I tried to stay out of the house when she was like this.

"Did we sell it?" I learned early on that I never accuse her of selling anything. If "we" do it she is more likely to give me a truthful answer.

"Yes we did."

I simply nodded my head and walked back into my room. It looked empty. Renee had been steadily selling the furniture again. Phil promised he was trying to convince her to check into rehab.

I made a deal with my coach before the end of the year to leave all my school supplies in her office. She agreed without questioning. Renee had attended a few games and had also been kicked out of the gym on those days. I had convinced the school that it wasn't that bad, so they had not called Charlie or CPS. I did not want to add stress, he was getting married for darn sakes.

I dialed Phil.

"Hello?"

"Hey Phil, it's Bella" I stuffed another shirt under my mattress.

"Hey Bella. Is she okay?"

"Yeah. I was just wondering if you had a suitcase?" That was a lie. She was not okay. I was currently hiding my clothing I wanted to pack from her. If she was okay, she would have been helping me pack.

"Shit sorry. No I don't"

"Okay, well then bye" I let the annoyance ring out in my voice a bit too much. I wanted to blame Phil for my mom's situation. Not that It was his fault.

"Have a good time at your Dads"

I hung up the phone. Phil had a chance to be a parent to me. Instead, he indulged my Mom. When they were sober it was a good situation. When one fell off the wagon the other followed. I hid the rest of my belongings in nooks and crannies around my room. If she found one thing she would not find everything.

Fuck. Tears threatened to fall. I had been slowly updating my clothing these past months so I did not appear as poor as I was. I did not want to embarrass Charlie. Now I was going to pack my shit in a garbage bag. Who the Fuck wanted a used suitcase anyway.

I wanted to hide the suitcase earlier. With how Renee was recently she would have accused me of running away. Even though she had months to realize I am going away for two weeks. She probably gave the suitcase away when she was high. The drugs convinced her to not trust her daughter.

I walked to the local thrift shop minutes before it closed. I have been coming here since I was a child. I found a retro suitcase. It had buckles, and a floral lining. It looked like what they used to bring on the ships.

"Hey Norine"

"Hey honey. I thought you were leaving tomorrow?" The middle aged woman commented. She still had her rollers in her hair. After this job she would go and strip at the local joint.

"I am. Hence the new-to-me suitcase." I smiled. I really liked this suitcase.

"Honey don't worry about paying"

"Norine, I need to pay you. I have some money" Pulling out my small change purse.

"Honey." She had sympathetic eyes. "I saw your Mom buying a baggie when I was on my way to work."

"What colour was it. Fuck. Not that it matters." I let my head rest on the suitcase for a moment.

"Need a safe space to stay? You can always bunk in the top room of the church if it gets really bad." Norine stroked my hair as she spoke.

"Thanks. I think I will just lock my room and pray she doesn't set the house on fire." I forced myself to stand up.

"If she does, please get out. Come here before you go, we will set you up with stuff."

"Thanks."

"Have a great trip to your Dads. Listen, If it is a better situation over there, just call. We will tell Renee."

Thanking her again I left with my leather suitcase.

I packed and stayed up. Three times Renee tried to come into my room. Each time she found me awake. Making an excuse that she wanted to tuck me in. I knew what she wanted. She wanted to know what of value I was taking to Charlies.

My eyes burned by the time my phone went off. Coach texted that she was 5 minutes away.

Gathering my suitcase, I walked carefully to the front door.

Renee was passed out on the couch. She looked so young when she was passed out. In moments like this, I could see the small town girl that had a dream. I just wish that dream did not introduce her to drugs.

Grabbing the food stamps out of the drawer and the help wanted page from the paper, I placed both on the table. Maybe she saw God when she was high this time. Maybe said drug God told her to get a job. One can hope.

I placed a blanket over her. Kissing the top of her head. She did not wake up. Would she remember that I was going to Charlies? Would she even remember me?

Pushing aside those thoughts I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the front door. Renee had lost the key weeks ago, so I did not lock it. Looking around once more, I hoped that I had a home to come to after this visit.

"Ready to see your Dad again?" Coach asked

"Yeah. This is a much needed visit. I just wish Renee was better." I confessed.

Coach was the only teacher that knew the extent of my mothers addiction. She had been the one to tell the other teachers to give me homework early. I was grateful. It was easier to do homework a week before it was due then on the day. Especially when I did not know what Renee would be like when I came home that day.

"That is a cute top. Is it new?" Coach asked.

"Yup. New to me at least"

Reaching over, Coach plucked the tag off it. I laughed. Glad that out of everything I could have forgotten, the tag was the only thing.

I thanked Coach for dropping me at the airport. She hugged me and told me to let her know if I needed a ride home.

The airport was huge. The ladies at baggage check looked at my historic bag like it was a retro fashion statement. I simply smiled. They did not need to know my situation. In fact, for the next two weeks I was not Renees' daughter. I was Charlie's. Maybe Charlie's Daughter would shop at thrift stores for the fashion trends, not for necessity.

Saying goodbye to the heat, I boarded the plane to the Pacific Northwest.

I walked through the small airport, looking for the baggage station. Charlie had spoiled me. He had paid for the meal service. That was an extra $20 on top of ticket price. It was a delicious microwaved meal. I ate every last bite. My stomach protested, expanding more than it had in months. It felt good.

My bag was the only one to look like it came out of the 1940's, so it was easy to spot. Pulling it off the conveyor, I popped it into a trolley. This is what it must feel like to go to Paris. I felt like a celebrity, pushing my cart through the hallways. These next two weeks will probably be the best two weeks of my life.

Authors note: What do you think is going to happen in La Push! Let me know in the Reviews.