The Aislin Chronicles
Part VII
A/n: Well, hello! Thanks for the reviews, I love them all! Okie dokers, are you ready for Part VII? I am. I've been ready for a while. Aislin totally lost her journal last time just so I could skip ahead a few days, hehe. Anyway, I had to re-write parts of this several times, that's why it took longer than usual. And I still think it's a bit corny, for the record. Well, Corn on the Cob's the special tonight, folks, so bon apetit!
2-9-03
2:12 PM
Well, today we (me and Sydney) went to have lunch with Francie at her restaurant. Syd asked about me staying with them while they go to France (because, she said, I'm being stubborn and won't go with them). I kinda felt bad since they apparently want me to come so badly, but then she turned her head and winked at me, which made me feel a little better.
Anyway, Francie started to say yes but then stopped herself- that time was when she and Will would be in and out of town in search of other places to expand the restaurant; she plans to start a chain. On one hand I'm happy she's going to expand, but on the other hand I'm sad I can't stay with them. I don't know who I'll be staying with yet, but we'll see.
2:17 PM
Lunch was yummy. I ate some sort of sandwich, but then I had some apple pie afterwards. Gotta love apple pie.
Ugh, I'm really bored now. There's nothing to do. Maybe decide what to write my report on? What's something I already know a bunch about? Irish history… Ick. No more of that. Those poor kids in future generations will be forced to take so much more history than we all have because so much more will have happened by then. But I'm sure by then they'll be teaching algebra two to third graders, so they won't know the difference.
Good God, am I that bored? I must be. In conclusion: no to Irish history. Let's try a different approach, maybe something I don't know anything about that I want to know about. Hmm. Not working. What sort of things do I like? I like the Beatles. And I like getting presents, and trampolines and these just will not do what am I thinking I am insanely bored ahhhhh!
Okay. Let's not think about that now. My hair is getting way too long. There's just so much of it and its wavy blondeness. It needs a trim.
2:30 PM
Maybe I was onto something with the Beatles. I could do like… Where they came from, and what led to Beatle mania and where they are today. I'll go ask Sydney and Dad what they think. And I'll see what I can do about that hair cut.
3:16 PM
What do you know, Syd cut my hair for me. It's short. I mean, really short, for me anyway. It's an inch or two longer than my shoulders. I can't even remember last time my hair was this short. She did a good job.
And the Beatles paper is a go. At least I know what I'm doing. Jess doesn't yet. Maybe I'll give her a call. Tell her about my hair and stuff. Later.
2-10-03
7:34 PM
I… Oh my gosh. I don't even know where to start. Just UGH! No! I AGH. Guess I'm not ready yet.
7:44 PM
Deep breaths, lots of deep breaths. Okay. Jess and Kathleen said that if I needed to stay with someone I was welcome to stay with either of their families. So I said "Sure!" all happy and in my yay-I-have-friends-now attitude and came home and waited for someone to come to ask them. Plus, Jess said I could borrow her hair straightener now that I have less hair to straighten and it's straightenable.
So Vaughn and Sydney get home together around 5:30-ish. We eat dinner, I forget about the Jess/Kathleen thing, we start watching TV. Someone in the show mentions Paris or France or something and Sydney says, "Oh, Aislin, while we're in France you can stay with –"
"Oh! Jess and Kathleen said I could stay at their houses."
"–My father."
Huh? "At Jack's?" My eyeballs must have been popping out of my skull. "He… He… Are you sure?"
Sydney nodded calmly. "Yeah, I asked if you and Donovan could stay with him and he said yes."
"Can't I stay at Jess's? Or- or Kathleen's?"
So now Daddy dearest has to put in his two cents. "We don't really know Jess's family, or Kathleen's."
"So?"
"So we'd feel more comfortable with you staying with Jack."
"But maybe if you'd call Mrs. Silko and just talked–"
"Aislin, you're staying at Jack's. And you'll still see Jess and Kathleen everyday at school." I wish I had the courage to openly mock her.
"But–"
"No buts, you're staying at my dad's while we're in France."
I gave a loud UGH and stormed away into my room. Going over it again just makes me madder. How can I possibly stay at Jack's? He HATES kids, I swear. I can still hear Sydney's voice. "Oh, Aislin, while we're in France you can stay with my father." Oh, Aislin, why don't you go jump off the balcony now and stab yourself several times on the way down. I don't want to bloody stay at bloody Jack's house. He's probably murdered people and buried him in his basement.
Well listen to this, Sydney: I'd rather be homeless for a week than stay at Jack's!
Oh oh oh, I'd just LOVE to hear what they're saying about me now. That pen must contain some pretty decent jabs at myself. I don't bloody care. I hope they go to France and never come back. I hope if they do come back that Jack's murdered me and buried me in his basement too. I guess that's where Sydney gets it from.
Ugh.
2-11-03
3:35 PM
I'm the most terrible person in the whole wide world. I can't believe I said those things last night about them, God, I don't mean it at all. I mean, yes, I still don't want to go to Jack's, but I'd die if they never came back from France! God, I'm such an ass!
I hate when I do this, I overreact about the stupidest things and then I say things I regret. Especially what I said about Sydney- I… I wish I could tell her I said that just so I could forgive her.
And I was so cold to them this morning. I didn't say anything. I didn't greet them, I didn't answer them when they asked me questions, I didn't say good-bye to Dad when he dropped me off. I didn't bloody tell him I loved him when I got out of the car. Oh, when do they get home? It's so long from now. I have to hug them and tell them I love them still and that I'm sorry for being horrible yesterday!
I listened to the pen. I can't believe myself. How could I have written such lies when they were being so sweet one wall away?
Right after I, Miss Pre-Teen Drama Queen, stormed off into my room, my caring and wonderful dad says, "Maybe I should go talk to her…"
"No," Sydney replies, so calmly and sadly at the same time, "we have to wait for her to come to us."
"But she's fuming in there. Can't I just go hug her and make it all right?"
"She's not five, Vaughn."
"I know! But I just want to hug her after that, okay? I haven't gotten into a fight with her before." I hate myself, he sounded so depressed. "I want her to understand that we're doing this because we love her. With our jobs anybody could just…"
"I know. Though I'm sure none of her friends' families are threats to her in any way." There was a pause; a long, heartbreaking pause. "I don't want to go to France if we have to leave her like this. I mean, how could we leave her? I can't stand seeing her angry, it reminds me too much of…" she trailed off, not completing her sentence. But I know what it reminded her of.
So did Vaughn. "It hurts me to see her like that too. How can I make her happy if she's mad at me?"
"Just love her."
"I do."
"So do I."
3:51 PM
I'm such a bloody idiot, did I mention that?
They'll never get home. I just know it. They'll die in a car accident or something and they'll never get to hear what I have to say.
3:55 PM
But that would never really happen.
3:56 PM
Right?
You know, journal, you aren't very practical when it comes to asking questions. Frankly, you just don't answer. Maybe – whoa okay I'm losing my mind, I was about to suggest a talking journal to myself. If Vaughn or Syd don't get home soon I'm gonna cry.
I have to… Distract myself, I guess. I'm gonna go bloody watch TV until someone gets home. What's even on now? Nothing. Agh I'm going crazy, I have to go NOW.
5:45 PM
Sigh. That's better. I still want to talk to Syd when she gets home, but I've at least talked with Dad. Oh gosh, I feel so much better now. Here's how it went down:
So I was on the couch watching TV, and I heard the door opening, so I turned and in walked Dad. I stared at him a moment, he stared at me. I couldn't tell at all what the expression on his face meant. It scared me. Then I jumped off the couch and ran to him and hugged him and nearly started crying.
"I love you, Dad," I told him.
"I know," he replied, patting my back. "I love you too." When I pulled away I must have been looking guilty or something because he asked me if something was wrong. I told him that when I went back to my room yesterday I wrote really mean things in my journal… I vaguely described them to him. He led me to the couch where he sat down and talked some more. I asked him if Sydney would be mad. "Aislin, we all know that you have a temper, and when you're mad, well, you're pissed off." I blushed, giving him a weak smile in my embarrassment. "But you're also very mature. And Sydney knows that. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Now go finish your homework, I'll tell you when Sydney gets home."
So now I'm just waiting for Sydney. Hmm. Maybe I'll take a stab at my math homework until then.
6:22 PM
So I kind of tackled her in the living room when Vaughn told me she was home… It was funny though. We fell on the floor and she was laughing, which made me start to giggle, but then I told her I was sorry about yesterday. She didn't even stop laughing when she said it was all okay and helped me up. I gave her another hug, this time without tackling her, but again I must have looked guilty or something (really, what's with my lack of controllable facial expressions?) and she said, "Really, kiddo, it's okay."
So we're all better. Dad asked me how school went (horribly, since I felt so angry all day), and we carried on as if nothing had happened. Sigh. I'm really going to miss them when I'm at Jack's. Hmm, Jack's.
6:27 PM
Shit.
2-12-03
8:13 PM
Day One at Jack's: almost over. Conditions: grave. Details: Syd and Dad finished packing after they got back from work, I got to packing too. For where? Jack's. The best bloody sleepover ever. Ha. I feel bad for Donovan too, he doesn't get a say in this at all.
Dad drove us over here around six thirty-ish. He gave me a hug and said he'd bring me back lots of goodies and kissed my forehead. Then Sydney came up to me. I stared at her with a look of uncertainty, she tried to smile back. "It's only nine days," she said, brushing my hair back behind my shoulders. Then they gave their good-byes we'll miss yous and then I watched them leave. I half expected it to be raining like in a movie or something. Jack's house is all big. I stood there by the door in the dark foyer with my bag next to me on the floor, and Donovan on the other side of me.
Jack stood farther ahead of us, the light from the kitchen behind him making him look more like a shadow. I could still make out the expression on his face, though. He stepped forward slowly, staring at us with slight disgust. I felt like a Jew and he was a Nazi. I felt like a slave to a plantation owner. I felt like I was Harry Potter and he as Voldemort.
"You're staying in Sydney's old room," he said with no tone as he whipped passed me and rounded the corner up the stairs. So I marched up the steps after him into the darkness. He also told me never to wander into his office. It reminded me of when the beast was leading Belle to her room. Donovan can be Lumiere. Or whoever. And I'm not allowed in the "west wing."
When he flicked on the light it felt more like Alice in Wonderland. Syd's old room was so happy compared to the rest of the house. A big comfy bed in the middle, with a fluffy light blue comforter and tons of pillows, shelves filled with books, and pictures everywhere. Most of the wood floor is covered with a big rug that matches her comforter. Right now I'm sitting at her desk, which seems out of place in this room because it's just empty. The only thing on it (besides my journal and pen) is a TV, which means I, thankfully, don't have to leave the room much.
I've been in here since then. We already ate dinner, so I didn't have to go anywhere. The weekdays won't be as weird because I'll be at school mostly, but the weekends will be a predicament indeed. Well, I'm kind of tired. I'll lie down with Donny and watch a little TV I guess. Maybe look around at all the pictures. Seriously, they're all over the walls. And I'll look over her books. That will be interesting. Good night, journal.
2-13-03
7:00 PM
This is so awkward. Jack and I just don't… Ugh. Where on earth did Sydney get her genes from, because they surely didn't come from that man. No. More like a robot. He doesn't show emotions. He barely talks. He says things like, "Dinner's ready," and… Well, that's about it. But we did have a conversation in the car this morning on the way to school, if one can even call it a conversation.
I don't know how to address him. Jack? Mr. Bristow? Sir? Maybe I just won't. This morning I didn't address him. I wanted to know who was picking me up after school, so I asked him. Very politely. His reply, an exact quote: "I will be picking you up every day. No unauthorized rides from anyone else, is that clear?"
"Yes."
Eeeeeyeeeah. That's the sound I wanted to make when he said that. He's… creepy. Yes, that's the word. Creepy. After school he didn't say anything to me again until "dinner's ready" and we ate spaghetti in silence. He makes pretty good sauce, I was impressed.
I wonder why he's so reserved… It could definitely be from Irina. But come on, it happened like thirty years ago and they've had her in prison for months now so get over it! Sydney has, why can't he? Whatever. Maybe he just has to think he's powerful. Hm. Well, we'll just have to change that, won't we?
7:11 PM
Or, you know, not. Because I'm terrified of him.
Jess asked me today about a possible sleepover this weekend. I told her no, mostly because I was afraid to ask Jack. And I'm not allowed to have any "unauthorized rides" from anyone. And there's no way in hell I'd have Jess come spend the night here, I wouldn't put her through that torture. Hmm. I think I'll go shower now.
2-14-03
7:42 PM
Well, happy Valentine's Day, journal. Today was… Weird. Jess, apparently, no longer fancies Adam because he didn't show up today at school. Crazy girl. At least some club went around and taped little chocolate hearts to everyone's locker, so I think the chocolate helped soften the blow. I thought it was a wonderful treat on the way to social studies. Mr. Richards hoped it would wake us up, I don't think it did. Whatever.
And after school, I thought I should take Donny on a walk so I went to find Jack to ask if I could (a very scary idea at the time). I realized he was in his office… Even scarier. I hesitated knocking on the door. I looked at the dog on the floor, he made this grunting noise that sounded like I felt. I decided I'd wait and ask, so I turned a little and then the door opened and there was Jack and there was I and ahhhhh I swear I heard the music from Jaws just then.
He just stared at me from the door. I don't think he even blinked. I couldn't make any sounds for a bit, then I finally stammered out something. "I… I… I… C-can I walk Donovan?" He nodded ever so slightly, and I tried to walk casually to get the dog's leash from the bag of stuff we brought over. When I came back and hooked him on the leash Jack wasn't in the door anymore but I still felt like he was watching. Creepy. Just… creepy.
Donovan and I had a good walk, I wished it could have been longer though. Why couldn't he be a golden retriever today? Ugh. I did exhaust him a little… Oh well, he's chubby and needs the exercise I suppose. I just wanted to get out of the house as long as possible. Then I did some homework, ugh. That research paper is so long. But I'm glad I chose the Beatles, it's not so hard, just lots of writing. Kathleen is doing the CIA, and I think that's hilarious. I can't wait to tell… Aw. Syd and Dad. Tear. Which reminds me!!!!
They called!!! And I forgot to mention the CIA thing, oh well. So anyway during dinner (we were eating chicken, again in a really good sauce. Who knew Jack was the sauce master? Creepy Sauce Master Jack. Hmm…), and then the phone rang, and Jack answered.
"Bristow." Jesus, he's so serious all the time. "I'm well," he said softer. "Yes, she's right here." He turned and looked at me, holding the phone out.
Well I freaked out, he could have told me it was Syd and Dad! "Hello?" I answered.
"Aislin!" I heard their voices yell my name together. I was so happy to hear them.
"Hi!!!! How's France? How are you guys? Where are you?"
I heard Sydney laugh. Then Dad said, "We're fine, and France is great. You really should have come…" I glanced at Jack. Maybe I should have… No! It was worth suffering with him if they could be possibly getting engaged. I hoped they called to tell me they were engaged! "And we're visiting my mother right now. She's disappointed you didn't come, too."
"Tell her I said hello, then. And I'm sorry I couldn't meet her."
"Well, you'll meet her soon enough," he said. Did that mean they were getting married soon and have a wedding she'd attend and I'd meet her? Why couldn't he spit it out?
"So, what's new?" I asked, hoping to help him along.
It didn't work. They just talked about boring stuff. But it makes me miss them, especially with Creepy Sauce Man looming nearby. So they aren't engaged just yet.
7:47 PM
There's still another week though.
7:49 PM
Another week with Jack…
A/n: Yeah, so I'm still not that happy with it, oh well. I hope you liked it anyway. I think all this writing over winter break has made my brain go POOF. I need a break! So maybe you won't get an update for a while… Sorry. Please review and make me happy, my caffeine high has finally worn off and I'm a lil down.