Kida and her younger sister, Kimmi, made their way through the neighborhood as dusk settled in, leaving behind the chaotic soundtrack of their parents' argument. The air was cool, and the streets were quiet, save for the sound of their footsteps. Kimmi's grip on Kida's hand was tight, a silent testament to her inner turmoil. Tears streaked her face, but she walked on, buoyed by her sister's presence.
"Hang in there, sis," Kida said softly, squeezing Kimmi's hand in reassurance. "We're almost there."
Kimmi sniffled, trying to stem the flow of her tears. "I hate when they fight," she murmured, her voice laced with a mix of sadness and longing. "They're supposed to love each other like before. What had changed?"
Kida felt a pang of sadness at her sister's words, wishing she had the answers to ease her mind. "I wish that I knew the particular answer," she admitted. "Sometimes, people grow apart..."
Kimmi's next words were tinged with fear, a fear of an unknown future that seemed all too real. "Are we going to be like Jackson's family where his parents live in different houses and they fight over who's keeping him?"
The question hung in the air between them, heavy and foreboding. Kida's heart ached for her sister, for the innocence lost in the face of their parents' battles. "I-I don't know, Kimmi," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But just know that no matter what... I am still here for you. And Mom and Dad love you too."
They walked on in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Kimmi, with her fears of a fractured family, and Kida, with her determination to shield her sister from as much pain as she could.
As Kida and Kimmi neared Amara's cozy, ivy-draped home, the weight of the evening's events seemed to momentarily lift from Kida's shoulders. She meticulously went through Kimmi's backpack one more time, ensuring her little sister had everything from pajamas to her favorite stuffed bear that had seen better days but was Kimmi's unwavering companion through thick and thin. With a deep breath, Kida rapped on the door, its old wood whispering stories of the countless times it had opened to welcome her.
The door creaked open, and there stood Drew, with his ever-present grin that seemed to light up the porch. "Hey girls, it's good seeing you," he said, his voice a comforting blend of cheerfulness and warmth.
"You too, Drew," Kida responded, managing a small smile despite the heaviness in her heart. "I'm just dropping off the little diva for the weekend... Your mom had told me it was okay."
Drew's eyes sparkled with recognition. "Oh right, right. Yeah, I'll take her inside. My mom will be back shortly, she's getting groceries for dinner." He shifted aside, his casual demeanor a testament to the countless times their families had intertwined lives over simple acts of kindness.
"Dinner, huh? Is she making her delicacy?" Kida inquired, her thoughts drifting to the many evenings spent around the Johnson's dining table, where laughter and stories flowed as freely as the wine her parents would sometimes enjoy.
"Man yeah, juicy pork chops with greens, rice, and mac and cheese. You should stay for dinner," Drew suggested, his casual invitation carrying an undercurrent of the deep familial bonds they shared.
Kida was about to relent, her mouth watering at the thought, when the sharp buzz of her phone cut through the moment, a harsh reminder of the reality awaiting her beyond this doorstep. She excused herself, reading the message from Sam, her best friend, who was always a port in the storm.
Text:
Sam: Hey, are you busy
Kida: Nah, I am dropping Kimmi off at Amara's. Parents are at it again with chewing each others heads off.
Sam: Damn, sorry to hear about it.
Kida: It's whatever. So what's up?
Sam: Josh had made some last minute plans about the gang coming to the lodge just to hang out. Are you down?
Kida: The lodge? You mean the one that's in the mountains that Josh would blab about saying how it's his family's mountain??
Sam: Mount Washington. Yeah, that's the one. Also we can celebrate your birthday since you know...
Kida thinks for a moment as she never been to the lodge before. She didn't have plans for her birthday either as they didn't mean much to her. She thought about the pros. Skiing, snowballs fights, hanging with her friends, especially Matt who was her crush. Drinking and dancing.
Kida: I'm in if there's a hot tub
Sam: Yes! I'll be there within an hour. I'm trying to shut Hannah up about Mike..
Kida: Sigh. I really want her to get it through her head that Mike is with Emily. But you know Hannah, she's such a naive child.
Sam: Yeah, I am kinda grateful that Beth isn't like that. She's got her head on her shoulders ya know.
Kida: Yeah...well let me get Kimmi situated and I'm going to pack my things and wait for you.
Sam: Alright. Tell Miss Diva I said hello
Kida: Will do.
Text ends:
Sorry, Drew, I have plans for tonight," Kida turned back to the conversation at hand.Kimmi raised an eyebrow. "You do??"
"Yes, I'm going to hang out with my friends," Kida explained, trying to sound nonchalant."You're probably just going to see Matt." Kimmi teased, making mocking kissing noises.Kida, a bit embarrassed, quickly changed the subject.
"Cut it out," she said softly, pressing a kiss on Kimmi's forehead as Drew stepped aside, letting Kimmi in."My parents should be picking her up tomorrow. I believe I've packed everything a nine-year-old needs," Kida informed Drew.
"I have the Wii hooked up in the living room. The three of us are gonna Just Dance it up tonight," Drew mentioned with a grin.
Kida chuckled. "Have at it. Well, I'm going to get going. Tell your mom that I said thank you, and it's good seeing you, Drew."
"You too. And no need for gratitude; you're like family to us, Kida. Take care," Drew replied, his warmth evident. Kida nodded, stepping off the doorstep. "See you," she called out, already anticipating the adventures the night would bring.
Kida stepped through the threshold of her home, greeted not by the usual cacophony of arguments but by an eerie silence. Exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, she moved with a sense of cautious relief down the dimly lit hallway, each step a tentative advance into the sanctuary of her own space.
Her gaze fell upon her father, slumbering on the couch—a familiar sight after the aftermath of her parents' frequent clashes. It was a scene etched into the fabric of their lives, a silent testament to the toll their discord had taken on their once-harmonious home. As she passed him, she couldn't help but notice the telltale signs of his temporary refuge—a half-empty beer bottle, a smattering of cigarettes, and scattered mail—the remnants of a man grappling with his own demons.
A pang of sadness washed over Kida as she remembered a time when her father wasn't consumed by the chaos that now seemed to define their existence. She knelt beside him, the weight of their fractured relationship heavy in her heart, and draped a blanket over his sleeping form, a small gesture of love amidst the wreckage of their family dynamic. Pressing a tender kiss to his forehead, she stirred him from his slumber.
"Hey, babygirl. You alright?" he murmured, his voice heavy with sleep and the weight of unspoken burdens.
"Yeah, I had just dropped Kimmi off at the Johnson's," Kida replied, her tone a delicate balance of weariness and resolve.
"Oh, that's good. Um, your mother had just left to bring us dinner, it's your favorite. Along with your birthday cake," her father informed her, a flicker of warmth briefly illuminating the strained contours of their relationship.
Kida's expression softened at the gesture, her heart aching with the remnants of a love that had once been the foundation of their family. "I appreciate it, Dad, but I have a change of plans," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
"Going out with Samantha?" her father ventured, his eyes searching hers for reassurance amidst the uncertainty of their circumstances.
"Yep. She invited me to go with the rest of my friends to Blackwood Pines," Kida confirmed, her tone casual despite the gravity of their conversation.
"Hold on. Blackwood Pines, that's also considered that rich boy's family 'Mount Washington'," her father recalled, a note of caution underlying his words.
Nonchalantly, Kida replied, "Yes, I will be staying in Josh's family cabin.
"Her father's brows furrowed in concern, his mind plagued by the whispered tales of the mountain's dark history. "I don't know, Kida. I've heard a lot of tales about that place. My buddy, Terrance, had told me a lot of shit that seems unreal. Heard that a lot of people had gone missing while visiting the mountain," he cautioned, his voice tinged with the weight of unspoken fears.
"And you've got to remember that Terrance is always drunk when he speaks to you. That man can't put down a bottle against his free will," Kida countered, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Her father chuckled softly, a brief respite from the gravity of their conversation. "Ain't that the truth."
"But I need you to watch your six at all times. And make sure you contact me when you arrive, and your mother too. I tried to make a Facebook group chat but I don't know how to work this damn technology," her father continued, his tone shifting to one of earnest concern.
Kida sighed, "Don't worry, Dad. I'll handle it on the way there.""Make sure you pack—" her father began, his voice laden with paternal worry.
"Dad," Kida interjected gently, her patience wearing thin as she felt the weight of her impending departure pressing in on her.
"Just making sure. I know you can handle yourself, but you're going to a place that you're not familiar with. So take some precautions," he explained, his concern palpable even as he struggled to articulate it.
As her father trailed off, lost in his own thoughts, Kida's attention turned to the imminent arrival of her friend. "Oh, and Kida," her father's voice pulled her back to the present moment.
"Yeah, Dad?" she responded, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of weariness and affection.
"I'm going to take a nap before your mother arrives. So let me make sure you understand this... I know I'm getting old, but please, whatever you do, don't make me a grandfather just yet. I know how you kids are when you're away from parents. And I know that you're a freshly legal lady, but please, please, please, use protection. I know that you have a crush on what's that boy's name...Mike?" her father implored, his tone shifting to one of seriousness as he lit a cigarette, the ember casting a soft glow in the dimly lit room.
"Trust me, Dad, there's no one in my friend circle that I want to get it on with. And ew, Mike is at the bottom of the barrel. But I think you probably meant Matt. You've seen him plenty of times compared to the rest," Kida responded, her voice tinged with exasperation and affection.
As he exhaled smoke, her father's expression softened, a rare moment of vulnerability amidst the facade of strength he often wore. "Yeah, such a nice guy. With a build like that, he could recruit for the military."
Kida couldn't help but laugh, the tension between them momentarily eased by the familiarity of their banter. "I don't think he would want to do that."
"Hey, offer is still on the table of becoming a man," her father quipped, a wistful smile playing at the corners of his lips.
As the conversation turned to more serious matters, Kida's heart ached with the weight of their shared history, the cracks in their once-solid foundation now laid bare for all to see. "Dad, are you and Mom going to be okay?" she ventured, her voice barely above a whisper as she met his gaze with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.
Exhaling smoke, her father's expression grew somber, his eyes clouded with regret. "I don't know, sweetheart. Your mother and I used to be... um, how do you kids say it... tight?"
"No one says 'tight' in 2014," Kida teased gently, a fleeting attempt to lighten the mood amidst the weight of their conversation.
"Well, we were once best friends who became lovers. Then we had our beautiful family and everything just felt right," her father reminisced, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Dad, I know that. But I'm trying to figure out the pothole. 'Cause out of nowhere, you guys just started fussing for no reason. And it's damaging not only you guys, but me and Kimmi as well. I can handle it, but you've got to be aware of how sensitive it is to Kimmi," Kida implored, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and longing.
"I know. I know. I will try to talk to Amelia about it when she gets home, and we can try marriage counseling with Ms. Elliot who lives a block down from us," her father promised, his tone laced with determination and a hint of resignation.
"Good. Because I do not want to keep sending Kimmi away every time you guys argue. It's time to settle things like adults," Kida urged, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her.
"Who's the parent? Me or you?" her father teased gently, a flicker of amusement lighting up his tired eyes.
"Just saying. But I'm going to get ready. Sam should be here soon," Kida deflected, her heart heavy with the weight of their unresolved issues.
"Alright, babygirl. Tell the kids I said hello," her father requested, his voice tinged with the weariness of a man grappling with the complexities of parenthood.
"Will do," Kida replied, her words a silent promise to convey her father's love to those who mattered most.
⸻As Kida retreated to her room, the weight of her father's words lingered in the air, a reminder of the fragile bonds that held their family together. With each item she packed for her journey to Blackwood Pines, she felt a sense of anticipation mingled with trepidation, the prospect of escape tempered by the reality of the challenges that awaited her upon her return.
Dressing herself in layers of warmth and confidence, Kida took a moment to admire her reflection in the mirror, a brief respite from the chaos of her thoughts.
As she applied the finishing touches to her appearance, her mind drifted to the messages awaiting her on social media—a digital tapestry woven from the threads of her past and present, each birthday wish a reminder of the connections that bound her to others.
Heartfelt messages from friends and loved ones filled her screen, their words a balm to her weary soul. Amongst the familiar faces and well-wishes, one message stood out—a tribute to their friendship, a testament to the enduring bond they shared.
"Happy Birthday to one of the best friends I've ever had. Who'd knew that fate would bring us together. Such a wonderful, strong-minded, beautiful, sweet soul. Today is the day we celebrate you, Kida. I am happy that you're apart of my life! "Sam's words, a beacon of light in the darkness of uncertainty, filled Kida with a sense of warmth and gratitude.
As she prepared to reply, a familiar sound broke through the stillness—a car horn announcing the arrival of her friend.
Rushing to the window, Kida's heart leaped at the sight of Sam's car, a symbol of the adventures that awaited them beyond the confines of their small town.
Kida gathered her belongings and made her way to the waiting car, the promise of escape and companionship guiding her steps. As she bid her father farewell, the weight of their unspoken conversation hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the tangled emotions that bound them together.
With each passing moment, Kida felt the pull of the unknown growing stronger, her heart filled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. And as she stepped into the waiting embrace of her friend, the echoes of her father's words lingered in her mind, a reminder of the bonds that tethered her to the world she was leaving behind.
Rushing out into the cool air, Kida's spirits lifted at the sight of Sam's 2009 green Prius parked on the edge of the road, a beacon of freedom amidst the stillness of the night.
Another honk from the car's horn punctuated the moment, drawing her attention to the window as it rolled down, revealing Chris sporting a pair of girly shades and a sly smirk."Get in, loser, we're going to the mountains," Chris announced with a playful grin, his tone a perfect blend of enthusiasm and mischief.
Kida couldn't help but chuckle at the reference. "Was that a Mean Girls reference?" she teased, her lips quirking up in amusement.
Sam, the ever-loyal friend, chimed in from the driver's seat. "Trust me, he's been practicing that on his way here," she confided, her tone laced with affectionate exasperation.
As the back door swung open, Kida's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Matt stepping out, a bouquet of flowers in his hands. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as he approached, his warm smile melting her worries away.
"Happy Birthday, Kida," Matt greeted her, his voice a gentle melody amidst the night's symphony.
"Aww, thank you, Matt. Such a gentleman," Kida replied, her heart swelling with gratitude and affection.
They shared a warm embrace, the simple gesture speaking volumes of their friendship and the bond they shared. "Your chariot awaits, madam," Matt joked, offering his arm with a flourish.
"Oh, thank you, kind sir. Do you mind escorting my luggage to the trunk?" Kida playfully requested, a hint of laughter dancing in her eyes.
"Of course. Anything for you, Angel," Matt replied, his tone sincere and filled with warmth.
"Thank you," Kida replied softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she handed Matt her bags, watching as he gracefully stowed them away in the trunk.
As Kida settled into the backseat, the familiar comfort of the car enveloped her, accompanied by the excited chatter of her friends. She glanced around, taking in the sight of Ashley sitting on the rear driver's side, engrossed in a book and munching on trail mix.
"Hey, Ash!" Kida greeted, her smile widening at the sight of her friend.
"Kida, hey! Happy Birthday!" Ashley replied, returning the embrace with genuine warmth.
With Matt joining them in the backseat and shutting the door behind him, Kida turned her attention to the impending journey.
"Alright, let's get Mildred going," she declared, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Mildred?" Matt echoed, his curiosity piqued by the unusual name.
"It's what I call Sam's car. It looks like something that an old lady would drive," Kida explained with a grin, her gaze flicking to Sam in the driver's seat.
Sam rolled her eyes, a fond smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Seriously, you're still on that?"
"You're telling me it's not giving off vibes of an older lady who knits all day and goes to bingo night with her girl pals?" Kida countered, her tone teasing yet affectionate.
Ashley chuckled, her laughter mingling with the playful banter. "It's actually kinda cute. Hehe, Mildred."
"Hmm, I was thinking Matilda, but Mildred works," Chris chimed in from the front passenger seat, his voice filled with amusement."Don't make me kick your asses out and have you all walking," Sam threatened playfully, her eyes twinkling with mischief in the rearview mirror.
"You know it's all love, Sammy," Kida replied with a grin, her heart warmed by the familiarity of their camaraderie.
"Whatever. Mount Washington, here we come," Sam declared, determination lacing her words as the car pulled off into Kida's neighborhood and disappeared into the distance, leaving behind the stillness of the night and embarking on an adventure filled with laughter, friendship, and the promise of new beginnings.