Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: SKELETON IN THE CLOSET (11/30/17)
-
TITLE: Two Year Anniversaries | Previous Challenge Entry
By Stephen Blake
12/07/17 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“I put a friendship card in your mailbox in homeroom,” she said just as he had taken a large bite of a soggy turkey sandwich. She continued as he chewed. “Two year anniversaries are still tough. I remember when my parents divorced.”
Trevor slowed his chewing and inspected how the mustard pinched to the center of the sandwich after he bit it.
“Maybe I can come over today after school. Play games or something.” Aubry dropped her head as she tried to make eye contact with him.
A text from Mom three minutes later on his smartphone confirmed that he couldn’t. He was with Dad this weekend.
After school, he climbed into Mom’s red SUV and slid across the tight leather seats. As they drove past suburban houses with sunburst orange maples in their yards, Trevor pulled out his friendship card from Aubry. His arms hugged around the plastic Avengers backpack as he read the words “Jesus Still Loves You.”
Trevor had trouble believing anyone could love him.
Mom spied the card from Aubry as she lifted her head to the see him in the rear view mirror. Her nasal tone and Brooklyn accent compounded whenever she teased him, “Someone’s got an admirer. You little stud muffin!” The showy beads on her bracelet clacked as she reached back to pat him on the knees.
“Baby, I have to stop for groceries on the way, ok? Are you getting a cold back there? I’ll pick up some tissues for that sniffle.”
Tissues, cold medicine, frozen pizzas, and pre made dinners passed Trevor’s eyes as they moved along the conveyer belt. No wine today. Mom was using the card that didn’t let her buy wine. She still smiled when the machine beeped green and she got her receipt.
The SUV pulled into the paved driveway at the house that had six windows in the front but nine windows in the back - three extra ones for Dad’s basement apartment. Dad’s new black car was parked on the right. Before the divorce, he didn’t have the good job that made him travel. That’s why Mom got money from the government and not from him when she had to stay home with Trevor.
He walked down the driveway and around the car, careful not to scratch it with his coat or backpack. At the back of the house was Dad’s apartment entrance. Trevor pulled out his blue key and went in without knocking.
Inside, the lights were off in the clean living area. There was just a small table and some stuff to cook with. The door to the empty bedroom was open. Blankets were tucked tight. The bedside table was clean of pocket change or trash. The closet stood in the corner.
Trevor remembered the architect saying, “You need a closet in there, and a lock on that door to the stairs. Then it can be a multi-family.”
Dad’s closet was empty, and turning the knob to the stairs showed it was unlocked.
Upstairs, Dad was opening the front door for Mom. He grabbed some of the groceries from her as they kissed their “hello” kiss.
“How was your flight?” Mom asked Dad.
“Almost got bumped to coach. Threatened to cancel my Business Class account till they saw reason.” He dumped the bags on the granite countertop. Trevor put his backpack on the kitchen table and pulled out his friendship card from Aubry.
“How ya doing champ?” Dad asked.
Trevor looked down at the card. Two year anniversaries are still tough. His two years were different from hers, though. She could be herself. She could tell the truth.
“I don’t feel good.” Trevor said
From outside the door came a nasally yell from Mom. “He’s got a cold! Give him the medicine from the bag!”
Dad tossed him the box of cold medicine, and Trevor went to his room for the evening.
Alone.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Well done!
Blessings~