Preface: The Move
“Mom where are you going this time?” I ask seating on the couch with my mom in our PJs.
She smiles “To London, what you’re so freaking lucky.” I say
She laughs “well I guess you’re lucky too because you’re going.” she says I stop and look at her. “What?”
“You never take me on trips with you.” She shrugs “it’s not really a trip so to speak.” she says shyly.
I look at her confused, “What is it then a vacation? Is my step bro coming?” I ask excitedly.
She smiles “yeah he’ll be there but it’s not a vacation Ali.” She says as she strokes my hair, “we are moving to London with John.” I look at her.
“What, move to England! Like with the queen and euros?” I ask looking at her she nods and goes to say something when we hear the door jiggle and open and John’s voice ring through the hall.
“Hey, ladies I’m home!” He says I smile at mom and dart to the door and tackle my step bro.
“Johnny!” I say as he catches me as my mom walks up next to him and kisses him.
“Welcome home honey I just told her the news,” she says as he looks down at me.
“Well, kiddo? You ready to go?” He asks I look at him and mom and smile she has tried so hard to make me happy I think to myself. I smile,
“Yeah let’s do this,” I say as I walk back to the living room and throw myself on the sofa.
John sits next to me and mom disappears into the kitchen. “So al,” he says looking to see if mom is still in the kitchen. “Don’t tell your mom but I just spent 25 bucks on this.” He says as he pulls out the new call of duty game.
My eyes widen as I look at it and look at him he smiles “I’ll start her up and you keep watch.” he says saluting to me as I nod and head to the kitchen to bother Mom as he sets up the game.
“Hey, mom what ya doing?” I ask
She laughs “making dinner what are you two up to?” I shrug “oh noooothing just wanted to see if you needed something.” I say standing in front of her so she can’t see the living room and John.
“Uhm no I’m good honey,” she says leans closer to me staring at me closely “you’re not trying to distract me or anything are you alli cat?” she says a coy smile on her face I panic,
“No, of course not why would I be trying to do that I mean we are totally not about to zone you out and-” I hear John call my name.
“Al!!! The eagle has landed time to retreat”
I sigh "ok bye mom." I say as I duck off into the living room and salute to John
“At ease soldier mission complete,” he says handing me a controller I sigh,
“Thanks for pulling me out general I was in hot water there for a minute.” he nods and starts the game.
We play for about 30 mins before mom walks over to us. We stop playing as she kisses his cheek and ruffles my hair and smiles evilly.
“So if you think I’m going to slave around in that kitchen alone while you two play video games you’ll both starve,” she says walking off back into the kitchen, and we pause the game terrified.
John sighs “I love her but she’s scary when she’s mad.” I nod and walk into the kitchen to help mom
She laughs handing me some potatoes to peel and I giggle when she tells Johnny to stir the pot.
Moving day
I sit up and dress quickly remembering that mom said to be ready for 5 am I grab my backpack and head downstairs to find mom and Johnny talking to the movers as one of them waves and goes into my room to get my bed.
“Morning Ali,” Johnny says as him and mom hug me.
I smile “so this is it huh? Our house isn’t ours anymore?” I ask mom who nods and sighs
“but-” she says happily. “we got a lot of money for it, honey did you know that our little bluebell made us 456,000 dollars?”
My eyes widen “that’s a lot of money!“I exclaim and she nods.
“Well, time to go we have a plane to catch” she says as we get in the car and drive to the airport I wrap up in my blanket and look out of the window as I watch our little neighborhood fade into the city and then the highway to the international airport 20 minutes outside of the city.
When we get there we park in the lot and me and mom get our stuff and head inside.
“Hey, honey, I’ll go make the sale ok?” John says as mom kisses him.
“I’ll be waiting inside with the tickets,” she says as he nods and kisses my forehead
“Well, this is it kiddo no more America you got your passport?” I nod and point to my purse.
He smiles “Good job,” he says high giving me and walks away as I walk into the airport with mom.
