Chapter 1: A New Start
I grew up in Gilbert Arizona with my single mother. I kept my head in the books and stayed out of everyone’s way. I’m sure if someone were to show my picture to students at my school, no one would know who I am or that I even went to school with them. Though none of that matters anymore because Elizabeth, my mother was promoted to an HR Coordinator but the job is located in Livingston Montana. I was daydreaming about what my new life might look like when I heard my mother call for me “Delilah Renee you need to bring the boxes from your room to the car right now”. I can tell she is getting antsy to leave because she used my full name when I usually only go by Del. I brought my last box to my mom’s black F-150. Her and I just stood there looking at our small two bedroom apartment saying our goodbyes. It’s been just her and I since my father died in a car accident when I was fourteen. He was her soul mate and when he left he took a piece of my mom with him. I think this move will be good for her to have a fresh start, and maybe for myself as well.
Our 17 hour journey was long. My mother and I have been switching who drove every three hours or so. My mom has been a very cautious driver since my dad’s accident, but I turned 18 in January and have been driving for two years now. We stopped on our way out of Utah to get winter jackets, gloves, hats, and boots. My tan skin has been so used to the brutal sun in Arizona, that the frigid March northern air stings. We are just a couple hours away from arriving at our new home. My stomach is starting to knot up, I have no idea what to expect. I’m in the end of my senior year and I have to start all over again in a new school. My mom seems to be on edge too. I know she is hiding something but I have had this feeling since before my father’s accident. I just can’t put my finger to what she and my father have been hiding from me or even if there is something. As these thoughts run through my head my mom looks over and tells me that we are here. The house is two stories with a dark grey paneling and rock exterior. The house has an attached garage and is backed up into the dense woods at the end of a dirt road. This is definitely different from the dry desert of Arizona.
“ Why don’t you check out the inside before we start unloading boxes. A friend of your fathers' and his wife decorated the inside for us so we would have everything we needed. The first room at the top stairs is yours”
“Why didn’t I know that dad had friends here in Montana?”
“He met Theo when he was a teenager when he did all that traveling hunny”
I don’t understand why I have never heard of them before, but I’m not going to question my mom. I’m so tired but I want to check out the house before I grab my boxes. I didn’t bring much from Arizona, just my books and clothes that I bought online for the cold weather. I knew I would be starting school the next day we moved here so I ordered some sweaters, jackets, leggings, and jeans. I walked up the porch and noticed the swinging bench that was hidden behind a tree that covered the front of the house. Swinging benches are my favorite to read my books on but too bad it is very cold to read outside this time of year. I walked through the front doors and breathed in the fresh scent of acorns. The home was a modern farm house and was decorated to compliment that ecstatic. The kitchen has a big island that opened up into the living room that had a fireplace and floor to ceiling windows. The windows looked out to the back of the house to the woods. The outdoors was covered in a sheet of snow but I had this pull from my gut to go out to the woods. I was never a very outdoorsy person so this feeling confused me. I continued to walk throughout the downstairs and found the laundry room, a half bath, and my mother’s office. The upstairs had two bedrooms and two ensuites, and I loved the idea of having my own bathroom. I walked up the stairs and opened the first door. My bedroom was spacious with light grey walls and a balcony that faced the back of the house. I started to get that feeling in my gut again but this time I felt like something was out there. But that would be weird, we are in the middle of nowhere. I continued to look around my room. My queen size bed was up against the wall when you first walked in. It was covered in white bedding with dark grey and lilac throw pillows. Across from my bed was my desk that looked out the window and opposite to that was my dresser and a stand up mirror next to the door that led to my ensuite. The bathroom was equally as impressive all white with a Jacuzzi tub and a stand up shower. I was very impressed by the house and my father’s mysterious friends did a great job decorating. I will need to make it a point to thank them in person. I walked back outside to grab my boxes from the car.
“What do you think of the house Del?”
“It is absolutely beautiful, Thank you. I would Like to thank Theo and his wife in person for all that they have done as well”
My mom had this worried expression on her face “Of course sweety, you might meet them within the next couple of days” she said that and walked off to her office. I am determined to figure out what she is hiding from me but right now I need to get my stuff together for my first day of school. I made a promise to myself that I would try to make friends and be strong and confident like I was before my dad’s passing.
