~Just For One Summer~

Instructions

(just so you know, Rise is a boy) Rise: How to lie, for dummies: Step one: Learn how to lie to yourself. Example. Saying you are fine, even while you’re breaking. “Why can’t we go somewhere tropical? Like Hawaii?” Asks my stepfather for what feels like the zillionth time. My mother slams her hand onto the table. “I’ve already told you Jared, Hawaii is too expensive. Besides, tropical areas are too humid for Rise this time of year.” Jared turns and glares at me, like I’m the problem. Like it’s my fault mom isn’t immediately caving to his idea. It’s like this every year. Mom and Jared fight about our vacation spot because mom’s idea of a break means camping somewhere out in the woods, and Jared’s means relaxing on a beach with a cocktail in his hand. If I had any say, I’d pick somewhere quiet. A place that isn’t crowded with tourists or misquotes. A place where I can breathe. “Look, Cathy-” I gag. I hate it when he calls my mother Cathy. Hate it when he calls her anything really. In fact, I don’t even know why she married him. They fight constantly, and I have a feeling that, though he’s never been abusive before, he could lose it, and maybe even hurt her, at any moment. And any sentence starting with “Look Cathy” Always ends badly. So, before I can stop myself, I squeeze my eyes shut and blurt out, “Why don’t we just stay home this year? I mean, what’s the point on wasting money on an expensive trip that none of us will be able to enjoy?” They look shocked for a minute, before my mother’s jaw hardens. “No. This is a tradition. Every year we go on a family vacation. Jared, honey, how about this? We go somewhere that has a beach and some water, but is also close to nature, and isn’t so close to the equator that we fry like bacon? Sound good?” Jared grunts. “And how do you expect to find this magical place?” “Oh, I’ll find it.” Mom says leaving the room. She stops at the door. “Oh and Rise?” I look up at her to show her that I’m listening. “Clean the office please? Jared’s moving in for his work.” I stare at her. The office? The office was dad’s. All his stuff is in there. All his pictures, and weird collections, and so many more memories. “That’s right kid. Get on with it.” Jared pipes up from where he’s making himself comfortable on the couch. He runs his fingers through his greasy brown hair and smirks. “I need that room for work stuff.” This, is an absolute lie. In fact, I bet he’s never worked a day in his life. I sit there for another full two minutes, showing him that I’ll go in my own time, before I head upstairs. The office is a cluttered, tiny room that my dad absolutely loved. It’s stuffed with items that are probably useless, but all meant something special to him. For instance, all my finger drawings from first grade. I pick up a picture with a broken frame off the desk. It’s my family. Before the accident. My mom looks younger, her dark brown hair loose, instead of the tight ponytail she wears now, her green eyes lighter, without the bags. She’s happier. My father looks like I remember him. Bright red hair and a matching beard. He also looks happy. Like he was caught in mid laugh. I’m on his shoulders. Same flaming hair and freckles. I’m missing my two front teeth, so I’m probably about seven in this picture. Less than a year before the accident. Seeing this picture, a tiny part of my heart breaks. This is us. This was us. I pull the picture out of the frame and tuck it into my pocket. Then I grab the frame and chuck it against the wall. The already-broken glass shatters. I exhale. That felt good. Then I grab the trash can and start throwing things in. About an hour later, I’m done. The room is clear. Almost nothing remains. Except one thing. I left a picture of my mom and dad holding hands. Take that, Jared. Then I return to my hiding place. My room. I put on some headphones, lay on my bed, and crank up some music. My phone buzzes beside me. I pick it up and see a few texts from my best friend, Eli Raidy. Eli: Hey dude, guess what? As usual, he doesn’t wait for me to say, what? I smile at the familiarness (that a word?) of him. Eli is another safe space. Eli: My family might come on your vacation! Your mom sent mine a link How did she find a place that fast???