The Alignment by Kristin Andrecheck (reading tree .TXT) 📕

favorite stars and such.”
I look at her with cunning eyes and I hug her.
“Mom, I was only kidding. I’m so happy right now!! I can’t believe it! My dreams are finally coming true!”
“Oh. Okay, so where do you want to eat,” She asks.
“Well, by the beach. I”m kind of in the mood for sea food,” I say.
“Honey, I can’t afford seafood right now. I just spent $800.00 on our air fare. Um, how about McGreen’s. They have the best fast food,” Mom says, trying not to hurt my feelings.
She has never said no to me, about anything for that matter. So I’m kinda stunned. But, I don’t care. After all she’s done for me, I should be at her feet, worshipping her.
“Oh, that’s okay. I still love you,” I say.
So, the bus finally comes and we don’t say a word. We are both just looking at the sights in California. It’s so beautiful, and it’s really hot. We finally arrive at our stop, right next to McGreens. We walk in and everyone just looks at us. I feel like a tourist. Anyways, it’s packed and we just wait, talking occasionally. 10 minutes go bye and we’re finally up. I order fries, a burger, a Diet Up and an apple pie. Mom gets the salad, small fries, and a Diet Fizz. We wait yet another 10 minutes and eat outside on the lawn. Wow, California is beautiful. But, I miss Rose too much. We eat for about 20 minutes and throw the garbage away. We go the bus stop yet again and wait for it. We see the bus, and we start to get on. The bus driver stops us and says “Sorry, all buses are full today.”
He gestures us to get off, closes the door and drives away.
“Wow, really nice, jerk!” Mom shouts.
I laugh to myself quietly.
“So, are you ready to walk 3 miles,” Mom asks, angry like.
“3 miles! Wow, people are jerks around here!” I am really mad but then I say, “At least we can walk and see things. You know, like a..uh...homemade tour,” I say, thinking on the spot.
“I guess, it’s our only choice. But, today has been long enough, let’s go home. I know you don’t want to, but it would be nice. I’m tired,” She explains.
“Ugh, okay,” I sigh.
“But, hey. Our stuff is there. You remember Jim, with the plane? He dropped our things off and hopefully they are there. We just have to work a little. Okay?” Mom asks.
“Yep. Is the house two story?” I inquire.
“No, it’s an apartment, for now. As soon as I find a job, and get a little more cash, we will buy a better house. But, for now, money isn’t coming so fast. My last check should come in by Friday. So let’s see, 1...2...3 more days. Then we can shop. And we have all summer to chill. So, hopefully we can go school shopping sooner,” Mom described.
“Oh, and about school. Where am I gonna go?”
“Cali High. It’s gonna be great, and you only live a block away, so you don’t have to ride the bus. It’s gonna be great,” Mom repeated.
“Awesome!” I say.
We start walking. I see plenty of guys walk down the street. Even though I’m 14 and young, I can still flirt. I just stare, no harm done, right? I see mom looking, too. EW! Old people shouldn’t stare at younger guys, it’s just gross! An hour goes by and we’re at the house. Can’t wait to see my new room, and life.

Chapter 8
I walk in the apartment and I’m shocked. I didn’t know apartments looked so great! I take a look around. First, I see all the furniture in the place. The apartment is like a brown shade, and so is our furniture. It’s a perfect match! I then walk into the kitchen. The kitchen has a small, square, chestnut table with three chairs. The cabinets are the same color, and they are huge. The sink is like a brown, red color, and it’s porcelain. The kitchen is stunning. I then walk down the hall into the bathroom. It’s basically like any bathroom, but smaller. It’s white, and has enough room to fit a person, a toilet, and a bathtub. I walk across the hall into my mom’s room. It’s really big. It has a lavender carpet, a king size bed, and two huge dressers with a flat screen tv on one of the dressers. I then walk in through her room and take a left. I look around and it’s a blank room. There’s only a lavender carpet and walls. It’s pretty big I guess. I then run into the kitchen and look for mom.
“Mom!” I shout.
“What baby?” Mom replies.
“Where’s all my stuff?”
“That’s why I said we would have to work. We have to go to the garage where your things are kept. Hopefully the car is here, because I am NOT walking 15 miles to get your bed!”
I say “Okay, I’ll go check, jeese!”
I walk towards the door and go outside into the garage. I do see a car, it looks like dad’s! I run back into the house and I see dad talking to mom. I just pause. Mom and dad look back at me. I run into the bathroom and slam the door.
“I’m sorry for what I have done. I see you’re in California, she decided yes?” Dad asks.
“Yes, she wanted to fulfill her dream of being a star, make new friends, and start a new life. I’m also working on that,” Mom says.
“Of becoming a star?”
“No, starting a new life, without you.”
I gasp. I love dad, I don’t want him to leave. And I doubt mom will let him have some custody of me.
“What!” Dad screams.
“I don’t love you anymore. I’ve been feeling this ever since...” Mom hesitated.
I open the door a sliver. Enough so I can see my parents, without them seeing me.
“Ever since, Katy,” Dad looks down towards his feet.
“That was going to be Teals’s baby sister!” Mom shouts.
“But, I also went to the doctor and asked a question,” Dad says, cunningly.
“Well, what’s that?” Mom looks worried.
“I found out that Katy....” Dad pauses.
“What!” Mom screams.
“Is not my child!” Dad shouts back.
I have a tear in my eye. My mother’s a cheater! I’m dumbfounded. How could she do this? I walk out of the bathroom and stare at my mom. She has a dumb look on her face.
“Mom, how could you? Why would you?” I interrogate.
“I..I..I was sick of your father, going away, on “business”,” Mom air quotes.
“What do you mean, Iris,” Dad asks.
“I talked to your secretary. Seems like she cares for you a lot,” Mom says. I know where she is going with this.
“I’m leaving. And, never coming ba...” Dad doesn’t finish.
“I know that you,” Mom looks at me.
“Leave,” Mom directed.
Dad knew what she was going to say. He gives me a kiss, and an envelope. I watch him walk out the door. I look out the window and see him pull out of the driveway with his car. I don’t look at the paper, not yet anyway.
“So. Was the car in the driveway?” Mom asks.
I look at her with an awkward look. She knew I was going to ask her questions.
“Whatever you ask, you know he deserved it,” Mom points out.
I nod my head, slightly.
“Whatever, I...I hate this summer. Can we get our stuff tomorrow? After what I’ve heard...I just can’t take it. Can I sleep on the couch, please?”I request.
Mom nods her head. She looks very, dejected.
“What do you wanna eat tonight, angel?” Mom asks. She has a very depressed tone.
“Pizza, I guess. Let’s try to turn this night around okay?” I inquire.
“Ya. I’d like that. I mean, I guess it’s our first night in Cali. Why don’t you sleep with me. I mean, movies all night. I already have NetMovie. It’s a movie thing,” Mom explains.
I smile, and nod my head.
I then ask mom “Where are the tweezers?”
“Um, in the reddish dresser. Second shelf. Why?”
“Well, a girl needs perfect eyebrows in California, Mom.” I say.
I then start walking into mom’s bedroom. I then remember that dad handed me an envelope. I sit on the bed and open it. It looks like a check. I reach in the envelope quickly and grab the paper. It is a check for one thousand dollars! I run to mom and I hand her the check. I’m jumping up and down. Mom smiles, but the smile turns quickly to a frown.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I think your dad is trying to buy you,” Mom interprets.
“What! Are you crazy mom? I chose you, remember,” I say.
“Well, were saving it for school, okay. You have three hundred dollars in your bank account. We’ll use that for shopping, okay? I already ordered the pizza. Anchovies, right?” Mom asks.
“EESSHH no!!!” I shout.
“Ha ha ha! I know, onions and peppers. The sweet peppers, right” She asks again.
“Ya mom, thanks. I love you,” I smile. Imprint

Publication Date: 10-05-2011

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