“ Dear Heath
I hope this day brings you love and laughter. I hope it brings you happiness and care. I wanted to write you to say I have grown to love you, and hope that one day I can tell you face to face. You are in my dreams and my heart. Your eyes show so much that I want to learn of you. I hold a picture that I took of you not long ago. Please don’t think I am a stalker just the opposite a admirer. I admire your eyes, face, lips, arms, body, and your voice. Oh god your voice sends a warmth to my soul. I hope one day I will be in those arms being held against your body. I love you darling. With love from my heart to yours….Your admirer “
I sat there stunned at the words I had just read and wondered who could of sent this. I had a few thoughts, but one would come out and tell me, and the other would be to shy to try something. I placed the letter back in the envelope only to raise up a bit to place it between the mattress and box springs. As I remained seated I had to chuckle knowing some girl had the hot’s for me. The rest of the school year came and went. Chris, Selena, and Tiffany all turned 16 and rubbed it in my face. I ignored them half the time saying at least mine is in summer. Tiffany then took my right hand telling me yes and this birthday she intended to be there as always. We packed leaving for another summer to be with our families again.
My first day home was awkward as I entered the house around 4 p.m. to find Michelle and Travis on the couch watching some movie. I dropped my bag making my way to them. I sat by my sister and gave her a hug in which she just patted my back.
“ Everything ok Shellie?” I asked her as they both turned to look at me after I broke the hug.
“ It’s Michelle not Shellie as that name is so childish.” She tells me as I sat there shocked.
“ But I have always called you Shellie.” I tell her as she gives me a strange look that isn’t loving.
“ Not any more squirt as I am a adult now. I want to be called by my name.” Michelle tells me as I just nod.
“ Sorry then that I called you what I always known you as.” I tell her standing up as she stays quiet.
I go for my bag picking it up. I make my way to the stairs to go up them only hearing the t.v. Once in my room I drop my bag at the foot of the bed. I stood there thinking for a moment then made my way back down to the living room, but go straight to the kitchen to get something to drink. I look to see some tea, but hardly any food. It’s like my family hardly stays home any more. I pour myself a glass of tea then sat myself in the chair facing the living room. I just sit there thinking of how Michelle who will always be Shellie to me had acted, and the way Travis stayed quiet. I took my cell phone out of my back pocket to look for any new messages. I had a few from Tiffany which said she hoped I was ok. She also wanted to know if I wanted to come over this coming weekend to hang out. I sent her a text back maybe telling her I would see what my mother was up to. It was a few minutes later she sent one back telling me ok that it was cool. I took a sip of my tea bring up my back account statement I had gotten to see my investments was going well. I had money that I hardly touched. I smiled knowing my money was growing wisely. I just goofed off the next two hours wondering if supper would be fixed anytime soon. It was around 6:30 p.m. that there was a knock on the door. I got up to see who it was, but was beat by mom who was coming down the stairs. Once she opened the door I watched as a tall African American guy walked in taking mom in his arms leaning to give her a kiss. Mom returned the kiss then broke it turning around to see me. Her eyes got big as if she forgot something. She turned to the man to speak.
“ Tyrone can we wait for our evening together so I can fix Heath something to eat?” Mom says asking him as he looks at me with odd eyes
“ Maggie I am sure he is a big boy that he can fend for himself. I made arrangements that can’t be changed.” Tyrone says as my mother turns to look in my eyes
Mom steps over to me placing her hands up on my shoulders.
“ Heath I will make it up to you I am sorry. I love you honey please remember that sweetie.” My mother tells me as I nod before she continues “ There is food in the fridge and tea. I’ll be home later then we can talk ok honey.”
“ Ok mom have fun I love you too.” I tell her as she smiles stepping away to get her purse as Tyrone takes her left hand
“ Oh she will and don’t wait up kid as you need your sleep since your a growing boy.” He tells me as mom looks at him with a strange look
I watch as they walk out with him shutting the door. I look around and find myself alone since Michelle and Travis left earlier to hang with Trey and Keisha. I let out a sigh walking back to the kitchen to find something to eat. I look around to find the only thing good at that moment was Peanut butter and bread. I get a knife and all that I need and make my own supper being peanut butter sandwiches. I guess I should be lucky I have this to eat. I just shake my head as I take a bite. I chase it down with the tea in my glass taking a drink. I think of what Tyrone says who I take is mom’s boyfriend as no one told me in a letter. Which have hardly been coming to me, and now I know why. His words of me being a growing boy. Hell I was at 6‘0, 175 lbs and I was not a boy. I felt my heart race as my temper was starting to show, but I had to stay calm before I did something stupid. I sat eating the sandwiches I made to fill my stomach up. After I ate I decided to go into the living room to watch some t.v. As the evening went by and night came I watched the time. None of my family had showed up yet. I guess they were use to their habits now, but why couldn’t they of waited a night or two to go out. I just shook my head as I watched what played on the screen. I guess things do change as after that night it was the same thing each day. The evenings Michelle and Travis would leave as Tyrone would show up to take mom on a date in which she wouldn’t be home until the next morning just to give me a hug then go to bed. So I took it upon myself to hang with my friends. I felt more love from those that wasn’t my flesh and blood. As the weeks went by and June left July was here. I spent the 4th with Chris, Selena, Tiffany, and their parents. As my family made it aware they would spend it with Tyrone and his children. I am sitting with Tiffany as she holds me from behind. Days past after that as my birthday was finally here on a Friday this year though. I was 16, but when I woke up around 10 a.m. I found myself alone in the house. No mother, sister, or brother. It was like they forgot what today was. I got dressed making my way down to the living room. Going to the couch there was no sound, no voices as the house was silent. As I sat there with my hands on either side of me. I thought that maybe they went to get birthday decorations. My mind dwelled on that thought hoping that was what my family was doing. Leaning forward I grabbed the remote turning the t.v. on to see if anything good was on. As the morning flew by It was around 1:15 in the afternoon that I heard a knock at the door. Getting off the couch I made my way to answer it. Opening the door I was surprised to see my best friends and their parents. Each had smiles until they saw my sadness showing. I turned going back to the couch returning to the spot I sat. They all came in looking around I guess wondering where my family were.