→ Erica
Saturday's, ugh. What am I going to do today? I was supposed to go to Aaron's place, but I had already gone last night. Then again, he did invite me. I wonder if he'd let me come over today? Well, his mother said I am welcome, but I feel our last night's conversation might change his mood. He's hard to figure out even if I try to use my gift. I haven't even gotten out of bed; the first thing I think about is him. I hope that maybe there is a chance.
"Erica, are you awake?"
"Yeah, mom. Did you need something?"
"I'm ok; I just wanted to let you know I'll be out of the house the remainder of the day. Breakfast is on the stove."
"Ok."
"I left my card, so you can order whatever you want for lunch and dinner. Still, going over to Aaron's?"
"Um, I'm not sure yet?"
"Do you need the keys to the other car?"
"Mom, I'm fine, and it's not even that far of a walk."
"Well, I'm suggesting it if you don't go and want to go somewhere else."
"Mom, I don't know what to do in this town. I haven't made any other friends at the school yet; we picked a bad time to move. I don't even want to be in this house, his house especially."
"Well, until this divorce finalizes, we must remain here. I'm talking to someone about getting a house not too far from here. You'll bear with it, right?"
"Sure, whatever you say, mom. Just go. I don't want you to be late for wherever you're going."
"Alright, hope you have a good day then."
"Thanks, you as well."
Well, I might as well get a shower, just in case I want to do something later.
→ Aaron
"Andrea, where are mom and dad?"
"They just left said they were meeting some lady. Why do you ask?"
"Don't worry about it. I just had something to ask, that's all."
"Does it have to do with something that Erica told you last night?"
"I said don't worry about it. I'll eventually tell you everything once I process all of it."
"You know, you don't have to go through this alone. I may be younger than you, but I've offered good advice."
"It's not the same as other times, little sister. This one time, it's different. I have so much guilt and regret, and I was so blinded by my pain and misery that I never thought it was nothing. I'm going for a walk, don't let anyone in the house. Call me if anything happens."
"Will you sprint here to come to save me again?"
"For you, I will always."
"If this were a love story, that line would be so romantic."
"Gross."
"Come on, at least tell me that cheered you up a little."
I stared at my little sister for a moment and couldn't help but laugh. We both laughed and then smiled at one another. Little moments like these are what I will never forget and what I think makes family important, especially during hard times. I am thankful.
Saturdays, huh. Well, I would usually be out running, surfing the web, or studying business techniques. But today, I'm just taking a walk to clear my head and try to digest this information Erica told me last night. Maybe there is something wrong with me. Then again, I never had to think this much about things like these. Having her around me for the remainder of the school year will change. Whether that is for the good or bad, for once, I don't know. It's as if I can't seem to come up with a reasonable explanation for it all. And here, I just wanted a quiet and straightforward school year.
Fate has never been my friend, so I'll continue to fight it as I've always done. Or perhaps mom is right. Maybe I need to handle things some other way, and I'm unsure how to begin. Well, I might as well walk to a corner store, grab a sub, and head to my getaway place.
One thing I've always considered strange is this city. The name is not very appealing. East End. Whichever jackoff came up with that probably had no logic. Yeah, come on, everyone knows that way is east, and that's the end of the city. I should have gone with Athens or something like that. Ahh, my comic book days were the best, and that one was my favorite of all time. I'm ashamed of how the writer ended like that. Trust me; you'd be begging for more if you read it.
The one thing you need to understand about the East End is it's a wealthy place. So, going into the middle of the city, the name changes. Center Poll. Yes, that is the name of the central city. There is no logic at all. This whole city might as well be called Compass City. Lazy naming right there if you ask me. But who am I? I'm just going to become another hard-working person for society. Rich or poor, you still must work to maintain an image in life and your career. One can't run a company without some schooling or knowledge of the specific field. Such is life, and here I am going on about it. Most people say you'll have it easy coming from a billionaire family. That is somewhat true, but do you think my parents will hand everything to me just like that?
I don't want to talk about these aspects and possible things about the bare word "life ."It seems everyone thinks they've figured it out or have some grasp of the dish. History has taught and educated us on the idea of life and its endless possibilities of it. But don't quote me; I'm not an expert or anything. I read a lot, and as they say, knowledge is power.
→ 30 Minutes later
Yes, I've finally reached the place. Zed Subs. They have the best subs in town. You'll hit a little tiny area just before reaching the Center Poll. Most people in this place, are you ready for it? Half Poll. Ah, once again, no logic and no explanation behind it. Hell, I don't even think there is a history behind any of these names at all. Watch one day; I'll find it no matter how vexing it is each time I surf the web for some information. I am stressing myself out about this again. I don't need any more than I already have. Ah, it doesn't seem too busy today.
And now for my usual wheat turkey sub with tomatoes, lettuce, and banana peppers. Hm. What do I feel today, mayonnaise or miracle wipe? Well, last Saturday I had mayonnaise, so I'll go with miracle whip. Last Saturday, you said? Well, I'd usually go for a run and then stop here. Zed's Subs is a
"Aaron, is that you?"
"Mr. Lee. How are you doing today?"
"I'm doing very well. Yourself? The usual?"
"I'm well. Yes, please and…."
"Miracle whip it is."
"You know me too well."
Adam Lee. He is the owner of Zed's Subs. He is a lovely gentleman, and I've known him for the longest time. He's a very caring family man. When Andrea and I were little, he would always give us free ice cream and free samples of new bread they baked. A few years back, his wife became paralyzed after a car accident. They also have a daughter. She is about my age and graduating this year as well. Of course, we don't go to the same school, so I can't say I know her well. But I think Erica knows her well from the times she and I stopped here together. Someday the kindness you showed me, I'll pay that in double, I promise.
"Hey, Aaron."
"Huh."
"You always do this when you come here. Just stand there in thought."
"It's a habit of mine. Thank you for the sandwich. Keep the change, Mr. Lee."
"Oh, thank you very much. Safe travels."
With a wave, as usual, I am out the door. Now, it's time to head to that place, back to that old farm.
→ Erica
Hmm, should I wear my contacts or glasses? It's the weekend, so I'll wear my classes. Huh, I can't believe she left the keys to the car. Then again, I mean, where am I going to go? Oh my God, I'm so bored; I wish I at least knew one girl in this area; wait, that's it!
"How could I forget her?!"
It looks like I'll need the car after all. I know just what I'm going to do today. I'm going to see Vicki. Now just where did I put my phone?
"Hey, Bubble, how far away is Zed's Subs?"
"From your location, Zed's Subs is twenty-five minutes away."
"Woah, that's much closer than I thought it would be. That's most likely because I used to live on the other side of town."
→ 25 Minutes Later
I finally arrived at my destination. This place hasn't changed after all these years. I hope it's alright that I parked on the curb. Well, time to see if the inside changed at all. Please be working today, Vicki.
"Erica, Erica Earhart? Is that you?"
Oh my god, it's Mr. Lee. He sure hasn't aged as much.
"Mr. Lee, it's so good to see you. How did you recognize me after so long?"
"Well, what do you mean? I cannot forget that blonde hair of yours and those blue glasses as well. Although they were a different shape back then, you always loved that color. I stand back a moment. How you've grown."
"Well, maybe that bread and ice cream helped, haha!"
"Haha, your parents always gave me an ear afterward."
"I remember. So, how are you doing?"
"Me? Just about the same. Keeping busy around the store and caring for Carol, of course."
"How is she doing these days? If you don't mind me asking."
"No, no, not at all. Carol is doing well and still yells at me at the house when I walk with shoes on. But other than that, we are all healthy. Vicki graduates this year, so we'll be closing a chapter in our life."
"That's good. I'm so glad things are well."
"I am, too; I'm just happy we're all healthy."
"Very good. You'd mentioned Vicki before. Is she working by any chance?"
"Not today. Tomorrow. Why did you want to see Vicki?"
"Yes, I was hoping to see her."
"Well, I'm sure she'd be happy to see you. I have some things to do in the back; it was lovely to see you. Pick out whatever you want."
"No, I couldn't possibly do that. I appreciate it, Mr. Lee; you've always taken good care of us."
"Don't worry about it. I let Aaron do it, but he always says "no" when I tell him it's free. If anything, he overpays me every time."
"AARON!"
I didn't even think about what I was saying and just blurted out his name. I think I scared Mr. Lee so much that he jumped ten feet back.
"Huh, what's this?"
"Oh, I'm sorry for yelling. I just got, well, it's nothing. You just said Aaron, and it made me think of someone else I know, thats all."
"You can't bull crap me, missy. You know I was talking about the Wheeler kid, and he was here about ten minutes ago."
"Did he say where he was going?"
"Hey, calm down before you give this old man a heart attack."
"Sorry. I didn't mean anything by all my abrupt energy."
Why was Aaron here of all places? Did he come looking for Vicki as well?
"It's quite alright. First of all, Aaron came here to get his usual. And..."
"Wait, his usual? Are you saying he comes here all the time?"
"Well, yes, every Saturday after he does his run. Although it was strange, he didn't seem to be running, not in running clothes either."
Well, that explains it. I have a good idea where Aaron is going.
"Mr. Lee, something just came up, and I have to head out. Thank you for your hospitality, and it was great to see you."
"Oh, you're quite welcome, and same to you." (Young love, huh? It Truly puts a smile on my face about those two. Something unique about them.)
That wheat turkey eating hungry tomato crunchy lettuce silly banana pepper sub lover. He's going to the farm. I can't believe I remembered that as a kid; you can't escape me anymore, Aaron. I want to see what output you'll be putting out now. Now that last night I told you about me and what happened between my father.
→ Aaron
Comments (0)
See all