Chapter 3

“Parker, when’s mom coming home?” Shelly asked, looking up from her algebra homework.

I glanced back at the small digital clock on the microwave; it read 7:30 pm. “I don’t know Shells, all she said was that she’d be back by Sunday… she didn’t tell me what time”

“But I need her to sign my permission slip for my field trip tomorrow…” Shelly sighed.

“Hmm, Just leave it on my dresser, I’ve gotten pro at forging her signature, I can sign it for you” I promised. Shelly nodded, and turned back to her homework, which reminded me of the schoolwork I’ve been neglecting for the weekend.

“Hey Shell, would you mind watching Neil & Em while I head to the library for about an hour?” I asked “The Wiggles movie is on TV, so they should be occupied until I get back anyways… Just make sure they don’t kill each other.”

“No problem” Shelly promised. I have to hand it to my little sister, she may be a relentless annoyance, but she really is there when I needed her.

I walked to the front entrance, slipping on my ratty low-top chucks, and slung my backpack over one shoulder. “Be back in an hour, Love you guys!” I waited for a chorus of acknowledged mumbles in response, and walked outside, closing the heavy wooden door behind me.

The wind kissed my face with its cool October breeze. The night was calm as the sun was just about set over the Westerly horizon. There were leaves scattered across the sidewalk, crunching under my feet as I made my way to the public library just a few short blocks away.

I quickly looked both ways before crossing Hopefront Street, The notorious borderline between the rich part of town and… our part of town. The city did a nice job of making the transition between the two nearly seamless… but as I slowly progressed, it was hard not to notice that the hedges were now more neatly trimmed, the fences were just that few shades whiter than they has been a few houses down, and the roofs were no longer patched and discoloured.

When I was younger, I had always dreamed of living in one of these houses… with my own television in my room, and big pool with a water slide in the backyard. There was one house in particular that I had always fantasized about… It was just a few houses up now.

It was a red brick house, three stories high, with a black-shingled roof. The front door was crisp white, along with the detached garage beside it. There was a giant willow tree in the front yard with a tire swing hanging off one of the branches. As I passed the house, my pace slowed, trying once again to memorize every detail of the property. The lawn was neatly trimmed -as always-; the flowers were carefully kept, not a wilt in sight – as always-. My pace slowed further, as I squinted to see the tire swing in the glow of the streetlights.

Suddenly, there was a rustling in the distance. A male form walked out of the house, carrying a garbage bag, crossing the distance between the house and the garage. He looked up, and spotted me watching him from the sidewalk. “Um… hello?” he said, his voice plainly adolescent.

Crap I’m caught. I quickly muttered a lame “ugh hi” and hurried off in the direction of the library. I probably looked like such a creeper.

I sped up, and hugged myself in my sweater in an attempt to stay warm. I had made it to the library not too long afterwards, grateful for the shelter from the winds, which were beginning to pick up vigor.

I made my way over to my favourite study carol, and flicked the computer on, waiting for the old desktop to boot up. I looked around and quickly found the engraving I had done in my freshman year. “P.Mac 05” I laughed under my breath. I was such a loser. I had spent countless hours in this study carol over the years. I didn’t have a computer at home, so all of my research papers, speeches, and projects had to be written at the Library; not that I minded. The environment here was much more studious, rather than hazardous. And studious is something I was required to be with my eyes set on a scholarship to the University of Michigan.

I yanked out my History Binder and set it in front of me, looking at my assignment outline. “Hello Caesar” I mumbled under my breath as I got to work on my ancient civilizations homework.