Chapter 2

Thursday August 4,

We're on our way. Joy! Note I mean that sarcastically. I hate moving! Emily showed up to help. I miss her so much already! We had a big teary hug goodbye when we finished loading Henry and the U-haul trailer Grandpa rented. I still can't believe he did that for me. I think it was so great! Now all my valuables are safely locked away where Shelly can't reach them. Not that she's tried. She's been too busy bossing everyone around. I think the moving men would like to smack her. I know I would!

Having the trailer also means that I didn't have to put anything at all into the moving van. All the boxes went into the trailer leaving Henry to carry my bike, wagon, and all my furniture.

I miss Emily. She tried to get our parents to let her visit and help me unpack and neither would let her. They say she can visit after we get settled in. I really hope they will let her.

Grandpa just told me that there was a problem at the shop and that I'll have to unpack on my own. He said he was sorry and I told him it was ok and that I understood. He said he'd leave me with the keys so I could unlock the trailer and move Henry if I need too.

I couldn't help smile at that. Grandpa and Grandma let me drive. The rents wouldn't even dream of it. If it wasn't for my Grandparents I wouldn't even have my license! Boy were the Rents pissed when they found out! Grandma and Grandpa however just calmly asked them how old they were when they got their license. They both got theirs when they were sixteen. I got mine two months after I turned seventeen. That was four months ago and I wouldn't have gotten it if Grandma and Grandpa hadn't taken me to the DMV.

Shelly is of course demanding to get her driver's license. The Rents say she'll have to wait until she's sixteen. Sixteen! (Grrr!) How's that for fair?

I can't believe The Mom told me off for ordering blood at McGregors. Sheesh! It isn't like I can help needing it. Grandpa of course had no problem with it at all.

I can't believe it! I have my own apartment! I'm not joking! I really have my own apartment! It's really a converted attic but it's all mine! The Rents aren't happy about it at all. In fact the Mom is seriously pissed! I insisted they keep their promise we could pick out our own rooms. The moving men even helped out by saying they weren't being paid to move me out, just in. The foreman, I guess, winked at me as he said it. He even gave me a card to call for a job! This is so great!

I'm getting ahead of my self but can you blame me? My own apartment! (Aaiieeeee!)

When we arrived, Grandma was waiting by the front door waving at us. I waved back and then helped Grandpa back in. Then he told me to go on in and pick out a room and that he'd get Henry ready to unload. When I asked if he was sure he said, he was and shooed me out with a smile. So I picked up my backpack and joined Grandma, The Rents and Shelly at the front door. They had gotten out of the van at that point and had come over. They had to park across the street. We all gave Grandma a hug and Dad opened the door. Shelly pushed in before anyone could do anything else.

Then Dad picked Mom up and carried her over the threshold, making her blush. I was surprised to see them do something so romantic. As Grandma followed the Rents in and started to show them the kitchen, Shelly poked her head out from the next room down the hall yelling, "This is my room!" I followed everyone inside and headed down the hall.

I guess I should describe the house. Facing the house the garage is on the left then the dining area and the living room on the right. The kitchen follows the dining area. A wall separated the kitchen from the living room. There's a hall closet opposite Shelly's room, which is behind the living room.

At Shelly's room and just past the hall closet is another hall. It leads past the kitchen and hall bathroom to another hall and more bedrooms behind the garage. I didn't find out about that until later though. I just walked quietly down the hall looking around. When I got to Shelly's room, she screeched, "No peaking!" and slammed the door in my face. Then she opened it again and yelled, "You're room is down there!" pointing further down the hall.

Further down had four doors, two on the left one on the right and one at the end of the hall. The one next to Shelly's, on the right, opened up to a family room. I could see part of the back yard past the sliding glass doors.

The door opposite that one was the linen closet followed by the bathroom. That just left the door across the hall. I opened it and found myself in a short hallway that turned to the left. I shut the door behind me and thanked God there was a lock on it. I locked the door and continued on to look at the back yard through the window.

What I could see of the back yard was great! There is lots of open space and different kinds of fruit trees and space for a garden in front of a huge shed that lined the back fence. The view to right was blocked by a wall though. I found out later that it's a little shower and changing area for the hot tub, which is right under the window.

After looking at the back yard I turned to look at my room only to see it wasn't really a room at all. It was another hall way. At the end there were two doors, a glass one leading outside and another leading to the bedroom hallway behind the garage. Against the inside wall is a staircase that went up to a landing and then turned back towards the front of the house.

Curious I went up and opened the door at the top of the stairs. I could not believe my eyes when I opened the door. I found my self in an open area. Directly ahead of me was a small kitchen area with a dining area at the far end. It's just like the kitchen and dining area down below but scaled down. And with older appliances I found out later. They all work though. The other difference is that the dining area doesn't lead off to the living room. It's just a booth table, like in a restaurant.

To right, (Looking towards the front of the house. It's on the left if your looking back from the front), is an open living room area followed by a full bathroom. The opposite side had a bedroom area and a small walk in closet. The only real difference between the living room and the bedroom was that the living room had bookshelves and a TV unit installed against the back wall. The ceilings in the side rooms were sloped because of the roof. At the back there's a laundry area complete with washer and dryer.

Looking around stunned I felt my backpack slip off and fall to the floor with a thunk. Then I started laughing. It started as a giggle but then it grew and grew until I was bent over holding my stomach with tears in my eyes and unable breathe!

It really is funny! If Shelly hadn't been so determined to have the room next to the living room she'd have found the apartment first. Instead she practically ordered me to have it! That thought still makes me giggle! (tee hee)

When I thought about Shelly though I quickly covered my mouth with my hands. I didn't want anyone to hear me. As silently as I could I went through the apartment trying to determine what was over where. I figured that part of the bedroom had to be over Shelly's room. But even putting my ear to the floor I could barely hear anything. The silence made me smile. Then I realized that I was going to have a hard time keeping this room. Once Shelly found out about it she'd demand it. And I doubted the Rents would let me have it on principle. The only way I had a chance of keeping it is if when they found out about it all of my things were already inside.

I quickly ran for the door and smiled when I saw keys hanging from it. I checked them in the door and found one set worked. Then I hurried down stairs and found the others worked for the door leading to the bedroom hall and outside. I quickly let myself out the back after locking the bedroom hall door. That's when I saw that there was another door at the end of the bedroom hall that also led outside. Now I knew if I could pull it off there'd be no reason at all for me to leave them unlocked as I wasn't blocking any access outside. They had their own exit.

I ran around the side of the house and let myself out the gate next to the garage. I found Grandpa was waiting for me with Henry's keys.

"What are you doing coming through there?" he asked.

Thinking quick I said, "My room's in the back. I thought it'd be easier to go in that way instead of going through the house and banging into the walls."

He smiled as he nodded and said, "Good idea" Then he said. "Here's Henry's keys and the keys to the trailer. I hate to drop and run but you know how it is."

I nodded and gave him a hug. He hugged me back and then we walked towards Grandma's car. She asked if I'd picked out a room and I nodded. She apologized about not being able to help to but I told her it was ok. I gave them both hugs and waved as they drove away. Then I took my wagon out of Henry and opened the trailer.

I quickly filled the wagon with boxes, locked the trailer, and pulled the wagon into the back. I unloaded the boxes in front of the doors so I could unlock them and not get into trouble. I figured with Mom and Shelly busy ordering everyone around that it'd be a while before they checked on me but I didn't want to take chances.

Then I went back for another load. I made couple more trips with the wagon and then I started using Grandpa's dolly for the heavier stuff. After lugging a bunch upstairs I came down to find Mom pounding on the door. I called out, "Hold on! I've got boxes in the way!"

I shoved them around and said, "Yes?"

"I just wanted to know what you were doing."

"I'm unpacking."

"I think that could wait until you've finished unloading that trailer your grandfather just had to rent."

"Uh ... right good idea."

Then the Mom looked at me and asked, "Why haven't I seen you bringing anything inside?"

"I've been bringing things in through the back yard. I didn't want to get into anyone's way or bang up the walls."

Mom looked at me for a few moments and then said, "Well I can see your thinking ahead for a change. Keep it up."

(Grrr!)

"Yes Mom" I replied. Then she turned and started giving more orders to the moving men. I quickly shut the door and shoved the boxes back in front of it. Then I gave a big sigh of relief. I didn't wait too long though before going back to finish unloading.

It took longer to unload than it did loading when Grandpa and Emily helped but not as long as I thought it would. I was in a hurry and happy thinking about my apartment so that made the time go faster.

Once all the boxes were inside I loaded up the dresser. After I emptied the trailer I started on Henry. I parked my bike, and wagon, under the stairs. Then I hauled up the bed frame up and put it together. Then I started lugging up the mattress and springs. That took a lot of work! I was huffing and puffing by the time I got them on the bed. I couldn't help flopping back onto the bed and laying there until my breathing slowed back to normal.

I hated having to get up. I was really beat. All I wanted to do at that point was sleep but I still had to finish unloading Henry. I took the ice chest out of Henry and brought it up. I had a coke and then moved the rest of the cokes and blood into the fridge. Then I went back down for more things.

When I got to my desk though I had to ask for help. It's just way too heavy for me to move on my own. I mean I can shove it around and maybe get it tilted to use the dolly but getting it upstairs is beyond me. It was even hard work for the moving men! They even had to remove the stair railing so they could turn it. Once we got it inside and in place though all the work was worth it!

I gave them all cokes, which they accepted thankfully, as they looked around the room. Finally the foreman said, "Nice place kid. I hope you get to keep it."

I smiled. "I hope so too. That's why I'm working so hard to get everything in and unpacked before the Rents find out."

They all nodded and he said, "Hope it works. Thanks for the coke."

The other two thanked me also and I thanked them for the help.

They put my railing back up and one of them helped me finish unloading Henry. I just had a couple small bookcases left. Once everything was in I thanked them again and got busy unpacking. I didn't do a real neat job but I did get some things unpacked and on the shelves and thrown into drawers. I'm going to have to go through and sort everything later.

I was about half way finished unpacking when I heard the Mom yelling my name. That surprised me since I couldn't really hear anything down stairs. Following her voice I went to my dining room and climbing onto one of the bench seats opened up my front window and peaked through the shutters. She was standing in the front yard fuming, hands on hips, tapping her foot. I quickly went down stairs and came out the door behind me, locking it as I did so. The keys were still safely in my pocket.

I went out to the front door and said, "Yes Mom?"

"Where have you been?" she demanded.

"In my room unpacking. Why?"

"Why didn't you answer when I knocked?"

I'm sorry. I guess I was so busy I didn't hear you."

The Mom sniffed at me and said, "You have some explaining to do young lady. Come with me."

She led me straight to Shelly's room and a pile of boxes. The Dad, Shelly and the moving men were all in the room and none of them looked happy. The Mom pointed to a pile of boxes on the bed and said, "Would you care to explain the contents of those boxes?"

I looked in one labeled "Shelly's Computer" and had to bite my lip to keep from smiling. Inside was a 50lb bag of potting soil. Next to it was a box with a 25lb bag of sand and another filled with bricks. Each also had Shelly's name written on them, in her handwriting. However you could clearly see some thing else had been written on them but had been scratched out.

"Either Shelly mislabeled her boxes or she's taking up gardening and didn't want you to know." I said.

Shelly started to say something but the Mom raised her hand and Shelly shut up. The Mom was clearly pissed. "Shelly says these boxes belong to you."

"Why would they belong to me. They have her name on them."

Then I saw one of the movers turn away with his hand over his mouth. The others looked like they were trying not to laugh too. I think they figured it out.

"We both know that Shelly wouldn't take up gardening. Now explain yourself!"

"Well Mom, that is Shelly's hand writing on the box. So she's either playing a practical joke on the movers," I said lightly and finished "or she stole these boxes from me." much quieter with a glare at Shelly. Shelly tried to look defiant but it didn't last. I had her and we all knew it.

The Mom flinched as if I'd slapped her. I guess in a way I did, with the truth. Even the Dad was looking up and shaking his head.

Shelly started to protest but the Mom cut her off with a glare that made Shelly cower. "Shelly you will apologize to these men for wasting their time right this minute. Then you are grounded for the rest of the week. Do you understand me?"

I guess the Mom chose to accept Shelly had committed the lessor of two evils. Still it was nice to hear her have to apologize to the movers. Then the Mom made her apologize to me for trying to put the blame on me. That was so sweet!

We all accepted her apology and started to move more things after the Mom apologized to the movers for Shelly's behavior.

Shelly started to glare at me but the Dad said, "Shelly do not glare at your sister. You only have yourself to blame for this"

Then Mom turned to me and told me, "Go back to your room and finish unpacking."

"Yes Mom" I replied meekly and quickly left the room. As soon as I was safe up here though I burst out laughing. I mean how could I not?

Later when I went out to get some things out of Henry's back seat the foreman said, "Nice touch kid."

I put on an innocent face and said, "Huh?"

He just laughed. "It was a pain in my back but it was worth it seeing that brat get it." Then he laughed again and patted me on the shoulder. "You're alright kid." Then he tilted his head toward the house and said, "Better get back to work."

I nodded and scurried inside with my box.

A little while later I heard Mom angrily yelling for me again. This time I was about finished unpacking. Mostly I was just sorting. So when I got to my front window I opened the shutters and called down, "Yes Mom?"

The Mom's mouth dropped open when she saw me. The Dad's did too. So did Shelly's in fact. Then she went all apoplectic pointing at me sputtering while her face changed so many delightful colors. It was really fun to watch.

Finally the Mom demanded to know, "What are you doing up there?"

"I'm unpacking. Why?"

"You're not staying in the attic."

"I'm not. I'm in my room."

"Come down here and move the truck. Then we'll discuss whether that's your room or not." She ordered.

I went down stairs and out the door I'd opened for the Mom earlier, pushing Shelly out of my way and pulling it locked it behind me. I enjoyed yelling, "No peaking!" at her. I suppose I shouldn't have but it was only fair.

I moved Henry so the Dad could move his car into the garage and the Mom could park in the driveway. Then I backed in on the grass by the fence. The Mom demanded to know why I was parking on the grass and I pointed to the trailer.

"I have to in order to hook the trailer back up"

The Mom, "Hmm"ed again and then said, "Let's go see this room."

"Okay." I said brightly and then led her, the Dad, and the movers through the garage, down the bedroom hallway. That was when I found out there were three bedrooms and a bathroom in that part of the house. Actually there's two bathrooms but one's the master bath. I led them into the downstairs area and shut the door behind me. I led the way up the stairs saying "See I have a place out of the way to put my bike and wagon, where I won't have to worry about them."

Meaning I won't have to worry about Shelly sabotaging them and the Rents won't have to complain about me parking it inside.

As I did I heard Shelly scream in frustration as she realized there was another door and then I heard the sound of running feet. I couldn't help grinning as I opened my door and let everyone in. "And here's my room."

The Dad looked surprised but the Mom took one look and said, "Pack everything up. You're moving down stairs."

"No." I said defiantly.

The Mom squinted at me. "What did you say?" she asked slowly.

She was really scary but I had to face her if I wanted my room, which I did. So I took a breath and said, "I said, 'No'. I'm not packing my things up and moving down stairs. You," I pointed at her, "promised we could pick our rooms. You even made Dad give up his office because Shelly wanted to be closer to the big screen TV. This is the room I picked. I'm not giving it up."