The Swing Chapter One

1

A woman was standing infront of an open door. Her hair was up inside a bun and she was dressed for work. She was smiling and trying not to laugh at her stubborn daughter. Although she was a happy person she was starting to get irritated just a little.2

“Chalice, come here.” Shouted Mrs. Rogers, Chalice’s mom, for the last time. Chalice finally followed her moms voice out of the car. She was no taller then three feet and had very long blonde hair pulled back and put into a braid, her bright green eyes were the only thing that said she was happy at the moment as her face was tightened up into a little temper. “I promise you will have fun.” A bright smile stretching across a caring face. 3

“Mom, I really don’t want to go. Can’t I just pretend to be sick?” Chalice said with a doggy pout face beginning to appear.4

“Don’t give me that and you will have fun, this is just a birthday party and who knows maybe the boy of your dreams is here.” She said it with a happy tune, but she knew that wouldn’t change Chalice’s mind, but she also knew that she was going to get her daughter to go to the party. 5

“Mom, I’m only five, that is absolutely impossible.” Chalice was not going to be convinced that she was going to have a good time. 6

“Well you never know, your dad and I have known each other since we were seven.” She wasnt saying that Chalice would meet her future husband, but was trying to prove that it wasn’t impossible. 7

“Two year difference.” Chalice said as if she were tons older then just a simple five year old that had yet to go to school. 8

“Well, that attitude isn't getting you anywhere.” Mrs. Rogers tilted her head in a questioning way as if to ask are we going to go or we going to argue. Chalice knew what her mom meant and just started walking to the door. 9

A Tall man opened the door. He wore a smile along with a cooking apron, which said he was playing mom for the day. His hair was black and started to show a hint of gray, but a very small hint. His eyes were hazel with no fear as his face showed some age of wrinkling.“Hello, I’m Mr. Luciano. Well well well, who do we have here?” 10

“This is Chalice Rogers.” Mrs. Rogers leaned down to Chalice’s ear. Her high heels slightly slipped off her feet as she whispered, “Have fun.” She jolted back up quick enough so that Chalice couldn’t respond without having to speak out loud whatever was on her mind. Chalice was tempted to pull on her mom's skirt, however wasn’t afraid of Mr. Luciano hearing as he seemed a happy enough man like nothing could spoil his day.11

“Mom, how can I have fun, I don’t even know whose party this is for?” Before Mrs. Rogers could explain that it didn’t matter, it was just so she could meet some kids before she went to school, Mr. Luciano spoke up in a joyful tune.12

“Well we’ll just have to fix that wont we.” He turned around and shouted, “Tom come here a second will you.” 13

Chalice heard a young voice around her age shout back, “Sure dad.” A little boy bounced in. He was not much taller then Chalice with the same features as his dad only much younger and deep blue eyes that where covered by his hair which came down to his nose and only parted a little by his left eye. 14

Chalice wasn’t in the greatest mood, “ You need a haircut.” Mrs. Rogers apologized right away for her daughter’s rudeness, but Tom didn’t care much, he was in a happy mood just turning six and just replied back, “Yeah I know,” He giggled a little, “I ran into my cake because I couldn’t see where I was going. I was a mess.” Ignoring the fact that she really didn’t want to go to Tom’s party she started laughing too. “Hey, why don’t you come in, we can have tons of fun.” Chalice decided maybe this wasnt so bad after all and forgot the past couple minutes. They walked off together as he started listing all the things they could do. 15

“Well it looks like Chalice is going to be ok, so Ill just leave if that’s ok. I have some work to do.” Mrs. Rogers said as she watched her daughter walking off with what appeared to be her best friend since they moved.16

“Oh that’s fine, I know what you mean. Mrs. Luciano couldn’t help out for the same reason.” As he pionted to the apron, his embarassment of the day. Mr. Luciano just smiled and Mrs. Rogers headed towards her car. 17

“Oh by the way, I’m Chalice.” She stuck out her hand expecting a handshake.18

“I’m Tom." He didnt shake her hand, instand he gave a strange face towards it. "Uh." Tom moved his hand slowly and shook it.19

“Yeah, Im Chalice. No more handshake.” She took his stuttering to shake her hand as it was unusual. She had hung out with her parents a lot since they moved and they shook hands so she just thought it was how you greeted people. 20

"No more handshake." They smiled.21

"Ok."22

“So how old are you turning?” 23

“Six,” He said it with so much joy and he smiled to show how he felt to be older. “How old are you?” 24

“Oh I’m five. So are you in first grade?"25

"Yeah. One year ahead."26

Chalice was having so much fun and she had only been there for ten minutes. She could hardly believe how she felt just twelve minutes before, hating the fact that she had to come and wishing she never left the house. As Tom smiled, she couldn’t wait to go to school and see him everyday.27

Just two hours later her mom came by to pick her up. She begged her mom to let her stay a little longer and her mom pointed out how she was just begging her to not make her come, “You have to learn to make up your mind, either that or learn to trust me when I say your going to have fun and not argue with me.”28

“Oh, Ill believe you when you say I’m going to have fun, I wont argue about that anymore, just please please please please mom, let me stay a little longer.” Chalice got down on her knees to show just how much she really wanted to stay, while Tom was doing the same thing to his dad. 29

“Dad please let Chalice stay a little longer.” 30

“No Tom, it’s getting late and besides it’s not my decision.” Finally Tom and Chalice just gave up. They said there good-byes and Chalice was on her way. 31

In the car Chalice told her mom about how much fun she had and how she told her she was right. Mrs. Rogers just laughed and shook her head, “You are funny, you really are. I can’t wait for the fun I have ahead of me.” Chalice couldnt understand what she meant, but time would tell.32