Fights, Relationships, and Everything Else!

“My mother had always wanted for us to have a good childhood! She had every intention to raise us in one town, one home! To be with friends, make friends-” I was interrupted abruptly.1

“Would you stop talking about your past?! For goodness sake Sarah! What does this have to do with us? Huh? Please, explain this to me,” he said while gesturing the palm of his hands towards me.2

“Peter, listen to me. This comes up because it had an effect on me. Life happens, and I know this. It’s just…being pulled in so many directions and…” I trailed off, and stared into his cold, dark eyes. My body started to shake as I felt a hand settle upon my shoulder. 3

“Sarah! Would ya quit day dreaming, and come on?” As everything focused I realized I was still at the mall with Tiffany. 4

“Oh, yeah…right” I sighed as I moved my feet. It was drawing near closing time. 5

“Let’s head for the exit over there,” she said, while pointing to the silver double doors. I nodded in agreement, while shifting the two bags from my right hand to the left. We headed out to the parking lot to make our way home. Forty-five minuets later I pulled up to Tiffany’s house.6

“Is everything okay with you?” she said while unbuckling her seat belt, and then turned towards me.7

“Yeah, fine why do you ask?” She remained silent, and then took a breath while looking straight into my eyes. It was like she was searching for her answer in my eyes. I reached for the ignition key by the steering wheel to turn the car off. She cleared her throat.8

“Sarah?”9

“Yes?”10

“Did you and Peter break up? You’ve been acting so distraught lately, and you didn’t look like you enjoyed going to the mall today,” She sounded like she was chocking back tears. 11

“Tiffany, everything is fine okay? I just had a bad day, that’s all. It is possible for one to have a bad day, is it not?” I asked her while reaching for my key. She turned the other way, and sighed. Opening the door she stepped out, and said one more thing before closing it. 12

“I just want you to know that you can tell me anything. Don’t forget about our talk on trust; I know your past. You told me all about your past. I know what happened, but you should loosen up a little. I love you like a sister…call me when you come around okay?” With that she closed the door, and made her way up the porch steps. I backed out of her driveway, and made my way home. 13

I rubbed my eyes, and glared at my watch. It was nearly 11 o’clock; finally I was home. It wasn’t the greatest place to live; just a small town. It was on the rise thought, with developers everywhere putting up houses. I don’t think anyone has to think too hard on why the towns called “Plainfield”. Illinois is known for several things, but to me it’s flat land, and corn. I go to a fairly new school; it’s only four years old. Already they’re thinking about building another high school. That would be the third one! We’re already in competition with Plainfield Central. Then there’s us, Plainfield South, and the soon to be Plainfield North. I shook my head, and stepped up to my front porch.  14

“I really have to take off some of these old keys. I always forget which is the house key for here. I still have the key from my previous house,” I shook the entangled key till it was finally freed. I swung open the door, and was immediately greeted by the fresh smell of pumpkin. 15

“Mom must be burning that “Pumpkin Pie Delight” candle she got last week at the grocery store,” I breathed it in deeply. The funny thing is I hate pumpkin pie. I love the smell though, so sweet, refreshing, makes me think of Thanksgiving. Speaking of Thanksgiving, it’s coming up in about two weeks, that’s probably why she’s burning it. 16

“Mom? You down there?” I shouted at the doorway to the basement.17

“Yes!” I made my way down the steps into the cool basement. I saw the glow from the computer screen, and the soft light of the lamp on the desk. 18

“What are you working on?” I asked as I made my way over to her.19

“I’ve been trying to finish up these orders. I have to go to one of my accounts tomorrow. There’s a big order sitting in the back room. The manager called me earlier today wondering when I would be visiting. Its sits in their back room for less than a week, and they’re already calling me wondering where I’m at,” she said shaking her head as she continued to stare at the screen, with “click, click, click” of the keys. 20

“Yeah, with it being December next month, the Christmas season is already a go. It’s going to pick up I’m sure, it’s giftware, why not?” I said, as she continued typing on her keyboard.21

“Huh? What did you say Sarah?” she spun the swivel chair around to face me.22

“Nothing Mom, I’ll let you get back to work. Do you need anything before I head off to bed?”23

“No thanks, I’m fine,” she said while turning back to face the computer. As she continued her typing, I headed back up the faint creaky stairs. 24

Heading up the winding stairs, I made my way over to the vanity table in my room. Sitting down on the plush, cushioned stool, I reached for the hairbrush resting next to the silver frame, which held a picture of Peter, and I in it. I noticed my tan smooth skin, as I brushed my shoulder length, chocolate colored hair.25

“Is it ever worth it? Putting yourself through such emotional distress, just to be with someone? Having a sense of security, and warm arms to wrap around you to hold you? Things like relationships are always complicated; I just don’t know if it’s worth it,” I breathed deeply while letting the thoughts settle into the back of my mind. Setting down my brush, I reached for the covers on my bed, and pulled them back. I slipped into the cool, soft covers, and drifted off to sleep.  26

“So you had an unfortunate childhood; how does that really affect you? Can’t you overcome things like that by pursuing dreams, thinking positive, and just overcoming your unfortunate past? Honestly Sarah, stop feeling so darn sorry for yourself,” he stood there just staring at me with a face of disgust.27

“How does that affect me? How, does that affect me? Oh, Peter Kiroco, do you really know me?”28

“Well, you haven’t exactly gone over your whole childhood with me. All I got was bits, and pieces of things. You never really discuss how you feel. Quite frankly, you really haven’t opened up to me. That’s what all this tells me, honestly Sarah, wake up! Wake up Sarah,” 29

“Sarah wake up!” Who’s voice was I hearing? Not Peter’s. I opened my eyes only to be greeted by the rays of the sun pouring in.30

“Sarah, it’s nearly noon! You don’t need to sleep in all day! Get up you,” I realized it was Mom talking to me. I sat up, and saw here standing next to my bed. 31

“Just…just a dream,” I sighed, and looked over at my alarm clock that sat on top of my bureau. It was 12:05 p.m. Seeing I was awake, my Mom left the room. Stumbling out of bed, I stretched, and reached for the sky. I paused, and then yawned. I slowly progressed down the stairs to the kitchen. I heard a door open, and then slam shut. Following was a humming sound, which usually means the garage door is opening.32

“I guess she’s leaving then. Oh yeah, that’s right, today’s Saturday! She must be going over to that account she was telling me about last night,” I continued my mumbling to myself as I looked for something to eat.33

After having “brunch” as they call it, I headed back up to the second floor to where the bathroom was. After brushing my teeth, showering, drying my hair, dressing along with everything else, I then went to my room. 34

“Well, now what? I slept most of the day away, what should I do?” I pondered this while lying on top of my bed, staring at the ceiling. I thought about Tiffany. Perhaps I should call her, and apologize for the way I acted towards her. I reached for my cell phone on the vanity table, and flipped it open. I watched as the screen lit up, and looked to see if I had any messages.  Seeing there were none, I slowly dialed Tiffany’s phone number. I heard it ringing, once, twice, three…35

“Hello?”36

“Tiffany? It’s Sarah,” I heard her clear her throat.37

“Hey Sarah, good to hear from you. What’s up?”38

“Um, about yesterday, I want to apologize,” I said, while twirling my hair.39

“About what? Oh, yes, what you said in the car right?”40

“Yeah, I’m really sorry about that. I was just having a bad day, and I didn’t handle it very well…” I paused, waiting to see if she would say anything.41

“I understand you have been under a lot of stress. School’s a bit tough, and then there’s juggling everything else. If you don’t mind me asking…” I interrupted her.42

“Peter and I didn’t break up. I don’t plan on doing that any time soon. We just had a tense fight is all. I knew our relationship would hit a few bumps now, and then. You know, hurdles…we have our differences, and it’s only natural for us to disagree at times. I haven’t talked to him since the fight on Wednesday,” I sat up, and leaned against the headboard of the bed. I glanced at the clock, and then listened attentively, waiting for Tiffany to speak.43

“Well, I’m glad you’re talking with me. You can trust me; you just have to learn how to trust others, especially Peter. You don’t think he’s two timing you or anything do you?” There was a pause, I was thinking. 44

“No…I don’t think he’s doing anything like that. We just had a disagreement, honestly. We both needed some time to cool off, and to think about what we said to one another. Despite the fact that we come from similar backgrounds, he fails to see that I missed out on a lot. His parents never divorced, he’s only moved two times, he was never abused…you know this. The list goes on, but I still love him. I haven’t told him everything, you know more than him. I don’t know if I’m ready to move forward, to be more open with him, you know?” I asked while staring at the ceiling. My wrist started to hurt from holding the cell phone up to my ear for so long.45

“Hey Tiffany? Can you hold on for a second? I want to plug in the head set to my cell phone, this way I can rest my hand…hold on” I hopped off the bed, and reached for the drawer under the vanity table. I pulled it out, and reached for the black headset. I plugged it into my phone, adjusted the mouthpiece, and then sat back down onto my bed.46

“You done there?”47

“Yeah,” I nodded despite the fact that I was talking on the phone. 48

“You know, you should call Peter. It’s been enough time, and you should apologize to him. And hopefully he will do the same. I know Peter can be ill tempered sometimes, or isn’t that all guys? Who knows?” She gave a faint laugh.49

“I guess you’re right…” I gave off a long sigh then continued.50

“Well…Tiffany I have to go. I’m glad I called you; it helped clear some things in my mind. I can always count on you,”51

“No problem, that’s what I’m here for. Don’t forget that opening up will help you understand each other. You have been with him for a year now, and I think it’s safe to tell him more about yourself. Just one step at a time, no need to rush yourself. Well, call me when you get a chance,” 52

“Yeah,”53

“Bye,”54

“Bye,” I heard a “click”, then the humming of the dial tone. I fell backwards onto my bed, and stared at the ceiling. I seem to do this often; perhaps I should put some posters up there.55

“Oh, Peter, Peter, Peter. Well, I hope he’s home. I would feel a lot better if I talked to him face to face. There’s more truth in the expression then there is in the voice. Oh geez, what am I saying? Darn it Sarah! Just call him already!” I closed my eyes, and then opened them while holding down the one button. I have him on speed dial, of course.56

“No,” I hit end on the phone.57

“Better yet, I’ll just call him on his cell. He always has it with,” I held down the number two button, and then listened on my headset as it dialed. 58

“Hello?” It was him no doubt, with his mildly deep voice.59

“Peter, it’s Sarah,” I said while wringing my hands.60

“Sarah?”61

“Yeah, I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to talk about Wednesday, and-”62

“Sarah, don’t speak,” He said in a soft tone.63

“Peter, what are you-” 64

“I was selfish, and I put you down. I didn’t consider that not everyone has my life. I got angry with you, and didn’t bother to give you a chance. I could have been more supportive, and caring. I really lost it. The thing is…my parents have been fighting for the past two weeks. I’ve just about had it. I couldn’t understand…why now? Twenty years they’ve been together. I thought they were so happy…” I was frozen, I couldn’t move. This explains why he had been acting so different lately. What I don’t understand is why I never saw this; I never saw anything when I went to his house. He continued, breaking my trance of thoughts.65

“My Mother had cheated on my Father, some younger guy of course. I don’t know much else; the yelling drove me out of the house. It really made me reflect on our relationship, and what we have. I know this pales in comparison when it comes to your hell bound life, but I feel as if I understand better,” I heard the doorbell ring.66

“Uh, Peter, I’m sorry, but there’s someone at the door can you hold on?” I ran down the stairs to the door. I caught my breath, and quickly unlocked the door.67

“Peter?!” My mouth was open, and my jaw nearly hit the ground. He had something behind his back. He reached for it. It was a single red rose.68

“This single red rose represents my love. It represents that you’re they only one for me, Sarah Parcours. I want to get to know you more, and I’m willing to share more of my past with you. To share my past, to be in your future. Together we can live out better days, waiting for every dawn to come. I’m really sorry Sarah, I just don’t want to loose you,” He had knelt down, and grabbed my hand. I looked into his deep, brown eyes, and pulled him up to me. I felt his smooth face.69

“Peter, that was absolutely beautiful…I had no idea. I’m sorry about your parents. I feel a bit selfish on my behalf, I’m sorry,” I looked away. He touched my cheek, and turned my face towards him. He leaned in, and I closed my eyes. I felt his soft lips onto mine.70

“Peter, you’re so good to me,” With that, I threw my arms around his neck, and felt his warm arms wrap around me.  71

THE END72