Chapter 1
1106 Words
The sun filtered through Halle's yellow floral print curtains while she turned in her bed and ran her hands through her hair. She could hear her Dad hum alongside country music from their old radio in the kitchen. Derek was definitely still asleep, if not, he would have come ransacking her room for little nothings.
“Halle! Today's newspaper is out!” her Dad called out.
Jumping up, Halle rushed to the kitchen. “Morning Dad. How'd you know I was awake?” She gave him a peck as he flipped the eggs on fire.
“You never wake up later than 10.”
“Maybe I do now,” she replied before bringing in the newspaper from the threshold.
Chuckling, her dad replied, “Have you been expecting something new? You seem so eager.”
“No,” Halle muttered, rubbing her forehead. “Wharton Elementary has been merged with another high school in the neighboring county, Fort Bend. This means my contract has ended.”
“That’s sad. One way or the other this was expected. You were briefed, right?”
Three months ago, there had been issues in the district about little or no funding to continue running the school. The community has fought tooth and nail to retain the school and guide against the restructuring. Campaigns, crowdfunding and many more attempts had been made by the mayor and the entire community but obviously, these now proved abortive. The Daily Newsfeed had released an issue stating the restructuring becomes effective in a week.
“Yes Dad. We all hoped for better. This only means I don’t get another contract. Officially out of job. At least, we have a week with the kids. A week's notice to maybe get another job. It's been a while coming.”
“A while coming? We’ve never discussed you looking for other options. Teaching is your forte, I know you'll miss the kids but I thought you would love to take the job at the book store.”
Halle and her Dad talk about everything. Sports, food, career, anything. She had plans to relocate to a bigger city to teach but had never made mention to her Dad. She couldn’t bring herself to break her Dad's heart. Derek was aware of her desires. Halle thought back to the days where she would assist her Dad, care for Derek, help at the ranch, become a sales manager at the bookstore and at the same time, go to college. She took a part-time class so she could be close to home. After graduation, she got a job as a teacher at the elementary school near home and has been teaching ever since. Halle yearned for a new horizon, maybe New York or California, that wouldn’t be bad. She couldn’t wait to explore life or maybe, make a few friends.
Halle paused, stared onto the space then replied softly, “No, Dad.”
“No? Would you rather work for me on my ranch?” He laughed. “I could create a space or two for you.”
His laugh faded as he watched Halle as she rubbed gently on her elbow. This was a habit whenever she felt anxious.
“Is everything okay, Halle? You can talk to me.” Dan dropped the napkin on the table and moved closer to his daughter.
“Dad. I want out. I want to let go of this whole place. I need to be far away to find myself. I want more.”
Dan moved close to Halle and enveloped her in a hug. “You could have said this earlier, love. You don’t have to stay here. You should get more of the life that you desire.”
“I’m sorry Dad. I’m so sorry,” Halle muttered as tears slowly filled her eyes, “I didn’t know how to tell you. I don’t want to leave you. I refuse to be her.”
“No baby. I am the one to be sorry. I should have known. No, you’ll never be her.” Derek stood by the door yawning, “What’s going on? Why are we having an emotional party?”
Halle wiped her eyes in a hurry while Derek moved to the dining table and stacked pancakes on his plate. ”Nothing is wrong Derek. Just got a little emotional about the elementary.”
Derek stuffed pancakes into his mouth, mumbling he replied, “I’m glad the high school is safe. How come there is funding for the high school and not the elementary? These are little kids, how much would it cost to cater for those little things?”
“Little things? Like you weren’t little at a point. Hell, you are still little. How old are you? 17?”
“Yeah? I am a grown man”, Derek picked up the eggs and stuffed some into his mouth.
“Easy there, young man. We don’t want you choking on your spit now, do we?” Dan continued setting the table and Halle joined him.
“Doesn’t this mean you’ve just lost your job, Halle? What’s the plan?”
“Probably never work again, grow old and die in your arms? How about that?” Halle placed a palm on her chest as made a mimic of dying.
"You wouldn’t dare. Don’t die on me, Halle... But seriously?"
“Charlie and I discussed the possibility of me being unemployed since the district issue started. I told him about my interest in moving to New York. He has offered to help and we’ll see how that goes?”
“Cool.”
“I know he would be glad to help. That boy is a good one,” her dad said while nodding.
Halle had only one friend and that was Charlie. He had left home immediately after high school and now works as a big reporter in New York but he never stopped talking to Halle. They remained as thick as thieves.
After breakfast, Dan left for work while Derek visited his friends. Halle spent her time going round the house, filling herself up with memories of the house. A picture with her pupils was placed close to the kitchen. It was from last Christmas and they had agreed to have a peaceful, quiet Christmas with no events. Her Dad had surprised her by inviting her pupils for a small carol at their house. The kids had composed a song for her and she couldn’t help but shed tears of joy as they all sang along. She was about to leave these sweet moments and venture into the wild.
- Writer
