Chapter One
1116 Words
September 27th - Tonight is the night,
Ember turns 21 and her friends have a
night in store for her. Chicago in September is
prefect, not to cold where you can still wear
something that shows off some skin and not to hot that the make up and hair actually stay in
place. Tonight plans include hitting every bar
and club, then ending up most likely in a
Denny’s at 4am. Typically, nothing different
from every other weekend. She is not truly
that excited but knows that her friends
planned this and just will go along and enjoy
what she can of the night.
Nineteen years ago Ember was adopted and
moved to a west suburb of Chicago, the small
city of Westmont. She grew up loving
everything about her town, the convinence to
the city, the food and the people. Her parents
enjoyed traveling, so she was able to take in so many lifestyles and culture but coming back to Westmont did always feel like a place she
called home.
Reflecting on her life in Westmont, she lets the shower wash over her almost cleansing any
stressful thought of tonight s adventure. She
still can’t help to think that tonights birthday
bash will somehow end up in the back end of
an alley, puking her cuts out from one to many
shots of Tito’s. She finishes her washing her
hair, shaving and lathering up in Lavender
body wash relieving just a little more stress
from her shoulders.
Standing in front of the mirror admiring the
hog-pog of an outfit she put together. It is so
hard to find anything that fits her style and her size, she stands a good five feet one, on a good day while laughing. Her petite frame and
height have always made shopping extremely
hard for her. However, she has to admit the
fitting Black skirt just above the knee did pair
well with the loose Red sleeveless shirt and
Black knee heel boots, tied with a Black and
red three layered necklace. Her blonde hair
flowing straight back to the middle of her back
and her Blue eyes outlined with Black eyeliner.
Yep, she was happy with the outcome. Looking at the clock realizing she needs to run, for some odd reason her parents begged her to
stop at the house first before going out. She
would have rather gone tomorrow, but she
agreed, so she better go.
A year ago she found this cute little stable
home behind another home for rent. She had
to jump on it, it is very hard to find anything
for rent that she could afford. At 16, she
started working for her uncles real estate firm
as their property manager, although she loves
what she does it does not always pay her
lifestyle. The drive to work and her parents
house is equal in distance, that was always
another plus.
“Almost there” she says to her Friend Toni on
the phone, indicating almost time to hang up.
“I will meet you at Tiffany’s apartment in 45
minutes, love ya” she hangs up the phone,
throws it in her purse and heads towards the
door.
She opens the door to a smell of smoke and
fire. Immediately, she freezes. Growing up,
part of those vacations always included a
campground they had in Seneca Illinois.
However, they along with so many more
occasions, never went well. Remembering back anytime there was a fire, from a campsite,
candle and well anything that had fire and if
she was close enough the fire always seemed to reach out to her or in her direction. On more
than one occasion her parents had to pour
water over her from fire on her body. What
she believed, the fire grabbed her arm and
would not let go. However, there was no burns
or blistering but because of that her parents
avoided candles and gas stoves. She was scared of fire, never understood it.
“Mom, Dad” She yells from the door. She
doesn't see smoke or any visible fire, but she
sure smells it and odd feeling, like she can feel
it.
Mom yells back “we’re in the kitchen”. Ember
heads towards the kitchen feeling that stress
from the shower earlier that she thought she
got rid of, is now back. Her mom and dad are
both sitting at the table. Her dad always with
his cigar just leaned back relaxed, a very
soothing wash comes over her. He chuckles
and hands her a box, it's a present for her
birthday. She opens the card and then opens
the box. Wow, it's the most beautiful stone
necklace. Odd color, looks like it changes from
red to black and green to blue. Humm, but loves it. She looks to her mom to say thank you
but her moms face says something different.
“What's wrong?” she asks. Her mom proceeds
to tell her that she is sorry to have to tell me
this on my birthday but “your biological
mother has passed away” she continues to tell
me that I was mentioned in her will. I look
over to my father, to try to read his face but all
he does is smile and nod. Not exactly sure how I should process this. They never kept it a
secret that I was adopted, well they told me
when I was 16 which was probably the best
time, I was a bit of a handful. I look to my mom for her to continue. She says that tomorrow I can call this attorney in Louisiana for more
information and hands me the contact info.
Knowing this may hurt my mother a little, I let
her know I love her and thank her for the gift.
I continue to tell her I will reach out
tomorrow. Looking at my watch and just
wanting to forget about what she just told me.
I create the panic urge of restlessness so my
parents know its time for me to go.
“not yet” her mother says. She continues to tell me the present was sent along with the
attorney information. So it was my real
mothers. She hands me her present, I open it and its beautiful. It's a fox pendant. I have
always loved foxes. I smile like a kid on
Christmas morning and hug my mom and dad.
Tell them I love them but I really hate to cut it
short, I have to go.
In the car I put the necklace on that was left to me, text Toni to let her know I am on my way
- Writer
