The Fantasies of Rose

Packing

I internally struggle with if asking mom is the right move but ultimately I know if I ask her in front of dad she will just agree with him.

" Um... Liz and I were talking about me possibly going to move in with her. How would you feel about that?"

" Well I would say good for you for making a decision and I expected it. Especially after Liz shouted your conversation to half of the mall for all to hear earlier."

Liz turns a deep red and then looks down at her tacos as though they are the most interesting thing in the world.

" I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean for you to find out through Liz like that. What do you mean by make a decision?"

" I knew you were going to move out eventually and I also knew you wouldn't give up Greenwell."

" Wait? What! Why would you say that?! I wasnt even sure of my decision until and hour ago"

" Because you are my daughter. Once upon a time I had the same temper you do and anything someone told me not to do I would just to show out. That includes marrying your father."

" I...I love you mom. Thank you for not freaking out on me but what do you mean by marrying dad to show out?"

" It's a story for another time Rose. If we are going to get plenty of tape and moving boxes we better eat and get moving."

" I am holding you to that story one day mom."

She just smiles as always and goes back to her soup. I look over at Liz and she mouths " I'm sorry." to me but I just shrug. She can't take it back now and it's better not to pick a fight with my soon to be roommate either.

***Dinnertime***

We get back to the house after unloading all the bags at my soon to be home and head back with mom. We leave the boxes in the car for later as I don't want to to anything to stir dad's anger again. Mom checks the pot pie she pre-made and had dad put in the oven and I go to change back into my comfy clothes again. I hear dad on the phone in his office and know I have enough time to change and start to sort my room into what I want to take and what will stay before dinner is done.

By the time mom yells that dinner is ready I have sorted about half of my room. I meet dad in the hallway and we both head to the kitchen to eat.

once we set dad starts in with the questions.

" Did you get anything today or just waste the day window shopping?"

" I got 6 sets of work clothes and 2 pairs of work shoes"

" Why didn't I get an alert on my card then?"

" I used my debit card."

" I sent my card with your mom to use not yours"

" It's fine. I have plenty of savings and I didn't wanna use your card in case I saw something non-work related that I wanted."

" Next time use my card. I could have written it off as a work expense."

" Oh okay. I'm sorry dad."

I noticed none of his words were directed at mom which ment it was a trap. I knew if I used it as I had in the past he would say either I owed him or I would have to work it off.

Since he seems to be looking for a reason to get mad I decided to wait till tomorrow to tell him about moving.

After dinner mom invited me to watch a movie and eat popcorn with them but I really wanted to get my room done by tomorrow. Hopefully I could pack and move while he was at golf Sunday. I debated trying to sneak some boxes in tonight but didn't want to risk dad catching me. He seems to always be one step behind me the past few days so sorting was priority for now.

Once I sort my clothes, hygienic products, school supplies, shoes, and other items I deemed essential I crawl into bed knowing tomorrow I will have to move fast to get everything done, loaded up, and taken to the apartment before dad gets home.

I curl up into my bed for the last time knowing tomorrow is going to be a long and emotional day.

***Sunday Morning***

I wake up to my alarm I set to 8:30 am knowing dad leaves around 10 to golf. This way I can get up ,eat breakfast, and do any last minute sorting of items I missed the night before. Once he leaves its time to pack and get out. I know it seems sneaky but knowing dad if I told him I was moving he would probably ban me from the house, take my car, and refuse to let me pack a thing saying I betrayed him by moving out and choosing Greenwell.

Like clockwork Dad grabs his clubs, golf balls and, gloves and heads out at 9:30. I even wait an extra thirty minutes to make sure he didn't forget anything and come back. I head to the carport door but when I open it I come face to face with mom. She had all the packing supplies.

"I was going to get it mom"

"You're too slow and if dad saw me with them I could say I was organizing the attic and getting stuff ready to donate."

"Smart. I can grab some of that though."

No. I got it now let's get this done before he gets home."

I hold the door open for her then take off to my room to open it for her as well.

" Everything is already sorted. I just need to pack and label."

"Good. I'll get the boxes opened up and taped. You load and label."

After about two hours we had boxes packed and both of our cars loaded up. We knew dad would be back around 2 so we had to get to the apartment, unload, and make it back to the house before then. We both hop into each of our cars and mom begins to back out but she is cut-off by dad's truck.

"Oh no. Why is he home early!?!"