Arrived (Book One)

Chapter 4: Getting Ready

I woke up around five o'clock a.m. and stumbled upon my parents' bedroom to wake my father up.

Moaning, Dad squirmed out of his side of the bed while my mother threw the covers over her head. He wiped his tired eyes then flickered them at mine.

"Did you brush your teeth?" Dad asked. "Not yet," I yawned. I stretched my arms like a cat then walked back to my room to start the day. Applying the toothpaste to the brush, I stared at my reflection as my left hand shifted the foamy bristles all over my teeth.

After spitting it out, I took a swig of water then let out a relieved sigh. Immediately, my feet started to get frozen from stepping on the cold grey bathroom tiles.

I quickly dried my hands then raced out of my bathroom. I later took off my pajamas and threw on some capri shorts and my blue shirt.

Tying up my leather black boots, I grabbed my IPhone then glanced at the time. It was five thirty-five, but I didn't panic over it because I knew we still have time before we made it to the plane.

I dropped the phone into my handbag and pulled the zipper around its ragged silver trail. Just then, Dad's rustic cologne overwhelmed my nostrils. I instantly knew that he was standing near the doorway.

"Hey Cleo," Dad greeted awkwardly. "Do you need some help with anything?" I gave him a smile then shook my head. "No thank you," I answered. "Is your bags already in the living room?"

Dad grunted then gave me a nod. After rubbing vanilla scented lotion all over my legs, face, and arms, I handed the half-full bottle to Dad then rose my handbag through my shoulder.

Dad noticed something sitting on my desk drawer then picked it up. It was an old photo of my parents smiling at their wedding.

When I was six, I used to be afraid of the monsters hidden under my bed. But instead of sleeping in my parents' room, I took the picture frame of their wedding and crawled back into my room.

I remembered that as long as I stared at it, my fear will go away. And, it did. "Your mother couldn't believe that you kept this," Dad explained. "The first time it disappeared, your mother grew frantic."

"She thought the picture was broken or something. But eventually, she calmed down, when she saw a sleeping six year old little girl pressing the frame against her chest."

"Rather than yelling at you, your mother decided to let it be." "You knew that I took it, didn't you?" I asked. Dad's smile grew even wider. "I listened to your tiny footsteps, and I heard some scraping on the desk drawer."

I brushed away my bangs away from my eyes then told him that I am going to make some breakfast. Thankfully, Dad helped me carried my luggage down the stairs and set it next to his.

I immediately got out the pancake flour, blueberries, tools, and other ingredients in order to get started. I mixed the cracked eggs in a hurry while turning the fire on low heat before scooping a chunk of butter onto the pan.

Mom stumbled down the stairs half-sleepy wearing a blue bathrobe that was covering her pajamas. "Morning Mom," I called with a huge smile. "I'm making breakfast." I poured the light yellow mixture onto the pan and stirred it until the substance turned into large chunks.

I put the scrambled eggs on the three plates then put the dirty egg bowl into the sink. As soon as I began whisking the pancake batter, Mom kissed my cheek gently then marveled at what I am doing.

"How do you know how to cook?" she asked. "I haven't even taught you." "Photographic memory," I answered with a shrug. I could gave sworn my mother had rolled her eyes. "You remind me so much like your father," she sighed.

Dad took careful strides towards Mom and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Morning Honey," he snickered, kissing her mouth repeatedly. "I already knew that you were going to do that, Ben." Mom retorted.

He ignored her comment then kissed her on the forehead. I scooped another chunk of butter out of its package then dumped it on the pan. I watched as the butter began dissolving very quickly then rubbed the grease with a spatula.

Later, I poured the batter onto the frying pan and decorated the mounds with berries. Mom gave my shoulder a tight squeeze. "As soon as you're finished with the pancakes," she explained. "I'll do the bacon."

I nodded very slowly then focused my eyes on the mounds. As soon as the other sides was toasted perfectly, I flipped the pancakes to its backsides then waited some more. Dad went back upstairs in order to get something, leaving me and Mom standing in the middle of the kitchen.

"Don't you want to come with us?" I asked. Mom smoothed my hair and shook her head. "How come?" I persisted. I had always loved my mother and paid more attention to her when I was little. To me, she seemed like my mentor and my inspiration.

Mom blushes whenever she catches me reading her old cases and ask her a couple of questions. She even didn't look surprised when I decided to be like her when I grow up.

Now that I am thinking about it, I was starting to wonder if my guidance counselor and Uncle Seth was right about me not spending time with Dad.

"I want you to be a little bit more closer to your father," Mom answered. "It's sweet that you want to be like me in the future, but your father is here, as well." I turned off the fire then plopped the toasted pancakes on the plates. Mom looked at me with sympathetic eyes then sighed.

"Look, I understand that your father is a hard chapter to read," Mom continued. "But you need to notice him as much as you notice me, okay?" Mom leaned over then pressed her lips on my head.

"After breakfast," she insisted. "I want you to be on that plane on time." I nodded very eagerly. "I want you and your father to have the best time of your life," she added. "Whenever you have the chance, please call me."

I gave her a huge smile. "Yes Mom," I beamed. After breakfast, Dad cleaned the dishes and set them in the dishwasher. I tossed away my dirty napkins and gathered my luggage.

I watched my father hugging my mother tightly then dragged his suitcase out of the door. "Have fun," Mom called. "Bye, Mom." I called back. I opened the door as we stepped out of the house. Dad took the time to close the door behind us then saw Uncle Seth's car sitting in the driveway.