Chance Encounters

Chaos in the home life

I pulled into my driveway. It wasn’t extremely late therefore everyone in the house was up and awake still. The house lights shone through the windows. I shook my head,still wearing my work uniform I got out of my truck and turned the door handle. Before I even set a foot in my house my mother yelled. “SKYE I SWEAR ON THE GOOD LORD YOU BETTER NOT BE STEPPING FOOT IN MY HOUSE WITH THOSE NASTY BOOTS!!” I rolled my eyes, and bent down to untie them. Pushing them off on the porch I went in and sat down at the kitchen table. It wasn’t long before I was berated by questions from my aunts. “Where do you work?” My aunt Ann asked. I shrugged and pointed at my shirt. It used to be John Deere green,but the grease and oil turned it into a pine green. “How did you get a job as a mechanic?” My mother asked. I shot a glare that could kill, “I seen a shop,I walked in,talked to the guy and now I work there.” I wanted to just melt in the floor,my mother and aunts were obnoxiously questioning me about my life. “Oh you have some mail,not like you are ever home to open any of it.” My aunt threw a pile of envelopes in front of me. “However we see that you skipped today want to explain why?” My mother continued asking and I got up and walked to my room. “I don’t have to answer to any of you as to the things I do.” I said. If it wasn’t one thing living with them it was another.

I went to my room picking up a t-shirt and a pair of flannel pants. I went into the bathroom and started a shower. The hot water felt amazing after a day in the woods and a day working, I could see all the oil and grease fall off my skin at the bottom of the tub. I wish people were as easy as an engine is to fix. People complicate issues where as an engine won’t complain if you put a wrong part on it,and when you do find the problem it will probably run better than it did before. I grabbed my bar of Irish Spring,it reminded me of being up north and living back on the rez. I sighed as I heard someone open up the bathroom door, “Hey get your ass out of the shower,you need to come and listen to the radio.” Panic struck,that’s never a good sign. Quickly and efficiently I threw on my night clothes and went into the living room where my mom sat nervously in front of the radio. The narrator began speaking about the jungle, how stifling hot it is and that any breeze is nonexistent because of the dense trees and plants. Then he explained the army LRRP’s and how the long range reconnaissance patrol goes around to the little villages that are “hot” or swarming with Vietcong. A twelve man platoon. Sergeant Jackson talked for the majority of the men saying how most of them didn’t want to be there especially him because he is the medic. “Being a medic is what I was doing back home,but here in the jungle being a medic turns into a walking target,I never know when my head will be on a stake next.” All the men had a turn to voice their opinion on the war and then came something I would have never expected. “This private was just recently promoted. He is from the marine corps and works with the Army LRRPs. Specialist Wolfe is a map maker and draftsman,new to combat.” Then my father’s voice boomed over the speaker. “At first I was weary,much like a medic I’m a walking target. I gave up that mindset and now I go in like I own this jungle. I map out locations and help make predictions on where Charlie will be hiding, could be hiding in a bush right next to us. I think the war is unnecessary,but I’ll do anything to serve my country.” The narrator cut in, “Specialist Wolfe is much like 79% of men who were drafted for the war effort. This is Walter Cronkite, thank you for letting me into your homes this evening. God bless you.” The radio went silent, and then it went back to its normal broadcast. “You think that was your father?” My aunt teased. I glared,without a doubt in my mind that was my father. My mom also shot her a look and for once I was grateful that she had my back in this situation. I made my way back to my bedroom and shut the door,last thing I wanted was them in my business.

It wasn’t long before something woke me. It was a rock,the universal sign for someone outside wanting something. Getting up I opened my window, much to my surprise it was Mark. “Hey can you manage to get out of the house?” He hissed in a low voice. I thought about it,and realized that my mom and aunts were still up playing cards. “Yeah probably,let me throw some clothes on.” Mark nodded and ducked down in the bush that was in front of my window. At least he had some sense. I grabbed whatever I could find first, a flannel and jeans. “Good enough.” I mumbled. Throwing on my boots,I tied them extremely tight. Not having socks on wasn’t my favorite thing in the whole universe,but I didn’t have time to put any on. Opening the window I made a jump and landed next to Mark. “I think we should take a drive,my car is parked down the street.” He looked about as rough as me. Sporting a Detroit lions jersey two sizes too big, and a pair of shorts. He had on some converse that looked like they weren’t his. His sandy hair was unkept and hung in his face. He looked at me as we walked, bright blue eyes fixated on me. Reaching out for my hand I took it. His hand was strong and sturdy as it fit well into my hand. “What’s up with you tonight Mark?” I asked breaking the deafening silence. He was hesitant to answer me,but after a few more minutes he finally answered. “I have had a rough night,so I figured some company was in order.” I didn’t mind, I do it all the time to him so it’s to be expected that he would do it to me.

We got into his car. The bucket seat felt great compared to my shitty mattress I usually slept on. “What about Larry?” I asked. Mark shook his head, “No,I don’t feel like hearing his opinion on things.” He has a point,as much as Larry was an amazing buddy to have,he could also be very set in his ways. He started the 442 and drove off. Once we got out of our neighborhood he breathed a sigh of relief. “You want to tell me what’s going on?” I asked. I wasn’t mad,just slightly curious as to what was happening. “Well, my mother thinks you are a slut and only hanging around guys because of it.” I sighed,of course I knew it was coming,I cursed at myself underneath my breath. It would have been easier to have no friends. Mark gripped the steering wheel harder causing the leather to squeak underneath his palm. “Well this is the part I royally f****d up,I told her you are my girlfriend and to leave my life alone.” My face turned a solid shade of red. I wanted to be Mark’s,but I was worried that I would ruin our friendship and that it would over step any and all boundaries, “If you don’t wan…” Mark cut me off. “It isn’t like that,I wouldn’t mind if we went steady,none whatsoever,the problem lies in how I told her instead of asking you first.” I shrugged, “Hey,I ain’t worried as long as it still has the same outcome then it’s all good.” He smiled, “So do you mind if we are exclusive?” I shook my head with a big grin on my face. “No problem at all babe.” Mark smiled and kissed the back of my hand. “I suppose this will make an interesting conversation with my mother and aunts,they always ask about you anyway.” He smiled, “Hell let’s make both of our families uncomfortable. I think people can be friends with anyone regardless if it’s a guy or girl.” I smiled, “So is this a real relationship or is it going to be just a cover up?” I asked,needing to know before I got my hopes up. He looked at me with a concerned look on his face, “No,this is a real relationship, i don’t want anyone else.” He pulled me into his chest. Eventually I laid across his lap, he turned the heat just ever so gently to keep the chill off of us. It was official,he was all mine,but I wanted to know why he picked me of all people.

We stopped at a little restaurant that was 24 hours. The time on the wall read 11:23 which was late for a weekday. “Are you hungry?” He asked. I shrugged, “ I could go for some food,but I left my cash at home.” He shook his head, “it’s on me get what you want.” The waitress handed us a menu and walked away, of course she had to check him our first. The menu options were decent I guess, I settled for the fish and chips and Mark opted for the same thing. “So I heard your father on the radio tonight, interesting interview.” I nodded, “it’s good to know that he’s still alive, hearing his voice is better than letters.” Mark nodded, “So when are you going to tell your family about going to UNOH next year?” I gritted my teeth together, “I wasn’t,I was just going to go.” He put his hand out for me to hold,”You can’t just do that you should give them some notice,” I shook my head gripping his hand tightly, “I doubt they would care or they would make a huge deal about it as a female isn’t supposed to be wrenching. I guess since tomorrow is Saturday I’ll sit down with them and talk about it.” We are the rest of our meal in silence that you could cut through with a knife. Getting back into his car we drove home,making sure to stop in the street and avoid my driveway; Mark gave me a kiss and made sure I got back into my window.

It was morning before I knew it, waking up late as usual I sat down at the kitchen table, my aunts and mother were cooking breakfast for themselves. “Wow you getting ready for work on a Saturday?” Ann asked in a snarky way. Resisting every urge to mock her I cleared my throat and threw my paperwork on the table. “Here,this is what I plan on doing after highschool.” My mom immediately stopped and glanced at it. “Ain’t no daughter of mine goin to a damn mechanic school.” A slight sigh escaped me,yet I remained calm and explained how the school is invite only. My mom slammed the cast iron skillet on the stove. “Yes,well I don’t approve.” I shook my head, “Good thing I’ll be eighteen,don’t have a say in what I do and don’t, do then.” My mother got in my face, “Yes I do as a parent I do!” I got up from sitting, “No you don’t!” She glared, “SKYE AUTUMN WOLFE! I’ve had just about enough of your defiance! You are going to quit your job and quit thinking that you can wrench with the boys! Otherwise you can get out of my house, this little hobby of yours is turning into a big problem!” Calmly I got up and headed for my room. Most of my stuff was still packed in boxes, and what wasn’t packed I threw into my duffel bag. Carrying the two boxes and my duffel bag I went to reach for the door handle,but my aunts blocked me. “Where the hell do you think you are going?” My aunt barb asked. Remaining as calm as possible I managed to get the words, “Away from here.”out of my mouth. My mom screamed from the kitchen, “Let the b***h go,if she wants to choose a hobby over family then let her find out the hard way.” I managed to get out the door, now the only thing that was on my mind was telling Mark where I’d be and getting to work.