The Price of Coffee

Chapter 1: Saying Goodbye

“Rise and shine, honey. You’re father and I would like to talk with you downstairs.” Anabelle says as she barges into Tabitha’s room.

Tabitha sits up swiftly instantly regrets it as the room begins to spin, and her head pounds.

“Jesus mom haven’t you heard of knocking? I was sleeping you know.”

“Too bad, Annabelle answers with a smirk, get up, shower and meet us downstairs in an hour. You smell like a bar. If you are not downstairs in that amount of time, I will simply have to come up here and get you.”

“Fine, I’ll get up. I have no desire to have you drag me around the house by hair or my ear. I’ll be downstairs in an hour.” Tabitha said.

Tabitha slowly sat up this time. It was days like this she regretted painting her room the four different colors. She had a plan at the time. But now, the red, blue, and green blended together and made her nausea worse. She kicked off her custom made covers, and dragged herself to her private bathroom. She loved her bathroom. A present from her father she turned 13. It was tiled flour to celinging with a black and white checkered design, and pictures of penguins hung on the walls. She had penguin shaped tooth brush holders, soap dispensers, and even her shower curtain had penguins on it. Needless to say, she loved penguins.

As she showered, some of the nausea and headache eased but she figured it wouldn’t completely subside until she got some of the cook’s hangover relief when she went downstairs. She didn’t know what was in it. The cook wouldn’t share her secret, but it worked, that is all that mattered.

She looked at herself in the mirror, her blonde hair looked more dirty blonde now that it was wet. She had bags under her eyes and her green eyes looked blood shot. She decided to dress in her comfy pants and a black t-shirt. If her mother wanted her to be presentable she should have specified attire. She wondered what could be so important that she needed to speak to both her parents at the same time. The only time they saw each other at the same time was the required weekly dinners and even that seemed more like a work meeting than a family dinner.

She looked at her watch, 45 minutes had passed already. She better get downstairs. She did not want to be at the receiving end of her mother’s wrath. It has only happened a few times in her life. But it was enough to scare her into obedience, most of the time.

She walked down the stairs and entered the family meeting room. She sat down on the cream colored sofa that blended perfectly with the log cabin themed room. Tabitha knew where her flair for the eccentric came from because every room in the house had a different theme. Even the tea room had a coffee house theme. The foyer was the only room that looked like a normal house, with it’s marble floors and white walls.

“We have something to tell you, Tabitha.” Annabelle was saying pulling her out of her thoughts. You will be spending a year with your Aunt Clarissa in Papua New Guinea.”

Tabitha looked at her mother in shock. Her jaw dropped and when it finally registered what her mother said, her face twisted in rage.

“I am not going!” Tabitha screamed.

“Yes, you are young lady. You will go on this trip or I will cut you off. No more shopping, no more parties, no college! I kick you out of this house so fast your head will spin!

Tabitha looked at her father for help. Her father seemed to be looking at something really interesting at the far side of the room. “Coward”, Tabitha thought.

Tabitha tried to put on her best pouty face, “Dad? Can’t you talk to mom. This really doesn’t seem fair. Aren’t you afraid I’ll get kidnapped. I mean I hear about this stuff all the time about girls getting kidnapped in these third-world countries and sold off as s*x slaves.”

Johnathan finally looked at Tabitha opened his mouth and closed it again, then looked at his wife’s face. “Tabitha honey, I’m with your mother on this one. As mush as I love you, I think it will be good for you to go another country. You take so much for granted. You need to stop and look around you and see other people.”

Tabitha started crying and sat down on the couch. She looked hurt and defeated.

“You’re just trying to get rid of me. You’re always trying to pawn me off on someone else. I grew up with nanny’s and not my real mother.” Tabitha wailed.

Johnathan sat down beside her and held her. Annabelle could tell Johnathan was on the verge of caving in and allowing Tabitha to stay.

She looked at Tabitha and smiled. “Oh get over yourself, I know full well when your faking. You really could get an academy award for your acting.”

Tabitha seething at her mother. “Fine! I will go, but only for 1 year, then I get to pick the college of my choice. None of this alma mater crap.”

“I will get the final decision of your top 3 colleges.” Anabelle said

“Deal. “Tabitha agrees since her top 3 were chosen because they were the top party colleges in the country. They also have other positives her parents would approve of but she planned on spending her freshman year seeing how many times she could get drunk. Her father offers her his handkerchief. Tabitha always loved the way her dad always carried an old school handkerchief. She dried her eyes and looked resigned.

“When do I leave?” Tabitha asked.

Next month, you will have time to pack and say goodbye to your friends.

I’m soo sad your leaving?” Jennifer asked. Who will I party with after your gone.”

“I'm sure you’ll find some other unsuspecting victim to buy your drinks.” Tabitha responded as she down another shot. She looked at her long time friend and remembered how they met in high school. It was junior year and Tabitha got kicked out of another private school. Her parents finally had no choice but to send her to the local school. To be honest, Tabitha felt more at home at the public than she ever did at all those private schools. She hated the snot nosed brats that felt the world owed them something just because they were born rich.

She remembered the first day she saw Jennifer, she was short with shoulder length red hair and a little on the heavier side. She came bounding down the hallway full of life and stopped when she seen me.

“well well, looks we like we have a new face in the junior hall. Where are you from? You have wealth written all over you.”

“What are you talking about”, I scoffed looking down at myself, “there is nothing wrong with the way I look.”

“Jennifer busts out laughing, “You should see your face, no sweetie it’s an observation. You have perfectly cut and styled hair, manicured nails, and designer clothes, your clothes cost more than what most of us see in a month.”

I was getting angry, how this little red headed t**t come up on my life and my face and act like I’ve done something wrong being rich. I was born into it, doesn’t mean I have any control over it. I look back and she’s laughing again.

“You should see your face. Your all red faced and mad because I called you rich. I really don’t care that you have money. I simply made an observation. What you do with it is up to you.” Why don’t you ahng out with me today. I’m assuming this is your first day in hell. I’ll show you around, help you find your classes and introduce you to all the right people.”

Tabitha tuned back in on Jennifer to hear her say, You know I’ll miss you. It’ll so boring without you here.”

Just imagine what it will be like for me. I’m leaving almost everyone I know to go live with an aunt that I’ve only seen in person, three times over the past ten years. This is so going to stuck.” Especially if it’s anything like the last month has been. I had to get new clothes, get a global debit card which turned out to be a really annoying experience, and get the COVID-19 vaccine. I made sure to make mom suffer through that one. I hate shots. Apparently, you have to have the vaccine for almost every country now. The vaccine comes complete with a card, I am supposed to carry that said I am safe to be around other people. And to make matters worse, I still had to quarantine, so mom had to make sure to book both Aunt Clarissa and I near the same place so she can bring me food. I won’t even be able to sneak out and go get booze. Tabitha ranted.

Awe bless your heart, need a distraction, let’s go find some fun, for your last night in America.” Jennifer said.

The next morning, Tabatha’s mother woke her up early with what she felt like was sadistic glee. Tabatha looked at her mother, “I hate you, you know that right.”

Anabelle smiled, “No you don’t, now get up and come have breakfast with me and your father before you have to get on the plane.”

“Do I really have to go? Tabitha asked.

“No, you don’t have to go, but it means living without credit cards, shopping cards, no drinking money…

Tabitha interrupted, “Okay, I get it. You’ll cut me off of all the precious family money. Now will you please get out so I can get dressed?

“Yes, dear breakfast will be ready in 10 minutes.”

The rest of the morning seemed to rush by in a blur. They ate breakfast in mostly silence as Tabitha made it clear her displeasure about this whole scheme. As they dropped her off at the airport, it was really hard for Anabelle to let go. She almost caved and allowed Tabitha to stay as she hugged her goodbye. But then Johnathan grabbed her hand, giving her strength to see this through. She knew this would be good for her daughter, even if she couldn’t see it yet.

“Remember to text and call me at every stop when you land and when you take off again. I love you sweetie.” Anabelle cried.

Tabitha rolled her eyes and said, “I will mom, I love you. I have to go now or I won’thave enough time to get through customs.”

“I know I know, just one more hug please.” Anabelle said.

They all hugged one more time and watch their daughter leave through security. She looked at her husband.

“We made the right decision, didn’t we, sending her halfway around the world, just to get her to sober up.” Anabelle said.

“You know we made the right decision. She needed a change, she is miserable even though she can’t see it. She is a strong girl. She takes after her father after all.” Jonathan flexed his muscles smiling,

Anabelle laughed, “I love your muscles.”

“Lets go home, cancel all our appointments for the day and watch movies while we follow her flights online like a stalker.” Johnathan said.

“I love it when you sweet talk me.”