My four-year-old is in between the “play with me” stage and the “playing alone” stage. The older three are in school, which provides a break for me, but since my four year old adores her older sisters, it makes it hard. She’s constantly whining for them to come home.
It’s hard enough juggling the four younger ones, but throw in a hormonal teenager and chaos ensues. Dealing with her has made me positive that my mother cursed me for acting out as a teenager. Not a week goes by that I don’t find myself in tears over something she does or says. Like the time recently when I told her I was pregnant again, she made nasty comments accusing me of ruining her life. Or the time I had to punish her for kicking her sister, and she informed us that she could run away and be adopted by her friend’s parents.
I’m sure you find yourself wanting to ask how I get a minute to myself. Or how do I deal with no time alone? Or what if I get an idea during the day?
Remember that stash of chocolate in the closet? I simply get some, slip into the bathroom, and take a few minutes. Sometimes I just think. Sometimes I jot down a few ideas on that hidden notepad.
As crazy and chaotic my life is, I wouldn’t change a thing. And it sure gives me plenty of things to write about.
So, when life hands you lemons…toss them out, grab your stash of chocolate, your writing materials, and head for the bathroom. You may just end up writing a book.
About the Chick
Talia Jager spends most of her time writing in the bathroom with a steady supply of chocolate, counting the days until her hormonal teenage daughter leaves for college… Until then, she lives in Texas with her husband and five daughters. Her published works include: Damaged: Natalie’s Story, Teagan’s Story: Her Battle With Epilepsy, If I Die Young, The Ultimate Sacrifice (Book One in the Gifted Teens Series), and Secret Bloodline. She hopes to have her next two books: Lost and Found and Roots and Wings (Book Two in the Gifted Teens Series) released by the end of 2011.
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Damaged: Natalie’s Story
Talia Jager
An Excerpt
Chapter 1
I was seventeen and a senior in high school when I met him. He was the new kid in school. His light brown hair was just long enough to hide his big brown eyes. I first noticed him in the office getting his schedule. I watched him from afar that day, admiring his style. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, and a flannel tied around his waist.
I caught him stealing glances at me throughout English class, which I was delighted to know we shared. Our eyes locked and his mouth curved up in a half smile. I bit my lip trying to hide my own smile.
I felt heavy-hearted when the day was over. I yearned to go up to him and say hi, but I was too shy. I would have to be satisfied by looking forward to the next day when I would see him again.
I was walking down the hall when he ran into me, literally, knocking me to the ground. “Oh! I’m so sorry,” he apologized, outstretching his hand to help me up. I put my hand into his, which was warm and strong. Tingles shot through my body.
“Thank you.” I blushed, feeling flustered as I was inches from his body. Our eyes were locked again and I noticed what a beautiful shade of brown they were.
He looked away first. “I really am sorry.” He bent down and picked up my books.
“It’s okay.”
Handing me my books, he gazed at me for a minute. The bell brought us back to the present. “I’ve got to go.”
I watched as he hurried down the dimly lit hallway. He was much more striking close up. I stood frozen until he disappeared around the corner. Finally, I was able to shake the spell he seemed to have over me and went on my way. From that perfect moment on, whenever he saw me in the halls, he would smile and I would smile back. “Do you like him?”
I spun around coming face to face with my best friend. “Yeah, Sophie, I do.”
Sophie’s beautiful tri-colored hair hung half way down her back. The red shirt that hung snugly on her body brought out her natural red highlights. Her eyes were hazel and they danced when she laughed. We had known each other for years and she was a terrific friend. We always had fun together and more importantly; we were always there for each other.
I was drawn to this boy more and more each day. I wanted desperately to be his girlfriend, but I wasn’t sure he was interested in letting it go that far.
As I was rushing to English class, I ran into him outside the classroom. We both laughed. “I guess we’re late, huh?”
He grinned. “Yeah. We can’t keep running into each other like this.”
“I know.”
“Do you…ah…”
The door opened and our teacher, Mrs. Leon stood there. “Would the two of you care to join us?”
I blushed and scooted to my seat. A few of the kids snickered. I glared at Mrs. Leon, temporarily hating her for interrupting. I was positive he was about to ask me out. Fuming about it for the rest of the period, I didn’t hear a word she said.
When the bell rang, I purposely took my time getting my things together, hoping he’d want to finish our conversation. He hopped over a chair and strode up to me. “As I was saying, would you like to go out this weekend?”
I smiled feeling the blood rush to my face. “On a date?”
He laughed. “Yeah, on a date.”
“Sure.”
“Good. I’m Josh. Joshua Kory.” He stuck out his right hand.
Taking his hand in mind, I responded, “I’m Natalie Jarrett.”
“How about I pick you up at seven on Friday night?”
“Sounds good,” I answered as I quickly jotted down my address. As I handed it to him, I deliberately let my fingers graze his hand.
Sophie called me later that night. “Where do you want to go tomorrow night?”
“Actually, I can’t tomorrow,” I told her.
“You can’t?”
“Nope.”
“Well, why not?” she asked.
“I’ve got a date.”
“You’ve got a date?”
“Yeah.” I smiled, thinking of him.
“With the new kid?”
“Uh-huh, his name is Josh.”
“But, we always go out on Fridays,” she pouted.
I was glad she couldn’t see me rolling my eyes. “So, we’ll go out on Saturday.” She agreed and we hung up.
I had a hard time getting to sleep that night. I couldn’t stop thinking about Josh. How he looked at me. How his eyes glistened when he smiled. I couldn’t believe someone so good looking had asked me out. Out of all the girls at school, he had chosen me. I imagined us at our prom, how gorgeous we’d look together, and how all the kids would talk. That image was the last thing going through my mind as I finally drifted off to sleep.
When I got home from school the next day, I grabbed a snack and hurried upstairs. I took a shower and after turning on my iPod, stood in front of my closet for what seemed like ages. I finally decided on short black shorts and a red sleeveless top. I put on deodorant and a dab of perfume. I opened my make-up drawer and chose a couple things. I put black eye liner and mascara around my blue eyes.
Then I took the towel off my head and brushed my hair out. I took after my mother with my natural red hair. She had the same hair color, but she wore her hair shorter. I had a small birthmark about an inch from the corner of my left eye. I rubbed some gel in my hands and ran it through my hair. I scrunched it up a bit and then sprayed it with hair spray.
The door opened and my sister walked in. “Nat, do you know where the… Oh, don’t you look nice. Where are you going?” She stood next to me as I looked in the full-length mirror. At 5’6”, she was an inch taller, but I was just a little skinnier.
“Out. You never knock!” I smiled.
She smirked and shrugged. “Out with Sophie?” I shook my head. “Do you have a date?” she asked teasingly. I nodded trying not to let her know how elated I was. “Do Mom a
nd Dad know you’re going on a date?”
“Of course. I told them yesterday.” I played with my hair. “Miranda, can I borrow your angel earrings?”
“Sure, as long as you give them back,” she answered. I rolled my eyes and nodded. She left and came back with the earrings. “So, who is it? Do I know him?”
“No, he’s new. His name is Josh and he’s really hot.” I smiled.
“I’m home!” I heard my mother yell. “Miranda? Natalie?”
I opened my door. “Be right down, Mom!” Miranda waved as she headed out.
I did some finishing touches, turned off the music and went downstairs. “Well, you look lovely, Natalie.”
“Thanks.” I sat down, not sure lovely was what I was going for, but it would be weird for my mom to tell me I looked sexy. “How was your day?”
“Good. Busy,” she said, unloading groceries with Miranda’s help.
Dad walked in about ten minutes later. “Hey girls.” He walked over to my mom and gave her a kiss. Her blue eyes still sparkled when she was near him. He was a few inches taller than her with dark blond hair and hazel eyes. Miranda and I had both gotten Mom’s hair, but our eyes were different. Mine were blue eyes like our mother; hers were hazel like our father.
I always wondered where my birthmark came from. I was the only one in the family who had one. Mom used to tell me I was extra special because God had kissed me. I still wondered if I was “marked” for some reason.
“How was class today, Miranda?” Dad asked her. She was in her second year at the local community college.
She shrugged. “It was okay. How was your day?”
Dad owned an auto mechanic shop and my mother worked as a nurse in a pediatric doctor’s office. “Fine, thank you.”
The back door opened and my Uncle Carl walked in. “Hey everybody!”
“Hi, Uncle Carl.” I smiled. “Just get out of work?” He was still dressed in scrubs.
“Yeah, I spent the day helping out in the OR,” he said. Uncle Carl was a hotshot doctor. He was a surgeon and did a lot of the executive type stuff. I liked hearing about his cases, but didn’t care too much to hear the boring stuff.
My grandfather had been a surgeon as well; it seemed to run in the family. I toyed with the idea of going into the health care field, but I wasn’t sure yet.
“Natalie, you look beautiful.” Dad kissed me on the cheek.
“Don’t get me dirty!” I took a step back.
“A date, huh?”
“Why is everybody making such a big deal over a date?” I asked, getting a little frustrated. I knew I hadn’t had one in a few months, but it’s not like I had never gone out.
My family laughed. “We just like picking on you.” I rolled my eyes.
Finally, seven o’clock came and the doorbell rang. Miranda got to the door before I could. “Is Natalie here?” I heard him ask.
“Natalie, your date is here!”
I hurried to the door. Josh stood there looking dashing as always. He only wore jeans and a t-shirt, but it looked perfect on his muscular body. I bit my lip as I met his eyes and smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Well, Natalie, is this your date?” My dad asked coming into the room.
“Dad, please!” I jumped in between Josh and my dad.
“I’d like to see who my little girl is dating.”
“I’m seventeen!” I blushed.
“It’s okay Natalie, I don’t mind.” Josh smiled. “Hello Sir, I’m Josh Kory.”
Dad shook his hand. “It&rsquos nice to meet you, Josh. I’m Ben Jarrett and this is my wife, Allison.” Josh politely greeted them and shook both their hands. “So, where are you taking our daughter tonight?” Dad asked.
“We’re going to dinner and a movie.” he smiled, looking amused with the whole situation.
“You’ll have her back by midnight.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes Sir.”
“Very well then, we’ll see you later.”
I said good night to my family and we got to leave. Josh opened the car door for me. When he got in, I apologized, “I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. They’re normal parents.” He chuckled.
He took me to Friday’s for dinner. We talked a lot, getting to know one another. “Where did you move from?” I asked, wanting to push his bangs to the side so I could see his eyes better.
“South Carolina.”
“Wow, why did you move all the way to New York?”
“My parents wanted a change.”
“Do you have siblings?” I asked curiously.
“Yes, a brother, Jarrod. He’s two years older. What about you?”
“Just my sister, she’s a couple years older as well.”
“Is she the one who answered the door?” I nodded, taking a drink. He studied me for a moment. I blushed again. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Your beauty makes me speechless sometimes.” I think at that particular moment I blushed more than any girl ever had. “What do you want to do after you graduate?” he asked, changing the subject.
I hesitated for a moment. “I’m not sure yet, but I think I’d like to be a nurse. Do you have any plans?”
“I’d like to be in law enforcement,” he answered proudly. I nodded approvingly — my mind wandering to a picture of the future — me in scrubs and him in a police uniform.
We soon finished dinner and went to see a movie, which ended up being one of those movies that was just okay. I was more interested in being with him, then paying attention to the storyline. Our fingers kept touching when we would reach for the popcorn and we’d steal a quick peek at each other. Once it was gone, he took my hand into his. I smiled even though I didn’t look at him. I felt ecstatic. I sat back, relaxed and watched the rest of the movie.
After the movie ended, he drove me home. We pulled up in front of my picture perfect house. It was nice cozy home with four bedrooms. I loved both the front and the back porch. The front porch and the hallway lights were the only ones on. “I had a good time.”
“Me too.” I smiled. “Thank you.”
“Would you like to go to the dance next weekend?” he asked.
“Yeah, I would like that.”
He leaned over closer to me, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, he smelled so good. I felt his warm breath on my lips and then they touched my lips ever so gently. It was the perfect first kiss. He broke away first. “See you Monday.”
“Mhmmm.” I couldn’t say anything. I got out of the car and walked briskly into the house. It was dark and quiet. Carefully, I went upstairs and poked my head in my parents’ room. “I’m home.”
My Mom mumbled, “Okay.”
I went to my room, which was in the front of the house and peered out the window, he was looking up at me from his car. I put my hand up and waved, he waved back and took off. I stayed awake for a while thinking about Josh. He was so good looking and charming. I turned on the radio and listened to some music before finally drifting off to sleep.
The following night I went out with Sophie. We went to our favorite dance club, the one we had gone to almost every Friday night for the last year. The crowd was different since it was a Saturday, but we still had a good time.
We just danced by ourselves and with each other. We were there for a good time, not to meet anybody. Sophie danced with a guy a couple times while I stayed at the table and daydreamed about Josh. We got home pretty late. I realized that Josh had called my cell phone, I must not have heard it with the loud music, and I figured it was too late to call him back.
The next morning, I flipped through the channels on TV. I could never find anything interesting on Sundays. It was either religious programs or sports. Sometimes we went to church, sometimes we had a big dinner, or sometimes we did absolutely nothing.
This particular Sunday, I did my homework and cleaned my room. I had a full size bed with a striped comforter; the stripes were all different shades of blue. The curtai
ns and lamp matched the bedding. My walls were decorated with a peace pinboard and peace wall decals. As I was rearranging the pictures I had on my pinboard, Sophie called and we talked for a while.
Monday morning I practically flew to school in the blue Toyota Corolla that I shared with my sister. I couldn’t wait to see Josh. He was waiting by my locker. “Hi.” He smiled.
“Hi.” I blushed, my mind flashing back to the last moment I had been with him.
“Did you have a good weekend?” he asked, tilting his head. I nodded and opened my locker. “What did you do Saturday night? I tried to call.”
“Sophie and I went dancing, I didn’t hear the phone.”
“Oh, did you meet some new guys?” he asked, sounding upset.
“No.” I laughed. “It was just me and Sophie. We usually go Friday nights, but since I had a date with you, we went Saturday instead.”
“So, you didn’t dance with any other guys?” He glared at me.
“No, I didn’t.” I smiled, brushing off his tone.
“I don’t like the thought of you with anybody else,” he said sternly.
“Honestly, Josh, it was just a girl thing.” He looked at me for a minute, then took my hand and walked me to class.
I thought about our conversation all day. He had gotten so worked up about the possibility I may have met a guy. It bothered me that he didn’t take my word for it. At lunchtime, I sat down with Sophie and we talked. I rambled on and on about how much I liked Josh, but I still couldn’t get that uneasy feeling out of my head.
*
Throughout the week, whenever I would see Josh, my heart would start racing and I’d get flustered. I’d think of the kiss he gave me that night and how I wanted to feel his soft lips on mine again. He was so sweet. He would text me during the day telling me how beautiful I looked or telling me he couldn’t wait to see me later. He made every day seem special.
Friday came quickly. Sophie came over for dinner. Being my best friend for so long had given her dinner privileges; she was invited over to any meal, any time. Tonight, Mom served meatloaf and potatoes. “So, Sophie, what do you think of Natalie’s new love interest?” My father asked.
Indie Chicks: 25 Women 25 Personal Stories Page 69
