by Debbie Civil
Chapter 3
Grandmother lives in a mammoth, over luxurious mansion. The Victorian house is painted an off white. A gate spans the entire property. The windows are all stained glass. A rose garden hugs the side of the house. Dad has never described his childhood home to us as kids. I’m thinking part of him mourns the easy life he once had. This makes me hate the Grinch even more.
The Limo stops at the gate and the driver gets out, entering a code in the key pad. The gate opens and he quickly drives us through. The driveway has many twists and turns, making it seem as if we are riding for a mile before the limo even reaches the area where the porch stands. Grandmother doesn’t even offer a sentimental welcome, but slides out of the limo and heads into the house. Mom is crying big fat tears as she looks at me. I’m tempted to plead with her to take me home. Grandmother and I would be much happier this way. We don’t need to owe the old hag anything. But my mouth is closed. Arguing would be futile, especially after the scene that occurred at Adam’s house.
“Behave,” Mom chokes out. That surprises me. Is that really the only advice that she has to offer the daughter she's leaving behind?
“I’ll try,” is the only thing that comes out of my mouth. Promises are sacred. Never make one that you can never keep.
“I’m serious Chelsea. You have to behave.” Her tears have stopped flowing and a sternness enters her eyes.
“Mom, I’ll miss you,” I say as I wrap an arm around her shoulders.
“I’ll miss you too. You can visit and stay on weekends. Just remember that,” she says before the driver opens the door. Yeah right, how can I visit if she moves so far away?
“Miss Philips, it’s time to go inside,” the grumpy middle aged man says. His tone doesn’t sit well. Mom pinches me in an effort to stop me from saying something rude. “Ouch!” I whine, exaggerating a bit. Mom laughs and kisses my cheek. We say our goodbyes and I follow the black haired man up the granite steps into the house.
“Your belongings will be brought to your room,” the man informs me as he leads me into a capacious living room. Over stuffed couches, recliners, and end tables are placed around the marble floored room. One of the walls is a floor to ceiling window that looks out on the gardens. I’m overwhelmed by the grandness of it all.
“Have a seat. Amy will bring you something to eat,” he instructs before leaving me. I sigh and sit in the recliner. The minute that my butt hits the seat, I know I’m going to sit here for as long as possible.
“Who are you?” a voice hisses, startling me. I look at the girl in the doorway and I’m immediately unimpressed. She’s just so plain looking. The only striking feature about her is her silky, poker straight, long black hair.
“Who are you?” I fire back. She’s just like Ivy and Teresa. There is no way she will get under my skin. I’m ready for whatever she throws at me.
“I’m Tia Philips. You?”
“Chelsea Philips.” Her posture relaxes and the girl actually shoots me a smile.
“I thought you were one of the maids slacking off. I asked them to bring me tea, and they forgot. Can you believe that? I actually had to go downstairs and nag the chef into making me some,” Tia whines as she sits on the couch closest to me. So this is the famous Tia that grandmother always brags about.
“How horrible!” I exclaim sarcastically. The sarcasm is apparently lost on Tia. She continues to whine about the very bad day she has been having, which, by the way, includes the wrong kind of sandwich getting delivered to her room. It took fifteen whole minutes to clear up the matter.
“Tia,’ an unfamiliar male voice calls.
“In here Grandpa,” she responds. Grandpa? Dad told me his father died. So maybe the old man coming in was Tia’s grandfather.
“Chelsea, how are you?” he asks as if he has known me for years. I stare at him.
“Good, you?” He gestures for Tia to move over and when she does, he sits.
“Grandpa, you won’t believe the day I’ve had,” Tia says as Grandmother Betty walks in. She sits beside Tia and glowers at the old man.
“Vince, have you introduced yourself yet?” Grandmother asks sternly.
“Chelsea, I’m your uncle Vince. But Tia calls me Grandpa,” he says. I nod, understanding as the Grinch gives me a stern look.
“Dinner is casual. We all usually eat our meals separately. Tell the chef what you want, and he’ll make it for you. Over the next two days, I’ll be busy. Tia will entertain you. School starts on September 5. Julie will be your tutor. You will work in your own classroom, which has a computer set up for you. There are rules here. You have to dedicate yourself to your studies. You will go to church with me on Sundays. And you can’t see Adam. He’s no good for you, Chelsea,” Grandmother nags. Adam. The memory of the feel of his warm lips makes me elated. He cheated on me, I know that. But something about him is so dangerous and forbidding. I definitely want to see him again, and I will. I just have to figure out how. The interested look on Tia’s face makes me think I may have an ally.
“What if I want to go somewhere?” I ask remembering that I promised Peter to go to the charity event.
“Like where?” Grandmother Betty asks suspiciously.
“Like a charity event. I promised Peter I’d go to this event for a girl who has cancer,” I explain. The woman actually looks surprised before quickly recovering. Her shock that I would go to a charity event is offensive. Then again, maybe the prospect of anyone donating to a cause is scandalous to my Grandmother.
“If you would ever need to leave, Otis will drive you. He’s my driver,” Grandmother informs me.
“I need a new job,” is the next thing I remember. I can’t work in Elmview anymore, since the commute would be impossible. I don’t have a car. Everyone in the room stares at me as if something’s growing out of my head. Crap!
My heart quickens and perspiration drips down the back of my neck. I want to be strong, but I’m not. Part of me is still the girl who hates herself and fears of doing something wrong. Anger and frustration courses through me at the thought that the opinion of a bunch of rich people would affect me like this.
“You will get an allowance. All I want you to do is focus on school and applying to colleges.”
“I’m going into the military after high school,” I blurt out.
“No, you will not!” The protest comes from Uncle Vince. He looks horrified.
“Why not? The military offers a lot of great opportunities. And besides, I will be making a difference,” I argue. Seriously, it isn’t any of his business what I pursue. The old man has been in my life for all of two seconds.
“Applying to colleges will be your back up plan,” the Grinch announces. That means I will actually have to take the SATS. How charming? Or maybe not. I don’t know much about the test. Hopefully it’s too late to register.
“Anything else?” I ask, with a nasty attitude. The rearranging of my whole life is beginning to get annoying. And besides, sitting is starting to hurt. A hot bath and some sleep will soothe away some of the aches and pains.
“Nothing else. Vincent dear, I need to talk to you in the library,” Grandmother says, and the two old people clear out. Tia glares at Uncle Vincent’s back. Apparently, she doesn’t like being ignored.
“Amy, come in here,” Tia orders. A middle-aged heavy set woman with cobweb thin blond hair rushes in.
“What do you want Tia?” Amy asks. My cousin doesn’t miss a beat.
“A lobster, steamed, with potatoes and don't forget the hot dipping garlic and butter sauce,” she whines.
“You?”
“A burger, French fries, and a chocolate cake, if you can manage it please.”
Amy smile widens. “Marcus will be happy to meet you sweetheart. Has Otis sent you to your room yet?” she inquires.
“No,” I admit. The woman gestures for me to follow her out of the room. The path to my room is fairly simple. Just out of the living room, down a hallway with high ceilings and various
portraits on the wall and an elevator ride to the third floor. It’s as if Grandmother figures I am directionally challenged. The room is the one across from the elevator. Amy smiles expectantly as I see my home away from home for the first time. The room is huge with a king sized four poster bed with multicolored drapes. There is a stone fire place, oak furniture, a private bathroom, and a balcony. The window is open, probably to get rid of the musty smell. This room has most likely not been aired out in years.
“Your stuff has already been unpacked,” she tells me. That is weird on so many levels, but I leave it alone. Amy slams the door shut and stares at me with hard eyes.
“I need you to understand something, Chelsea. Mrs. Philips is well respected by the staff here.” Amy glares at me when I don’t contain my shock quick enough. Grandmother Betty is nothing but a grump. How could anyone like her?” “She’s given you a chance to be something,” Amy continues. Her words are like a slap to the face. How dare she?
“A chance? You think….” I pause, unable to contain my anger at the whole thing. “So you think that she rescued me? Is that it?” To her credit, the maid doesn’t back down.
“You’re so naive. You have no idea what happened. Until you learn the truth, I suggest that you don’t cast stones,” Amy warns before storming out of my room. I sit on the bed and sigh. I’ve only been here an hour and my head aches. I pull the cell phone from my pocket and see a text from Peter. He sends me the information and the date and time. Next Saturday, I’m going to be back in my home town.
“Who’s the text from?” The Grinch demands, from the doorway. She startles me so much that I drop my phone on the floor. Thank goodness, the screen isn’t cracked. She glares at me.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” I snap. Grandmother shakes her head.
“Don’t use that kind of tone with me Chelsea. Or I will be forced to discipline you,” she threatens. I look up at her and see her tired face and decide that it is much too late to start an argument.
“Sorry. You scared me,” I say with genuine remorse. Grandmother Betty smiles.
“Tomorrow is the beginning of granddaughter week at the country club. Be ready by noon. Bring a swim suit,” she orders then leaves, just like that. I thought that she would be busy for the next two days. Whatever!
Thirty minutes after the Grinch left my room, Amy brings my dinner along with a form to fill out. I’m luxuriating in the claw foot bathtub when the woman just barges in. Although the shower curtains are closed, it feels like she can still see me.
“I’ll pick up your dishes and the form in an hour,” she says then I’m left alone. That definitely shortens my long soak. The food is divine. The burger is juicy and the fries are a golden brown. As I’m devouring the chocolate cake, my cell rings. Without looking at the caller ID I answer.
“Chelsea?” Adam’s voice is hesitant.
“I’m so glad to hear from you,” I tell him. He’s the one person who keeps me strong. Even when he strayed, my heart always knew that it belonged to him. I know this now, when my world is upside down.
“I miss you already,” he admits.
“I’m going to be in town next Saturday.”
“Really, for what?”
“For a charity event I promised a friend that I would go to. Promise me we will meet somewhere and talk.” The memory of his lips on mine fires my blood. And I know deep down inside that we won’t “talk” about a damn thing.
“Of course. Text me and we’ll figure something out!” he sounds really excited. The day is looking up.
“Sure thing. I can’t wait,” I say but he isn’t listening. Someone’s shouting in the back ground.
“Mike, I’ll be right there,” he yells. “Chelsea, I’ve got to go.” The line goes dead along with my good mood. I plug in my iPhone to charge and drink the last of the water. After dinner, I find the toothbrush in its travel case in a drawer in the bathroom. I brush my teeth, then climb into bed. It’s funny that the face I see before I travel into dream land is Peter’s.
