We Haven't Come Very Far {Zakros House Residents}
Apr 2, 2011 0:54:52 GMT -5
Post by Morgana on Apr 2, 2011 0:54:52 GMT -5
Malachai Zakros
When I put an ad in the paper for rooms to rent, I never imagined I'd get so many interested people. All were still teenagers, but I'd hoped for and expected that. One of the reasons I'd decided to train Careers was because it meant I could get close to teenagers. It's not easy being that age, and having someone you can talk to certainly helps. I like being the person that people can trust, an I like giving out advice. It's what I'm good at.
The Malachai house has been in my family for as long as anyone can remember. It's a two-story white house, what some people would call charming. It's always been referred to as a mansion, but it's really nothing of the sort. Just a house that tends to the larger side. Large enough to feel empty with just me and my daughter Hannah living here. So I put and ad in the paper to rent out the three extra bedrooms in the house. I got five replies, all within a week. So I went out and bought two more beds, cleaned up the rooms, and contacted the interested people. Today, Saturday, they move in.
I sit on the couch in the living room, waiting. Hannah, nine years old, sits beside me, wearing one of her nicer dresses. I told her she didn't have to dress up, but she did anyways. She only decided to after she noticed I was wearing one of my nice shirts, though. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. Who wouldn't be? Five teenage girls are moving into my house. Yes, they're all girls. I don't know why no boys responded to my ad, but I guess that doesn't matter. It'll be better for Hannah, I suppose, if it's just girls. She's had to grow up without a woman to look up to and learn things from, so I suppose this will be good for her. Unless they all end up being delinquents.
I shake my head, trying to stop those thoughts from coming. It's not fair to judge them before I've even met them. Sure, they're teenagers, and sure they're girls, but that doesn't mean it going to be like an enormous sleepover every night. I'm sure they're mature, or else why would they be moving out of home? I wince, realizing there could be a lot of reasons. Rebelling, wanting attention, escaping abuse, escaping annoying siblings, independance...
"Are you okay Daddy?" Hannah asks me, fidgeting in her seat. I realize she's talking about my back. For a few years now, my back has been bad, thanks to a freak accident and lumbar degenerative disc disease. There's medicine, of course, but that doesn't help the pain. Hannah's seen me wince from it before, so she has every reason to think that's why I'm wincing now.
"I'm fine, Banana," I reply, using my nickname for her. She giggles and smiles, making me realize it's been a while since I've called her that. Sighing, I lean back against the couch, trying to relax. Hannah scoots over and rests her head on my arm. I move my arm, lacing it around her shoulders. My fingers start stroking her silky black hair without me telling them to. It's just a natural thing. I take a deep breath and wait for the doorbell to ring, knowing what will happen.
I will answer the door, introduce myself and Hannah, ask whoever has come to take a seat and wait for the others to join us. Then, when everyone's here, I'll tell them the rules and show them what rooms they'll have. I already decided who would get what room, though it wasn't the smartest way to decide. I'm sure to get some complaints about it. I just threw their names into a hat and drew for each room. Since there's only two empty bedrooms and five of them, they'll have to share rooms. Only one girl will get her own room, and that will be the small one downstairs off the kitchen. The rest will be upstairs, where my bedroom an Hannah's bedroom are located.
I jump a little at the sudden sound of the doorbell. I allow myself one deep breath before I rise from my seat and head for the door. Whether I'm ready or not, these girls are coming.