"Guess what movie I got!" my mom says, waking me up to reality.
"Uhm, I don`t know... What movie"
"Straight Talk," she says excitedly.
"Oh cool. Can`t wait to watch it," I say, my words surprisingly even.
"Oh.. There`s a little change in plans, instead of cooking I thought maybe we can pick up some Chinese?"
"Sure, sounds good. Xin Xin?"
"Yeah, where else?" she laughs, I join in her laughter for a moment.
..........................................
We drive the rest of the way in silence. It isn`t until we pull into the garage that I decide to break the quietness.
"Do you..." my voice trails off, I start again, "Do you think he`ll be back?" I ask, unsure that I even asked out loud. She seems to be considering her choices of how to answer.
"I hope not," is all she says. Hoping isn`t enough, I need her to be certain that he won`t come back, although I`m not too sure either. Why would he come back? And for that matter, when? My thoughts stir about in my head, creating a new recipe of fear... Will he kill her? Me?
"Lets get settled inside, your grandma will be here in a few hours." I nod, and head inside to wash up.
.......................................
The doorbell rings.
"I`ll get it." my mother says. "Sage, go get your bags, they`re on your bed." I go to fetch my bags, and as I walk into my room, a piece of paper falls from the door. I pick it up. My jaw drops, and I break into a cold sweat. 'You are going to pay-Dad' Pay? Pay for what? I`m nervous and my hands are trembling as I realize what he might want me to pay for... I sent him to jail, had I not ran to my neighbor`s house and told them to help me, he wouldn`t`ve gone to jail.
"Sage, what`s taking so long? Come on."
"MOM!" I yell. She runs down to my room.
"What?! What happened?" she asks, her eyes wide. My throat is dry, I can`t speak, I just hand her the paper, shakily.
"It`s probably just a scare tactic, Sage. He probably took the spare key and put that there." She says.