Saturday, March 26th
We have to pack.
Pack, pack, pack. Packing, packing, packing.
It isn't like we're moving or anything, but there's still so much to do before we can go to the horseback-riding stable. We're staying at a nearby lodge overnight, but I didn't know we would need so many clothes for two days and one night.
"Does this match, Mom?"
"Claro que no!" Mom cries indignantly. "¡Tu no puedes vestir de verde todo el tiempo, a dondequiera que vayas!"
"But I like green!"
"¿Qué tal esta camiseta AZUL con estas jeans?"
"Yeah, that's not that bad, I guess."
My mom is, honestly, a fashionista. She can't stand the sight of someone, especially her children, wearing the same outfit twice in a row, or shoes that don't match with their earrings, or miscellaneous things that no matter how hard I try, I just don't find relevant to my life.
"Mom, don't you think seven outfits and three pajama sets are enough for two days and one night of vacation?"
"¿Pero, cariño, qué pasa si usted caes del caballo y fastidiarla con tus hermosos pantalones vaqueros blancos? ¡Ah, sí, los pantalones vaqueros blancos! Me olvidaba empacar esos!"
"I'm not going to wear white jeans on a horse! Mom, I won't even need them. Isn't it a better idea to wear those ugly ones with holes in the knees?"
"Mamá!" Maria calls from the next room. "Mi maleta está llena!"
"Share a suitcase with Stephanie," Mom answers.
Maria barges into my room. "How come her suitcase is like twice as big as mine?"
"I could not find a bigger one for you, Maria. I am sorry."
"You can have my suitcase, Maria." I'm glad I have an excuse to pack less clothing.
Mom suddenly rushes out, the way she's done so many times, to retrieve an item of clothing she has forgotten to suggest for me.
I get myself ready for an onslaught of apparel.
"Mom, why do we need sunglasses?"
"There might be a lot of sun."
"It's late March, there isn't going to be enough sun to wear sunglasses. We'll look like fools." I pause. "Fools. April Fools' Day. Ha ha ha."
Maria rolls her eyes.
"We don't need sunglasses," Dad calls from another room. He has extremely sharp hearing. He is also very lucky. He doesn't need Mom to figure out his fashion life.
"Okay, but dear—"
"No hats either. They'll get lost easily."
"They might—"
"It's okay, honey."
Mom sighs, deeming the conversation concluded.
Maria turns to her bed, where neat piles of clothing are stacked, and then back at the luggage. "Now, how are we going to fit that in the suitcase?"
"We don't need all this stuff!" I can't help but exclaim.
"Don't complain, or I might change my mind!" Dad calls tauntingly.
I don't say anything more. Soon we hear a knock on the bedroom door.
"Can I come in?" It's Dad.
"Yeah."
He walks in, wearing a light beige dress shirt and tan corduroy pants.
"How do I look?" he asks, and we all stand in a row, a family ritual we have when someone inquires about an outfit: Maria, then me, then Mom.
Scene 1: Clothing Conflict
Maria: It isn't bad. The pants are funny.
Me: Okay. Why not?
Mom: WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU WEARING?!
Dad: What's wrong with it?
Mom: Cotton fabric and corduroy don't match!
Dad: Cotton fabric? *What the—*
Mom: Beige and tan? What are you thinking?
Maria and I: *Exchange glances, roll eyes in synchrony*
After many minutes of irrelevant deliberation, we have finally reached our verdict!
Dad: You know what? I'll just forget this one.
Maria and I: Hallelujah! The heart-wrenching wait is over!
End of scene.
YOU ARE READING
Restart - An Original Novella
Short StoryWhat happens when the universe loses gravity? Stephanie doesn't have a care in the world. Her parents love her to the edges of the earth, her younger sister illuminates any darkness with her luminous personality, and her best friend is loyal through...
