count on me | sbm

2.1

; 1953
Michigan

"We're moving."

All four of the Lachance's were sitting around the dining room table eating dinner. It was a Wednesday night.

"What?" 6 year-old Gordie exclaimed. He had a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

The father ignored Gordie, as usual.

"Where?" Dennis asked calmly.

"Castle Rock." The father announced.

"Oregon?!" Little Gordie yelled, slamming his fists onto the table.

"Yes, Oregon." The mother said quietly, almost whispering. Gordie's eyes were almost bulging out of his head. The was an outrage, this wasn't fair. He stood up on the table, stomping his feet and protesting,

"I'm not moving! I'm not moving to Oregon!"

The mother and father both screamed at him to get down off the table.

"I'm not moving to Oregon!" Gordie chanted. The china plates rattled on the table.

"C'mon Gordie, time to get off the table." Denny said, standing up and lifting Gordie down.

"Don't you ever behave like that again!" The mother scolded. Young Gordie pouted, crossing his arms.

"I don't want to go!" He repeated.

"Your mother and I have made a decision and that's it! You have no say in this, we're moving!" The dad boomed, sending Gordie, Dennis and the mother into shock.

Gordie went pale. He was used to being yelled at, sure. But the fact that his dad had paid attention to him at all had stunned him. He slipped down into his chair, snatching a carrot off his plate and gnawing into it. Denny reached over and rubbed his leg to comfort him.

The family sat in silence. No one dared speak in fear of being yelled at. Eventually, the father got up and left, the mother following him and leaving just Denny and Gordie alone.

"I don't want to go." Gordie whispered, looking at Denny. Unintentional tears began to form in his eyes.

"Neither do I." Denny said, lifting Gordie off of his chair and hugging him.

"But it's going to be okay." He added, rubbing the back of Gordie's head.