Alison Jade Jorgensen had it all - wealth, beauty, and the adoration of those around her. At eighteen, she was the epitome of privilege, shielded from the harsh realities of life by her affluent family.
But when her beloved grandfather passes away j...
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With a heavy heart, I agreed to go to my grandparents' house on the same day. It was an impulsive decision, but I couldn't bear the thought of letting go of the only thing left of my grandparents. Besides, in just two years, the house would be named after me, and it was my responsibility to keep it in good shape.
As I got ready to clean the house, I didn't waste too much time picking out my clothes. I knew I would get dirty anyway, so I grabbed a random white shirt and my old black jeans. I tied a red bandana around my head out of habit, something I always did when I wore a white shirt. But as I looked at myself in the mirror, a strange feeling washed over me.
It was my hair.
With my short hair ending just above my shoulders, it looked strange to tie a bandana around my head. It didn't look as pretty as it used to when I had long hair. Should I take it off? But Glenda was already knocking on my door, signaling that it was time to go. It was too late to make a decision, so I left it on.
*****
Standing before the double panel doors, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest. Leaving the house was something I never thought I would do again. My mom stood by my side, her comforting smile urging me to take the next step. But could I do it? Could I face the outside world after being cooped up for so long?
Finally, I gathered my courage and pushed open the doors. The warm wind whipped my hair back, reminding me that I was truly outside. Stepping onto the stone path, I was greeted by the brick stone fountain at the center of the curving pavement. The sound of the water was soothing, but it only served as a reminder of what I was leaving behind.
While my mother went to retrieve the cars, I couldn't help but stare at the fountain. The water seemed to flow endlessly, always circling back to where it started. Was that what my life would be like now? Always coming back to where I started?
In the car, my mother and Glenda discussed what we would need to clean up my grandparents' old house. I didn't want to feel useless, so I insisted on joining them at the hardware store.
As we walked in, the smell of fresh wood and tools filled my nostrils. It was a strange sensation, being out and exploring once again. But as we walked further into the store, the realization hit me that my grandparents were no longer with us. It was just me, my mother, and Glenda. No Gramps to guide me or comfort me in this strange new world.
As I stood there, my heart racing and my head spinning, I couldn't help but feel like I had made a terrible mistake. What was I doing here? Outside of the safety of my home, where I could control everything and make sure that nothing could hurt me.
But now, everything felt dangerous and out of control. The air felt thick and oppressive, making it hard to breathe. The world around me seemed to spin out of control, leaving me feeling lost and helpless.
