Not What You Expected

Chapter One

Chapter one: The beginning.

I sigh as I watch the tiny droplets of water hit the car window and then slide down, making it all blurry and wet.

"I know you are not used to this type of weather, Riley Jane, but you'll just have to get used to it."

Get used to it...

Those four words are automatic from my mother's mouth. She has said them so many times since my father took off six years ago. She says them every time we move, or she gets a new boyfriend.

"I'll try."

And those are the two words I always reply with, I mean what else am I supposed to say? It's not like she'd listen to me anyway.

She huffs from the driver's seat as she turns the car onto a dirt road, if it wasn't raining dirt would be flying up everywhere.

"Riley Jane your father has been generous enough to let you live with him! So, you better do better than just try!"

I bite my tongue from saying something I'll regret later and just solely focus on looking out the car window and at the tall green trees that line the sides of the road.

Three weeks ago, my so-called father contacted my mother and told her that he would like me to live with him for the summer. Of course, my mother happily agreed saying that he and I needed to reconnect before it was too late.

She didn't know it was already too late...

But the following week we were both on a plane from Los Angeles, California to Wild River, Washington state. Wild River, a very small town in the middle of the Washington forests, mostly known for it's hunting season and hiking trails. So basically, a little town where men live like animals...

And no one questions it...

"Plus, it gives Stephen and I a little alone time."

Stephen her newest boyfriend, Stephen is 'ok' I mean I have only met him twice and both times we barely even spoke a word to one another. But he seems like a nice guy.

The car hits a bump in the road bringing me out of my thoughts just as mom pulls onto a long dirt driveway. There are a lot of 'private property' signs, and I can't help but send a prayer, that my dad hasn't turned into some weird hunter dude.

After a few minutes I can finally make out the figure of a small wooden cabin in a clearing. Mom parks the car and turns off the engine.

I take a glance out the window, trees are everywhere, the grass is at ankle height, the cabin is completely made out of wood, the screen door is halfway off it's hinges and there is a single old looking rocking chair.

"I don't know how your father can even live like this..."

Mom trails off when a brown and black bloodhound comes running out of the woods and runs straight for the car.

She lets out a scream as I just stare at the big dog. Mom quickly locks the doors; I roll my eyes.

"Mom it's a dog, it can't open doors."

I mumble out as I grab my black leather backpack and put my light blue hoodie on that has the logo 'Pink' on it.

I unlock my door and start to climb out.

"Bear get you're a-- back in the house!"

In old blue basketball shorts, a dirty white t-shirt, and holding a beer bottle, an old man comes bursting out of the cabin. His long, blonde, greasy hair flowing in the wind. A beer belly overflowing from underneath the shirt and a scraggly beard covers most of his lower face.