The House that I Grew up In

Looking around the small informal airport, Annabelle wasn’t sure what she felt. She was accustomed to arriving in new airports, new places, new countries, new customs. It was a part of being her mother’s daughter – the child of woman who traveled the world, helping the disadvantaged with her medical expertise and advanced supplies and medicines. Normally, each airport brought with it a sense of exploration and excitement for Annabelle.

But this was different, because Annabelle clearly remembered her last time being in this airport, as it had been such an emotional experience for her. While it actually had only been four years ago, in some ways it felt like it had occurred a million years ago. She remembered being thirteen, her mother by her side waiting patiently and her best friend, Christy, holding her and crying.

Christy and Annabelle had known each other as far back as either could remember. They had always lived two houses apart on Charm Lane, best friends from three years old. They had spent ten years as close as any sisters. It had been so hard for Annabelle to leave Christy, but she knew deep down that her mother would only separate the two girls for a good reason.

And Annabelle had been right; she and her mother had moved to a small remote village in Mexico, where her mother had overseen the building of the first modern hospital the town had ever known. Within two years of their arrival, the birth rate for the village had doubled. After another two, it had nearly quadrupled. Proper hygiene and modern medicines – along with a respect for the culture of the area – had allowed for an incredible enhancement of the health of the townspeople.

Throughout the past four years, Annabelle’s mother – a well-respected physician – had also taken the time to go to other places to contribute her medical knowledge. Together in the last two years, she and Annabelle had been many places: visiting Uganda and doing immunizations, going to Bangladesh to offer refugees help, and traveling to Thailand, putting forth medical aid in the wake of the horrible tsunami in late 2004.

While at times the work was heartbreaking and sometimes even overwhelming, Annabelle always felt privileged to help her mother. While their changes were small, affecting a few thousand at a time at most, Annabelle knew her mother was slowly but surely changing the world for the better, and she felt privileged just to be some small part of everything.

So when Annabelle’s mother was asked by Doctors Without Borders to come to Zimbabwe that summer to a particularly volatile but needy town, Annabelle supported her mother’s decision to go. Even when she was told by her mother that things were too unstable and she could not accompany her as usual, Annabelle went along with her mother’s plans.

It seemed even better when Annabelle found out that she wouldn’t simply be remaining at her small home in Mexico alone, but returning back to Long Island to spend the summer with Christy, her old best friend. Annabelle’s mother had made the arrangements with their former neighbors, and was glad to see that her daughter was thrilled.

“Julia,” Annabelle had said at the tiny Mexican airport – as she had been raised to call her mother by her first name – “I am so proud of you. I wish I could go with you, but I understand. Just, please, come back safely.”

“You know I will, my Belle,” Annabelle’s mother held her close. Pulling back, she looked into her daughter’s eyes, which were filled with tears, as her own were. “But I want you to have fun this summer. You are going to college in a year, and I think it’s good you know a normal teenage life in America first.”

Smirking, Annabelle had shook her head. “Neither of us believe in ‘normal’,” she reminded her mother.

With a laugh, Annabelle’s mother agreed. “Well, then just have fun,” she altered her goodbye. “And I’ll see you in two months.”

The memories of that goodbye a week ago were still swimming around Annabelle’s brain when she heard her name being called out, releasing her from her memory.

“ANNABELLE!” a loud female voice called out. “Get your ass over here!”

Looking over, Annabelle saw Christy waiting for her at the end of the gates. Although she had changed much in the last four years, Annabelle still recognized Christy’s wide blue eyes.

Rushing to her old friend, Annabelle embraced her. For a moment, she felt like no time had passed at all. As soon as she released Christy, though, she couldn’t help but notice that wasn’t exactly true.

When Annabelle had left four years ago, Christy had been a tall, skinny, awkward looking girl. Instead, now, she was a beautiful young woman. With olive skin, bouncy blond curls, a shapely body and her eyes as wide and bright as ever, Christy was unquestionably attractive.

“You bitch!” Christy immediately accused, her eyebrows furrowing. Annabelle didn’t know how to respond, as she didn’t know what Christy was talking about.

Getting no response from her friend but confusion, Christy pushed on. “God, when we talked on the phone last week, you never said what a hottie you turned into. I’m going to have to hide you from my boyfriend!”

Looking down at herself, Annabelle wasn’t sure how to respond. In honesty, she never really thought about how she looked – it really made no difference in the town where she lived. She knew her skin was golden from days of working out in the sun; her long auburn hair was pulled into its normal messy bun; her long lean legs and tight body were in shape from hours of building and physical labor. Still, Annabelle had really never thought much about what that would all add up to in the end.

“Well?” Christy threw out her arms expectantly, twirling in a circle that caused her tiny black skirt to rise to a nearly indecent level on her thigh. “Aren’t you going to say how good I look?”

“Oh,” Annabelle was still surprised. “I mean, no question, you’re gorgeous.” However, Annabelle said it more as a statement than anything; she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say exactly. Still, she could only smile at her friend’s exuberance.

Annabelle’s confusion didn’t matter much to Christy though, who simply glowed at the compliment. “I know, right?” she replied, linking arms with Annabelle. “God, when you left, we were both these ugly ducklings. Now look at us… we’re so freaking HOT!”

As Christy continued talking, explaining how “rockin’” and “bitchin’” the summer was going to be, Annabelle followed in a silent daze. Only when they arrived at the baggage carrousel and Christy asked where her bags were did Annabelle come out of her bewilderment long enough to respond.

“Bags?” Annabelle repeated in confusion. “Oh, I don’t have any. This is it,” she motioned at her backpack.

Her mouth dropping open, Christy seemed at a loss for words for the first time since she had spotted Annabelle at the gate. Of course, that only lasted a minute. “You’re telling me,” Christy put her hands on her tiny hips and cocked her head. “That little bag has EVERTHING you plan to wear this summer?”

Glancing over her shoulder in confusion, Annabelle did a quick inventory of what she had in her bag – underwear and bras, socks, one pair of shoes (besides the flip-flops she was wearing), three pairs of shorts, a couple tee shirts, a couple tank tops, one pair of jeans, her toothbrush, a couple books… “Yeah, this is it,” she replied lamely.

Looking Annabelle up and down, a small smirk took over Christy’s beautiful face. “Oh, I get it,” she replied knowingly. “My mom told your mom how great my wardrobe is, and you figured you would wear my stuff. You bitch!” Before Annabelle could reply in defense, Christy giggled and hugged her. “Well, you’re lucky you’ve got such a great bod – not many people can wear my size. But you’ll totally fit!”

Without another word, Annabelle was whisked out the doors towards the parking lot. After Christy led her to the car – a brand new, bright red, obviously expensive BMW convertible – Christy continued chatting until they reached Annabelle’s old neighborhood. Pulling the tiny car into the driveway, Christy motioned around. “What do you think?” she asked, motioning to the neighboring houses. “Isn’t it a scream?”

Still in shock, Annabelle looked up and down the cul-de-sac she had grown up in. All the houses were much fancier than she remembered, with huge landscaped lawns, Jaguars and Mercedes and BMWs in the driveways, and additions on nearly all the houses. Stepping to the street, she smiled to herself momentarily. Her old house looked almost exactly as she remembered it.

“Yeah,” Christy continued, as if Annabelle had spoken. “After IBM moved into a few towns over three years ago, this neighborhood, like, tripled in value. And luckily, Daddy got a GREAT job. We’re, like, totally loaded. Not to brag.”

Just as Annabelle was turning around to reply, she saw Christy bounding up the front steps – there used to be a wooden front porch with a swing, but now the porch was gone in favor of a large exotic bushes and several frightening looking statues of animals about to attack.

“Come on, Bi-och!” Christy called from inside. “We’ve got so much to catch up on!”

Looking around once more, Annabelle couldn’t help but agree.

-----

“So these are ‘The Girls’, Sasha and Laura,” Christy pulled down several pictures that were stuck into the mirror on her bureau. “You’ll meet them soon. We do EVERYTHING together. Here’s us in Paris last spring break, and in Hawaii two Christmases ago, and here we are at the beach last month. God, we were totally trashed!” she said as she collapsed onto the fluffy pink-and-white bedspread in giggles.

Looking over the pictures carefully, Annabelle could only smile to herself. In each photo, three over-styled, stunningly gorgeous girls were mugging for the camera. “It’s great you have such close friends,” she said as she handed back the photos.

Rolling over onto her stomach and leaning up on her elbows, Christy rolled her eyes. “They’re fun,” she replied, her long legs perched up and dangling behind her. “No question about that. But Sasha is totally a bitch. and Laura’s a big ole slut.”

In shock and with her dark eyes wide, Annabelle wasn’t sure how to reply, but she didn’t have to. Christy quickly leapt from the bed to grab a framed photo from her nightstand. “Anyway, this is the most important person – my boyfriend, Josh. Isn’t he just PAINFULLY hot?”

Looking down at the picture, Annabelle grinned when she saw the ecstatic expression on Christy’s face in the photo. She and Josh were dressed up formally, in an evening gown and a tuxedo. Josh had a cocky grin plastered across his handsome face and a confident arm over Christy’s shoulder. Christy, in the meantime, looked as beautiful as any model on the cover of a magazine.

“You guys look really happy together,” Annabelle told her friend.

“Totally,” Christy agreed contentedly. “I mean, I’m easily the third or forth hottest girl in our class – IF you count Sally, who got a nose job last year and Delilah, who got a boob job over Christmas vacation. And Evian SWEARS she didn’t get a tummy-tuck last summer, but COME ON! Anyway, if you’re talking all natural, I may be the hottest. Plus, I’m co-captain of the cheerleading squad. And Josh is the captain of the basketball team. We were, like, MADE for each other!”

“I’m glad you’re with someone who makes you happy,” Annabelle said sincerely as she took a seat beside Christy on the bed.

“Sooo…” Christly looked expectantly at Annabelle. “So, you have any boyfriends? I mean, I know you’re stuck in that rat-hole poor town in Mexico,” she wrinkled her perfectly upturned nose in disgust. “But have you hooked up with any hot doctors or anything?”

Laughing, Annabelle thought of the three doctors who worked at the hospital in town – her mother, another middle-aged woman named Gretchen, and Steve, who had to be at least seventy. “No, no doctors. No boyfriends. It’s mostly just me and mom and the townspeople.”

Biting her lip, Christy seemed to be examining Annabelle closely. Reaching over, she grabbed the girl’s bun and released it, sending cascading auburn hair down her back in soft waves. “Well, that’s all going to change this summer,” Christy jumped up with a smile. “We’ll put you in my clothes and do your hair and makeup… God, the boys here won’t know what hit them!”

With a smirk, Annabelle shook her head. “I’m not here to date,” she told Christy. “Just to hang out and have fun.”

With her forehead wrinkled in confusion, Christy tilted her head. “What’s more fun than teasing hot boys all summer?”

Chuckling, Annabelle just shrugged her shoulders. Yes, Christy had changed a lot since she had last seen her. But Annabelle always believed that people should be allowed to be who they truly were without being judged. As long as Christy was happy, Annabelle was too.

-----

Over the next few days, Annabelle realized Christy wasn’t the only person who was different than she remembered. Christy’s parents, who had always been so warm and open in Annabelle’s memories, had grown distant and were obsessed with their jobs. Old neighbors – those that had remained, that is – were no longer the easy going middle-class families she remembered, either.

When Christy had introduced Annabelle to ‘The Girls’ – Sasha and Laura – the day after she arrived, Annabelle had gotten the distinct feeling they didn’t like her. Additionally, Annabelle had a hard time adjusting to them referring to Christy as ‘Christine’, which was apparently just one of the changes Christy had adopted in high school.

“We were such geeks in junior high,” Christy tried to explain to Annabelle after her first encounter with The Girls. “I just, like, blossomed after eighth grade, and I knew I was hot, so I wanted to separate myself from the loser I used to be. So I started calling myself Christine, dropped all our loser junior high friends, and went out for cheerleading. By homecoming, I was one of the most popular freshman girls!”

Since Christy seemed so proud of her changes, Annabelle did her best to not make any judgments – although she was inwardly disappointed that she wouldn’t be spending time with any of her other old friends.

“And don’t worry about how bitchy The Girls are,” Christy said, reaching through her closet and throwing a few shirts towards Annabelle that she thought her friend would look good in. “They don’t like you right now for three reasons. One, because I love you, so they’re jealous.” Annabelle smiled humbly at the compliment, but had no chance to respond, as Christy pushed on. “Two, you’re hot. They hate competition. And three…”

Christy paused slightly, making Annabelle a bit nervous, before she continued. “Three… you’re different. I mean, you have been all these places – nothing to do with fashion or fame or money. You’re different, and that scares them. But don’t worry; they serve at my feet. They’ll totally be all about you before the summer is over.”

Annabelle wasn’t so sure The Girls would EVER get her. But she was more concerned when she met Josh, Christy’s boyfriend. He was exactly the opposite of Sasha and Laura in his welcome of Annabelle. He seemed to be friendlier with her than Annabelle was comfortable with.

“Don’t mind him,” Christy told her in the kitchen the night that she had introduced her boyfriend to her oldest friend. as she and Annabelle baked cookies dough and ate ice cream exactly as they had at thirteen. “Josh is a TOTAL flirt, but he’s only got eyes for me. I know, how totally gay, right?”


-----

Annabelle was beginning to feel a bit despondent and lonely. She didn’t like herself for feeling that way, since she believed whole-heartedly that Christy was trying to make her feel welcome and trying to help her have fun. Only after speaking to her mother a few days after she arrived did Annabelle feel a bit better.

“I know things are different there,” Julia told her daughter kindly. “And I know it must be difficult. But you are such a spiritual person, my Belle. You always see the best in people and situations. I know you aren’t one to judge, but if you feel that you might help those around you rediscover their true selves, do it! What is it Gandhi said?”

Smiling to herself, Annabelle bit her lip and leaned back on the gargantuan bed in the guest room where she was staying. This was something her mother and she had shared for as long as she remembered. Although they weren’t religious, per se, they both believed that there were very spiritual people whose words held insights into the world.

Ghandi was their favorite, and often times when they were going through rough patches, one person would ask the other “What is it Gandhi said?” The person asking the question was never looking for one answer; they just wanted the other person to think of the many wise quotes of Gandhi and find one that fit their situation at that moment.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” Annabelle finally decided on, knowing that it was the mantra her mother lived by. “If I think those around me are unhappy, I should show them what makes me happy.”

“Exactly,” Annabelle’s mother proudly agreed. “But never let anyone’s negativity get to you, honey,” she added a bit nervously. “To be strong for others, you must be strong in yourself first. Always remember that.”

“I will,” Annabelle promised. “And you take care of yourself while you are the change, Julia. I know the world needs you, but so do I.”

Swallowing a pleased sob, Annabelle’s mother promised to take care of herself. After hanging up the phone, Annabelle sat quietly and thought about her conversation with her mother. “I know what will make me feel better,” she thought with a grin, rising from her bed and putting on her shoes.

-----

Christy was on a date with Josh that night, and as Annabelle was quickly growing accustomed to, Christy’s parents were both working late. With determination, Annabelle headed to the only place that had seemed familiar since she had arrived back in Long Island.

Standing in front of her old house, Annabelle could only smile to herself. Crossing her arms over her chest, she smiled at the small ranch that she and Julia had called home for more than a decade. Things seemed basically the same – the weeping willow in the front yard was larger; the exterior looked like it had a fresh coat of paint; there was a vegetable garden now growing in the far southern corner. Otherwise, things were exactly as Annabelle remembered.

Taking a deep breath, Annabelle hoped the people that lived there now wouldn’t mind if she came to the door and asked to look around. Smiling to herself, she knew if the situation were reversed, she would be ecstatic that someone else felt such admiration for her own home, so she quickly moved towards the door.

Ringing the bell, Annabelle waited for just a moment before the large wooden door swung open. Before her stood a boy not much older than her with short hair, a leather jacket that couldn’t possibly be comfortable in the eighty-degree weather, and a sneer.

“What?” the boy asked, no politeness to his voice, although his bright green eyes were looking Annabelle over with something close to interest.

“Oh,” Annabelle, who was normally completely together in any situation, hadn’t expected such an unfriendly greeting. “I’m sorry, I don’t know where to start, actually… See, I used to-”

Before she finished her thought, the boy interrupted Annabelle. “You’re staying at Christine’s house for the summer, right?” He gave her a contemptuous once-over.

“Yes,” Annabelle was lost in confusion, but tried to continue. “But I used to-”

“Whatever,” the rude boy cut her off. “Christine’s a bitch, so if you’re her friend, so are you. Whatever you were going to ask, the answer is no.”

Before Annabelle could respond, the door closed in her face. She stood there for a couple minutes, trying to contemplate why someone who had never met her before would be so unkind with no provocation, but she couldn’t figure it out. As she stood a moment longer, trying to wrap her head around the obvious disdain this stranger had just shown her, the door suddenly swung open again.

This time, a woman around Julia’s age stood there, looking surprised to see a teenaged girl with a perplexed expression on her face standing there – which would be expected.

“Oh!” the woman said suddenly, unsure how to react. “Are you here for Quinn, dear?”

“No, ma’am,” Annabelle immediately replied, relaxing at the woman’s quizzical but friendly demeanor. “I, um… I’m sorry to barge in like this unannounced, but I’m visiting for the summer, and I used to live here…” Annabelle paused, not sure what else to add.

But obviously, that wasn’t a necessity to the woman facing Annabelle. Her eyes filling with tears immediately, she put her hands on Annabelle’s shoulders. “My God,” she said with shock. “You’re Julia’s daughter.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, as this woman at least seemed open to meeting her, Annabelle nodded. “I am,” she replied. Looking at the woman in her scrubs, Annabelle quickly ascertained that she was a nurse. “And I’m sorry to bother you, as you’re heading out to work. I just was hoping to see the old house, but if you’re busy, I completely understand-”

Looking over Annabelle with a warm smile, the woman glanced at the watch on her wrist and grinned wider. “Darling, it’s no trouble,” she said with heart. “I’m not due at work for an hour. I can’t imagine another way I’d like to spend that time, than with Julia Murphy’s daughter.”

Although she was a bit confused by the immediate embracement this woman showed, Annabelle was nonetheless appreciative. “As long as I’m not a trouble,” she added a bit shyly.

With a huge grin, the woman pulled Annabelle in through the front door and into the quaint living room. “After all your mother did for me?” she asked the teenager incredulously. “Of course you’re welcome here – whenever you want.”

The woman – who introduced herself as Karen – went to get iced tea as Annabelle took a seat in the living room. Her brain was swirling still with confusion, but she felt a certain peace when she looked around the room she had spent so much of her childhood in.

“Here we are,” Karen placed two glasses on the coffee table. “My goodness, I’m sorry if I’m scaring you. It’s just… I heard so much about you from Julia back in the day… and I have to say you’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

With confusion, Annabelle accepted the tea and the compliment. “I’m sorry to say this,” Annabelle felt a bit embarrassed. “But I didn’t even realize you really knew my mother…”

Instead of the frown Annabelle feared, Karen just gave her a knowing nod. “Your mother was always very discreet,” she said with admiration. Seeing that Annabelle still had no idea what she was talking about, Karen put down her tea and looked the young girl in the eyes. “Your mother saved my life,” she said simply.

As empowering a statement as it was, Annabelle had heard this sentiment many times in her life – her mother was an amazing woman. But what Karen seemed to be saying was different.

Seeing the confusion and kindness in Annabelle’s expression, Karen pressed on. “Oh, obviously your mother never told you this,” she continued with respect. “But when I met Julia, I was in a bad way. My husband had left me with no money and a teenage boy to raise. I had depression issues which were only outweighed by my drug issues. But, even after I had given up hope in myself, I was lucky enough to meet your mother.”

With pride for her mother, Annabelle beamed but said nothing, encouraging Karen to continue. “I showed up one day at a clinic she was volunteering at, ready to do something drastic – bad drastic.” Frowning to herself, Karen looked a bit embarrassed, so Annabelle immediately reached over and took her hand. From the smile and glassy eyes Karen looked at Annabelle with next, she guessed it was the right move.

“Anyway, not making a long story longer,” Karen chuckled, causing Annabelle to smile warmly in response. “Your mother reminded me of all that I have to live for… of my obligations to my son… of the future I never thought possible for myself. And then she went a step further – she helped me make it happen.”

As Karen unfolded the story of her life and Julia’s impact, Annabelle smiled with pride but not surprise. Her mother was the best person she had ever known, and apparently Karen felt exactly the same way.

“I was heartbroken when your mother accepted that assignment in Mexico, even though deep down I was proud,” Karen told Annabelle, tears now running down her cheeks. “But your mother wasn’t ready to give up on me, even from 2,000 miles away.” Biting her lip, Karen was obviously caught up in a memory and grew silent for a minute before continuing.

Pausing, Karen looked directly into Annabelle’s eyes. “Your mother sold me the house for the price she paid when SHE bought it – almost $150,000 less than it was worth – all on the promise that I would stay clean, pursue a nursing career and be a good mom. And here I am – 100% there, thanks to your mom.”

In shock, Annabelle could not respond for a moment. She knew how generous her mother was, how kind and giving, but she had never known about this story. “My mother is wonderful,” Annabelle finally replied with a sincere smile. “But obviously so are you, if she believed in you so strongly.”

Crying hard now, Karen pulled Annabelle into a warm embrace. “You…” she tried to choke back her sobs finally and calm down. “You are just like her. I can SEE it!” she exclaimed with emotion.

Smirking a little, Annabelle tilted her head. “Your son didn’t seem to think so,” she said quickly relating her first meeting with Quinn.

Replying with a touch of embarrassment – but more amusement – Karen chuckled. “Ignore him,” she instructed Annabelle. “Quinn is difficult for difficulties sake. Don’t take him too seriously – he has the biggest heart I’ve seen since your mother.”

Grinning, Annabelle immediate took to the description. “Okay,” she replied without hesitation. “I’ll keep that in mind. But for now, I don’t want you to be late for your job.”

“I’m just so glad to meet you,” Karen told Annabelle with honesty, both rising so she could leave for work. “I knew Julia’s daughter would end up being something special; I’m just so glad to get the opportunity to see a glimpse of it.”

After a few more emotional minutes, and several promises on Annabelle’s part that she would come by often during the summer, both women left the house. As Annabelle waved at Karen as she drove off towards work, she turned to look once more at her old home.

“What’s your angle?” Quinn took Annabelle by surprise, coming from the side of the house and standing just a few feet from her, puffing on a cigarette.

“Angle?” Annabelle had no idea what the boy was talking about.

Throwing the cigarette down and stomping on it with a heavy black boot, Quinn looked coldly into Annabelle’s eyes, his distrust evident. “You’re Christine’s friend,” he replied with disgust. “She’s a bitch… you’re her friend… therefore, you’re probably a bitch. Is my logic flawed?”

Studying the angry boy for a moment, Annabelle slowly smiled to herself. “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessarily the case,” her voice teased. “After all, your mother is completely open, sweet and kind. And you’re her son. And you don’t seem to be any of those things. I guess things aren’t always as they seem.”

Before Quinn could respond with a retort, Annabelle turned on her heel, a grin across her face. Seeing her old house had been nice; hearing stories of how her mother had helped Karen made her feel proud; but mostly she felt enlivened.

Quinn was going to be a challenge. And Annabelle LOVED challenges.

-----

“Stay away from Quinn,” Christy immediately warned Annabelle later that night after she returned from her date with Josh, when her friend had relayed the basic moments of her evening. “He’s a criminal.”

“What do you mean?” Annabelle asked with true curiosity, joining Christy on her friend’s bed. “I mean, he’s obviously trying to be tough, but I think that’s just a reaction to a difficult upbringing. Maybe he just needs a friend.”

Letting out a loud sigh, Christy shook her head and took Annabelle’s hand. “Damn, you are SO GOOD,” she said, her voice half admiration and half condemnation. “Listen, talk to Quinn’s mom if you want – I’ve never dealt with her, but she seems nice enough. But stay away from Quinn. He went to Juvi a few years ago for holding up a liquor store or something – only reason he’s not in jail still is because he was under 18.”

Annabelle said nothing, knowing Christy well enough to know she was going to continue. “Anyway,” Chrisy went on as Annabelle expected. “DESPITE his criminal record – or maybe cause that’s kind of hot, too – me and The Girls all tried to be friendly when he started school with us - we tried to be nice. Mostly, because – come on – he’s, like, SO GORGEOUS. But he’s a bigger dick. So rude to us, particularly me. I think he hates me because my family has money and his mom doesn’t.”

Trying to take in all this information, Annabelle didn’t reply – although Quinn’s distant innitial response to her now made a bit more sense in light of what Christy was saying. Obviously, he didn’t like Christy, so he assumed that as Christy’s friend, Annabelle was probably like The Girls.

“I still think he needs a friend,” Annabelle countered.

“Do what you want,” Christy rolled her eyes in exasperation. “But just remember that under those dark, brooding, sexy looks lies a complete prick.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Annabelle smirked, leaving the room and heading towards her own bedroom. After changing into pajamas, she climbed into bed. Smiling, she felt a sudden thrill, like she had always felt before she ever went on a trip with her mother.

“I’ve been given someone to help,” Annabelle told herself with a pleased smile as she closed her eyes. “He might not want it, but Quinn is going to find out very quickly that he has at least one real friend in the world.”

------

I TOTALLY WRITE MORE WHEN I GET REVIEWS, FYI!!!

I FEEL LIKE THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF… LIKE MOST PEOPLE ON THIS SITE DON’T KNOW WHO I AM ANYMORE, AND THOSE THAT DO ARE GOING TO BELIEVE THAT I’M NOT GOING TO FINISH THIS STORY. PLEASE BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS:

I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS STORY – AND IF I KNOW YOU (I.E., YOU’VE REGULARLY READ AND REVIEWED MY PAST STORIES) I WILL BE WILLING TO SHARE A BIT OF THE OUTLINE I HAVE – WHICH IS FOR THE WHOLE STORY, BEGINNING TO END – BUT I’LL ONLY SHARE IT AS A SIGN OF FAITH FROM READERS I KNOW. SORRY. JUST EMAIL ME, IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOME OF THE OUTLINE (IT’S ALL DONE, BUT I’M NOT GOING TO RUIN THE ENDING!!!)

ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE THREE FLOUNDERING STORIES, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN ANY OF THEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I KNOW IT’S BEEN TOO LONG, AND I APOLOGIZE

SERIOUSLY, DOES ANYONE ON THIS SITE EVEN REMEMBER TIRCH?