After 2 hours of a private jet, a one hour drive we were finally here and by we I meant me and the driver that picked me up for the airport. My father thought it would be good to move to LA. I grew in Washington DC, lived there all my life but my father thought I needed a change after losing my mother and brother in a car accident two years ago. Before he became a senate and never had time for me anymore.
When my mother and brother were alive everything was different. We were the ideal family that lived across the street, loving parents with two perfect children. My father was always home for dinner, we had family night every Sunday even when we got too old for it. My brother was 4 years older than me, in his first year of college when he died.
He was studying to be a surgeon. Which my parents were proud of. The day of the accident was the worst day for me. I was in class when two police officers came to my class. The minute I saw them I knew something horrible had happened. They told me there was an accident involving a car. My mother and brother were hit by a man who ignored the traffic lights. The man died on impact so did my mother.
My brother, however remained alive for a few months—He was in a coma. My father and I had hoped he would wake up even if he did he would never be the same. They told us he would be a vegetable. But we refused to pull the plug. But he ended up dying. My father was lost for months. Never leaving the house until he got himself together. He realised he had me to take care of.
Then he became a senate.
He thought a new house and school will make me happy but all I wanted was for him to be home. I didn't want to leave DC. I grew up there. My whole life was there. Which was why I begged him to let me at least spend my summer there before he moved me away from everything I knew.
He was meant to be with me today but work called. Like always.
I opened the car door and got out. LA was way hotter than D.C. not that I minded. But I loved the snow. I looked up at my new home. It was beautiful. It had a mini driveway and was painted white. I wanted to take a look around but I saw the sun was already setting and tomorrow was my first day at my new school.
I took my backpack out of the car and made my way to the door. I thought the staff would be waiting for me but I guess I was wrong. I looked back to the diver, he was already getting back in the car. Deciding to just open the door, it was my house after all.
Just as I was about to open the door, it opened itself reliving a middle-aged woman. She was dressed in a light blue dress smiling at me. She was tanned and short.
"Hello. Vanessa" she pulls me in for a hug.
"Sorry, I was not out to greet you," she said
letting me go. "I am Greta," she says softly.
I already knew who she was. Father told me she would be waiting for me.
"Nice to meet you," I say smiling back at her.
"Come in dear, you look tired" pulling me in
"Dinner will be ready, then I will take you up to your room," she said taking my small backpack off me.
The house was beautiful and homey. It reminded me of home.
"We don't have time to give you a tour, but tomorrow after school if you are up to it" she continued as I followed her deeper into the house.
"Your driver, Paul will be here to pick you up at 7:30, it is a 30 minutes drive to your school" I let her continue.
She led me into a dining room and a plate of food waited for me. I was hungry. Glad she made something for me to eat.
I took a seat and started eating. She excuses her self and left me to eat. I was done in 10 minutes. She walked in at the right time.
She looked down at my plate and smiled "thank you it was nice" I said as she took the plate. "Your welcome dear".
I got up and followed her into the kitchen. Waiting for her to talk me to the room.
"Come on let's get you to bed," she said walking upstairs. I didn't even notice it was there.
She leads me to a door that was light pink. I knew this was my room. She opened the door and I saw my belongings. My boxes and things.
"Your clothes have been arranged but we didn't want to touch the boxes," she said softly. I knew it was some of my mother's stuff I kept.
I turned to her "thank you Greta" she smiled and hesitated before she left.
I closed the door on her and turned to face my new bedroom. It was big. Bigger than my other one. The bed looked very comfortable. I walked towards it and saw a small box on it with a letter at the bottom.
It was a Pandora box. I knew it was from my father. I picked it up and opened it. It was a bracelet. It only had one charm on it and it was of a butterfly. I opened up the letter and it said 'sorry for not being there. Love dad.' My eyes began to water.
I wasn't angry with him. I understood he had to work. I didn't want him to think he was falling me. I went to the bed with the box and letter in my hands sobbing until I fell asleep.