The Sanders pulled up to their newest home. Everyone stared with anticipation at the house looming before them. It was a faint blue two-story residence with attached garage. They moved many times in the last few years, John and Melonie Sanders hoped this would be their last move. The children got out first, Daisy Sanders ran up to the front door excited to choose her room first.
"Hurry, Dad! I want to choose my room first!" Daisy beamed a smile at John. She lightly bounced, awaiting her dad to come unlock the door.
"Haha- Hold on, Daisy, I'm coming." John said, rushing up to the door, unlocking it with a few clicks. He pushed the door open for daisy to enter. Daisy bolted up the stairs to choose the nicest room in the house.
"She seems excited, doesn't she dear?" John said reaching for his beautiful wife Melonie. He placed his hand on the small of her back, pressing her closer. "What do you think, dearest?" He asked, putting his forehead against hers. Melonie relaxed her body into his grip. Her frail, delicate frame looked so small wrapped in his enormous arms.
"She seems happy, only because she's going to take the best room-Haha" Melonie chuckled, as did John. "Will this be our last move?" Melonie questioned, looking away from John's gaze. His grip tightens on her waist. She winced at the sudden pain looking back at him.
"Of course it will be the last time we move my love, as long as the entire family pulls their own weight." His words held a strained tone that Melonie knew all too well. He let go of her waist and put her hand into his. He raised her hand up to his lips, giving it a squeeze before kissing it tenderly.
"Yes, your right. We must all make sacrifices, hun" Melonie said, smiling lovingly at John. He gestured for her to enter the house. Melonie walked in, looking around. She ran her hand over the banister, walking towards the living room. Their furniture was already set up, although that didn't surprise her. Walking through the other sections of the house. Everything was plain, like always, John liked it that way. She reminded herself that every time she wanted to add a little color. 'My John likes it this way.' Oh course Melonie would let him have the house anyway he wanted. John was her true love after all, she would never go against him. Melonie turned around to find John watching her. She smiled, stating, "I love it John! It's perfect." She ran up, hugging him and planting a kiss on his cheek.
"I knew you would love it." His voice cracked as his tone changed. "But, where is my son." John smiled at Melonie. She looked around, a bit nervous.
"I think he is still in the car hun, I will go get him- "Before Melonie could turn away, John clutched her arm. She gazed into his eyes, they were dark and dilated. This look was something she was also used to.
"No, I'll go get him, dearest." John let go of her and headed to the front door. Melonie stood in the living room watching John walk to the car from the picture window. She put her hand up to her mouth covering it slightly and biting her lip, wondering what John was going to do.
"Mick, get out of the car." Johns voice was deep. Mick opened the door. He stood before his father's intense gaze.
"Sorry dad, I fell asleep during the drive..." Mick knew his father wasn't happy with him. He stood up straight and kept his hands to his sides, just like John expected of him. Johns gaze faded, replaced by a smile creeping across his face.
"It's okay son, however, I'm afraid your sister already chose the best room in the house for herself." John tussled Mick's hair. "Head inside, your mother is wondering where you are." Mick nodded and started for the house. Before he could get to the door, John had one more thing to say, "And Mick... Pull your weight this time." Mick once again nodded, heading for the door fast now.
Once inside, Mick finally let his breath out. He looked around, unimpressed. This house was just like the others, plain, perfect, ordinary. Mick wondered around looking for his mother. He walked into the living room to the right of the stairs. His mother stood at the fireplace looking down.
"Mom? Dad said you were looking for me?" Mick let himself relax a bit now sense he was around his mother. She looked up at him with a confused look on her face before responding to him.
"Oh, yeah, I was. I wanted you to go pick your room out, sweetie." Melonie smiled at her son. However, Mick found it a bit odd. He shook it off and headed upstairs to see which rooms were still available. As he ascended the stairs his father walked in with some boxes placing them in the sunroom then walking back out again. Mick watched a bit before turning away. He didn't know which boxes were his anyway, 'I'll just have to wait until he brings them all in, I guess.' Mick thought, roaming the hallway. He came to a room on the left side of the hall. His sister chose the biggest room, but Mick like this one much better. It had a nice sized closet, two large windows and old bookcase centered between them. He walked in looking around, imagining where his belongings would be. Daisy walked into the room without him noticing,
"This the one your taking?" She asked mockingly. She knew this was the only other room he could take. John and Melonie would be at the end of the hall, as always.
"Yes, nosey, I'll be taking this one." He huffed and attempted to shoo her away.
"You shouldn't of fell asleep in the car Mick, dad was looking for you." Daisy's voice sounded threating but that's not what confused Mick. 'dad said mom was looking for me..' He shook the thought out of his head trying not to think of it anymore. He could of swore he heard his father talking to someone. He rushed downstairs, opening the front door. He saw his father talking to a man outside. Daisy came up behind Mick "Come on, dad wants to introduce us to a neighbor." Daisy shot a look to Mick that said he should get moving. Melonie was already outside on John's arm, laughing at some joke he made. Daisy walked up with Mick in tow,
"Ah, there they are!" Melonie said, ushering them over to join her.
"What beautiful children you have!" the man said holding out his hand to shake their hands "My name is Mr. Hamile I'm your neighbor on the far right side of the turnaround." Mick and Daisy smiled and greeted the man.
"I'm Daisy Sanders, it's nice to meet you Mr. Hamile" Daisy smiled her most charming smile, reaching her hand out to shake Mr. Hamiles.
"I'm Mick Sanders, It's a pleasure to meet you as well, sir." Mick held his hand out as well. Mr. Hamile shook his tightly, saying,
"Your father told me you would play football this year, is that right?"
"Yes, it is Mr. Hamile, I was a captain at my last school."
"That's marvelous! My son is playing this year too, maybe you could give him some pointers-Haha" Mr. Hamile chuckled, and in suit so did all the Sanders. However, John cut the meet and greet short.
"I'm so sorry Mr. Hamile, it was lovely meeting you, but we must get back to unpacking." John smiled, Mr. Hamile agreed and apologized for taking up so much of his time before turning to leave. John took the last box out of the car. He walked towards the door and glanced back at his family. His gazed pierced through each one of them and they headed inside swiftly. John watched as one by one his family entered the house. He closed the door behind them, dropping the last box on the floor with a bang. The family gathered in the living room. John stood in front of the fireplace in silence. He looked at each of them. No one knew what he was thinking but stared back without breaking away. John took a deep breath and exhaled before he spoke.
"We must all pull our weight here." John cleared his throat, then continued. "I expect nothing but your best from here on out. Does everyone understand?" John's voice was deep and his tone daring. Everyone sat in silence for a moment before, all at once, agreeing.
"Yes, sir."
Melonie got up and stood next to John, "Well, I think it's about time for dinner. Don't you agree, Hun?" She said looking to John and holding on to his arm in a clingy way. He nodded and shooed his children away.
"Let's get on with it." He said pulling away from Melonie and gesturing for her to go cook. Melonie nodded and headed to the kitchen.
John leaned against the fireplace, sighing. "We will start fresh this time." He ran his hand through his hair. "I'll make sure of it."