Chapter Four
I hope that she knows, that I will never be able to accept the fact that she's getting remarried. Don't get me wrong, I would have expected a step-dad in maybe three or four years, but it's three days after Dad's funeral, and I'm sitting next to my soon-to-be-step-dad. I'm sitting next to a complete stranger named Gabe. We're on a plane, and heading to our new home in London, England. I'm in total astonishment. This all happened in such a rush. I scarcely know what is going on right now! It is all moving too quick. I've always wished for an adventure, something exciting. But this? This is insane!Three more hours, and we'll be in our new home, in London. I wonder how it looks. I hope it's not too big. A little log cabin would be nice. I'm use to moving. It's not really that big of a deal for me. Although, we've never moved out or the eastern United States. I guess, I'm sort of excited. I don't really know if i should be, though. I mean, Dad's dead, and Mom's already replaced him. I wonder if he knows. I really hope he doesn't. It would hurt him far too much."So, how old are you?" Gabe utters."You're going to be my dad. Shouldn't you know?" I could see that a confused look had formed onto his face. Following a sigh, I say,"Sixteen.""Mm." What? What the hell does he mean by Mm? I couldn't help it that I let out a tiny bit of a chuckle. I don't think he heard. If he did hear, too bad. I am wondering; should I be mad a my mom, or at Gabe? I really don't know. I think I’ll stay mad at the both of them. It's easier that way. The funny thing is, Mom probably has no idea whatsoever that I am furious towards her and her "boyfriend".
“Would you like anything to drink sweetie?” I turn to face the attractive young flight attendant. She smiles at me showing her perfect teeth. Her dirty blonde hair is tightly tide back into a pony tail. Clean cut bangs fall to her eyelids.
“No thanks” I respond politely.
“How about you, Sir?” she asks Gabe. He’s been eyeing her this whole flight. My mother hasn’t noticed, or she has but hasn’t said anything. It’s not like her to confront people.
“I’m fine-” he looks at her name tag, “Leslie”. As he says her name he over annunciates the “L’s”. Leslie turns to leave us, but Gabe’s arm reaches over me and he elbows my chin, accidentally. Without apologizing, or paying any attention at all to me, he puts his hand on her arm.
“Love, my mind seems to have changed. I would like something to drink”. She begins to ask him what he would like, but before she can finish he interrupts her, saying,
“Surprise me”. Then he winks. She nervously laughs and then walks to the back of the plane. He watches her stroll back down the aisle. The look on his face is disgusting. I want to slap the expression off of him, but forcefully restrain myself. I look at my mom, who sits on the other side of Gabe. I am aggravated at the fact that she hasn’t seen what I have just. She’s still buried deeply into her romance novel. She looks beautiful.
The airplane is landed. I unbuckle, and grab my backpack. I follow Mother and Gabe off of the plane. He gives Leslie one last up and down look, but she avoids eye contact with him. At this I chuckle. She puts one hand on my shoulder and looks strangely at my face. Reading her sympathetic mind, I smile an awkward smile at her.Damn, am I tired! I want to go home to our new house, and rest. I hope my room is beautiful. Maybe...wooden floors...and stone walls! Yes. That'd be perfect.
Stopping at the rotating glass doors, my mom speaks."Cessy, go home with Gabe. He knows where the house is. I need to drive our stuff over, and it'll take a lot of room."Okay, Mom." I say. Under my breath I add, "Hurry..."I'm beginning to spend a lot of time with Gabe. I mean, on the plane, and now he'll be living with us in our new house, which he will be driving me to in five seconds.
I follow him through rows and columns of cars. Eventually we arrive at a yellow mustang. He gazes upon it admiringly, then opens the trunk. I throw stuff in, then open a side door and slide into a back seat. I shut the door brashly. Following me, he opens the drivers door. As he sits, the leather squeaks. And so it begins."How far away is my house? Um, our new house?" I wanted to murder myself for just saying that. It was hard enough to spit out those vile words, but now, I had to await his reply."Hmm, well, it's out in the country a little ways, and it's quite large.” What the hell was that? That wasn't exactly what i asked, unless that is how far away it is."How far?" I ask, sounding irritated."About an hour and a half longer" he slowly retorts. Oh joy! Another long hour and a half with Gabe. Yes, I am looking forward to our quality time together. Ha!It's funny. He thinks I’m listening to him. It's gone on for about an hour now. Randomly, I’ll tune in.
“…and she mistook me for some actor…but I’d already had a few martinis…people don’t like how I’m so attractive. It makes them uncomfortable…”
He's just talking. It's not very interesting. I peek at the clock. Only thirty minutes left! I can do it! I can hang in there! Only a little while longer.

"Here we are."