SWNOVELS Chapter 14 Family Baggage
As soon as Henry left me alone, I ran straight home. Man, I couldn’t believe I’m saying this, but I just wanted to get back to Gary’s house. I knew I’d be safe there. Soon as I got to the driveway, I was surprised to see Mary in the window waiting for me. As soon as I walked up the steps, she opened the door slightly and asked, “Well, did my teaching work out for you?”
“Sure did, sis. Take a look.”
I showed her the phone number, and apparently, that was the magic word. She then opened the door fully and let me in.
As I walked into the house and headed to my room to put my backpack away, I heard Mary from the hallway say, “If you’re wondering where Mom is, she went to go get groceries and should be back about now.” Just then, I heard the door open, and Gary’s mom entered and said, “I’m back, and hey, Gary, can you be a gentleman and help bring the rest of the groceries in for me?”
I put my backpack down and headed outside, where I saw this long red station wagon on the driveway. I walked towards the rear of the car and opened the door, and saw like fifteen brown paper bags. Geez, these old cars are huge. One by one, I brought all the groceries in, and when I finally got to the last of the groceries, Gary’s Father was surprised that I was outside and asked, “You’re not trying to sneak out with the car…. are you?” I turned around slowly and said, “W-w-what no, I’m just helping Mom with the groceries. But actually, now that you mention it, I have something to tell you at dinner.”
As soon as I headed back inside the house towards the kitchen, I announced, “I did it.” Gary’s mom thanked me and said, “Dinner will be ready at 5.” I put the last of the groceries in the food pantry. Then Gary’s Mom asked, “Before you go to your room, can you do one more thing for me?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Could you please go downstairs in the basement and tell your sister Mary to come up here and help me prepare dinner?”
“Will do,” I answered. Thinking to myself, there’s a downstairs? How do I get there? I assume there is a mystery door that leads to the basement around here. I opened one hallway door -- which was a broom closet. Luckily, Gary’s mom didn’t see me because that would be hard to explain. I opened the next door, and there were the stairs.
Now, it seemed quite dark down there. There was just one light bulb above the stairs. I was thinking, this is how every horror movie starts. I tiptoed down the steps and saw Mary folding clothes on a big wooden table. She seemed to be humming a song to herself while doing her chores. I called out, “Mary,” but she didn’t hear me. So, this time, I shouted, “Mary!” She jumped and turned around to look.
“Geez, you startled me, Gary. What the heck do you want?”
“I’m just letting you know that mom wants you to go upstairs and help her prepare dinner,” I answered
“You know you could’ve just told me that quietly. There was no need to shout.”
“But where’s the fun in that?” I asked.
Mary answered, “Oh, you think you’re so clever. Here’s something to laugh about.” That was when she grabbed my arm and started to twist it harder. I said Owh...Owh...Uncle...Uncle! She let go of my arm and said Do that again and… I’ll make sure to twist it even harder.
“Oh, I oughta...” I said to myself… Man she is starting to get on my nerves! I huffed and headed back upstairs through the kitchen and passing, I told Gary’s mom that Mary was coming up soon, and after that, I headed straight for my room and just laid on my bed to relax because I definitely needed it after today. As I was staring at the ceiling, I thought, I’m starting to get the hang of things here.