The Long Lost Daughter

2 The Sleepover

Penelope

I am pleased with how fast the school day seemed to go. Since it is Monday on my last week of high school, my day was filled with exams. All of my teachers want to get them out of the way at the beginning of the week so all of us seniors can enjoy the last week of school activities. I am not attending any of them, I plan to attend graduation and that is it.

I am laying in bed trying to relax before my night with Ashley when I hear a knock on my door.

“Penelope?” My Aunt asks pushing open the door and coming into my room.

“Yes?” I ask sitting up and patting the bed next to me so come and join me, which she does. Rae got home a little bit ago, once she gets home from the gym she always takes a shower first.

Since Ashley was successfully able to get Josh to take Rae on a date, she looks all dressed and ready for a night on the town. She is wearing a skin tight black dress, which is of modest length because it goes to right above her knees. Rae is still barefoot, but I know she will style this outfit with heels. Her makeup is styled to perfection and her hair is beautifully curled.

I have never been one to care about my appearance. I rarely wear makeup and I don't have nice clothing. Mostly because I normally have no where nice to go. I wonder if in California, all of that will change. I can not wait until my fresh start, I just hope it goes just as I planned it.

“You know I have been thinking all day about how I can’t believe you are going to be 18" Aunt Rae says interrupting my ever constant thoughts of my future in California.

“It’s just another year Aunty, we knew I was going to turn 18 eventually" I say with a chuckle.

“I know I just can’t believe how strong you are. I am so proud of all that you have overcome and of this life that you have created for yourself. As sad I am that you are leaving me and that you don’t want to live with your cool hot Aunt anymore” she says winking at me, “I know that you are going be so successful and I promise that I am always here if you need me.”

“Oh don’t go getting all emotional on me Aunty” I say nudging her shoulder. I have a hard time with other's emotions. Mostly because I can not process my own, and because I have built up such a strong protection around me. If she starts to cry, I won't even know what to do.

But of course, her eyes fill with tears and she engulfs me in a hug. "That's the one thing that I always want you to remember, I will be here if you need anything. California is not that far, I can be there in 6 hours. Or less if I can catch a flight. These next few weeks are going to be very hard and confusing and I want you to know that I am here if you need anything.”

Aunt Rae pulls back and looks into my eyes once more. I just nod my head and show her a small smile. My aunt knows that I am not a woman of many words. Satisfied with that response Rae stands and leaves the room.

I lay back on my bed, my favorite place and think back to the conversation I just had. Why would the next few weeks be confusing? I know I have a lot of life changes coming my way, but why would they be confusing? Hard, definitely as I will be on my own for the first time in my life. But not confusing, I know what I want and I am finally going out there and getting it. Aunt Rae can be a bit dramatic at times, maybe this is one of those circumstances.

I decide to let it go and to get up and start getting ready for my night with Ashley. I had changed into a pair of leggings and a hoodie when I got home from school, I figure since this is just a sleepover with Ashley this would be appropriate attire. I grab the bag I packed and make my way down stairs.

Since my room is the only room upstairs, Aunt Rae is always downstairs. Once exiting the stairs that lead right into the kitchen I see her sitting at the table putting on her heels.

“You ready?” She asks with a smile that seems to reach from ear to ear. I know that she is excited that I have decided to do something for my birthday.

“Yep! Let’s get this over with” I respond with no where near her same amount of enthusiasm that she had.

“Oh come on, can you at least try to seem excited? Ashley is really looking forward to it" she says coming up to me and putting her arm around my shoulders as we make our way to the front door.

“I will try" I tell her honestly. I do want to at least try to have a good birthday. "Are you excited for your date tonight?” I ask causing her to blush as she grabs her clutch and keys which are on the table we keep by the front door.

“Yes I am! We are going to dinner and a movie. Oh also, Josh will be staying here tonight to let you girls have your own adult time since once the clock strikes midnight you will both be adults!”

"Sounds like a plan" I respond with a smile. I think Aunt Rae is more excited about our plans tonight then I am. We get in the car and make the short drive to Josh and Ashley's house.

Once we pull into their driveway I notice that Josh is already standing outside with his hands in his pockets. Josh is a pretty tall man at 6 feet. He is also very muscular. Aunt Rae and Josh actually met at the gym. So the both of them together are fit and attractive looking pair. Josh is the same age that my Dad is at 43 and he has dirty blonde hair with a slight amount of stubble for a beard.

Josh put a lot of effort into his look tonight as he is wearing black slacks and a grey button down shirt. I have only ever seen Josh in what I call the "Dad Uniform" which is khaki cargo shorts and some sort of graphic tee. Tonight he looks nice and cleaned up, I can tell Aunt Rae appreciates it because I can see her checking him out before we even get out of the car.

Josh starts walking to the car, I assume that he is going to open Aunt Rae's door but instead he opens my car door. He extends his hand out to me and then hugs me. Not really knowing what to do I just stand there with my arms by my side and look at Aunt Rae who looks like she is going to burst out laughing.

He is a nice guy and is a great Dad to Ashley, we get along but I know he wishes that we could be closer. I don't need a Dad figure in my life. I can see that Aunt Rae thinks this gesture is sweet though and I smile at her so she does not sense how weird I think this is. Josh is a good guy though and I know he only has the best intentions.

After what seems like forever, he finally releases me from the hug. “You girls have fun tonight" Josh says giving me one last pat on the back.

“We will” I say slowly backing away from him and inching closer to the house.

“Don’t either of you girls stay up too late it is a Monday so it is a school night!” Aunt Rae warns as I make my escape to the front door.

“Trust me we wont!" I yell back once I am finally at the front door. They both get into Rae's car and back out of the driveway.

Once I open the front door I am greeted by Ashley throwing confetti in the air yelling “Happy Birthday!!”

It takes everything in me not to laugh in her face. First of all because I would become the biggest b***h for being mean to the one person who genuinely wants to celebrate my birthday with me. Second, because she looks so silly being the only person throwing confetti in my face.

Instead of laughing in her face, I give her a little chuckle and say, “Thank you.”

We start off the night watching movies. Because it is my birthday in a few hours I was given the choice of movies. I decided on my all time favorite movies series, Twilight. Even though they are cheesy romance vampire movies I can't help but love the series. I would call it my guilty pleasure. My Dad took me to every single more premier at our local theatre because I had read the books at such a young age.

My plan to not think about my Dad is off to not a great start. As much as it hurts to think about anything having to do with my Dad, I am not going to let him ruin my favorite movies and books. I push all thoughts of him to the back of my mind in an attempt to keep the good spirit of the night.

Even though we are just watching movies, I have to admit that it has been a fun night. Both Ashley and I have seen these movies a bunch of times so we get to laugh and joke about every awkward scene.

After we finish the second movie Ashley jumps up and exclaims, “Stay right here I have a surprise for you!”

When she return all I can do is roll my eyes. She has returned to the living room holding up a pink and blue bottle of vodka. I would recognize that bottle of cheap vodka anywhere. Though I never party, I know for some reason it is Ashley's liquor of choice. I have found it hidden in her room on multiple occasions.

“Ashley! What are you doing? You’re going to get us in trouble!” I exclaim. She saunters over to me with a huge smile plastered on her face as she sits next to me again on the couch.

I have never drank before in my life. Ashely is more apart of the popular kids at school who constantly party. Josh is pretty laid back so he is not strict when it comes to Ashley going out as long as she is back at the time he tells her. Though I do not believe he knows that she drinks because she is good at hiding her alcohol and Josh is always asleep when she gets home. I don’t have anything against alcohol I just don't like the taste of it and never go to parties to drink it.

The most I have had was a few sips of Aunt Rae's wine and it tasted disgusting. Ashley knows all of this, which earns another eye roll from me. She continues to stare back at me and wiggle her eyebrows. I know she is asking me to drink without even using her words.

“Ashley we have school tomorrow I can’t drink for the first time when I have to be a good student tomorrow!” I exclaim.

“I did not say let's get drunk. Let’s just take a shot and then we will be nice and relaxed. We will watch one more movies, then we will go to bed. No big deal. You just need to relax, and what a better opportunity than on your birthday?!” Ashley whines.

“Ashley what will your Dad say? What if he finds out and tells my Aunt?” I try asking. Honestly her plan does not sound all that bad. What will one shot do to me?

“Come on! You’re going to be 18 in a matter of hours so what does it matter what you do? Your Aunt can’t punish you because you will be an adult. She can’t kick you out because you’re moving Sunday anyways. You don’t have to get drunk just loosen up a little and lets have some fun!” she exclaims popping up onto her knees and waving the bottle in my face.

“Fine!” I exclaim and tackle her onto the couch. We laugh and make our way to the kitchen. Though this is not where I saw the night going, I do have to admit that it feels fun to be just a little bit rebellious.

One shot quickly turned into five and by the time it hits 11:00pm Ashley is slurring all of her words and is falling all over the place. The vodka as I guessed, tasted absolutely disgusting. What is surprising me the most about this drinking adventure is that Ashley is clearly very tipsy after those 5 shots and I feel perfectly fine.

I feel a little bit more relaxed than normal but I don’t understand why I do not feel as drunk as she does. I have always heard that people who weigh more take more to get drunk, but Ashley is not much heavier than me. I have more curves than she does but I am not much heavier than her. Shouldn't I be as tipsy as she is right now?

After we are done with Eclipse I decide that it is time for us to go to go to bed. I help Ashley to her room and help her get settled in bed. I do not know how drunk she actually is so I decide to place her trash can next to her for good measure, I don't want her to start throwing up all over the place. I have never been drunk before, but from what I have seen in movies I also figure I should get her some water and maybe some Tylenol.

I make my way back to the kitchen and begin looking through the cabinets to figure out where they keep their medicine. Taking a glance at the clock that is on their stove, I notice that it reads 12:00am. It is officially my birthday. I stand there keeping my eyes on the clock, deep in thought.

Wow I did it I made it through all of the struggles in my life and I have made it into adult hood. I made it through the last four years without my Dad. I am about to graduate high school, move away to my dream college and figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Still deep in thought I hear a voice that sounds as if it is coming from inside my head. It is not my voice, however it is a mysterious voice that almost echoes as I hear it.

Yes you did it darling! I am so proud of you!

The voice catches me so off guard I scream and look around me trying to figure out where this voice is coming from. I frantically look around because that could only mean that someone is in this house.

Don’t be scared love it is just me, the voice says.

I frantically begin walking through the house, opening every door and turning on every light. The cause voice has to be in here somewhere. There is no way it is coming from my head. Maybe I am drunk, maybe that is why I am hearing voices.

Honey please stop you are going to hurt yourself if you do not calm down, the voice tries to say in a very calm voice.

"I am not going to stop! I am going to find you! I won't let you hurt me or Ashley!" I yell in a completely defensive mode. I have learned about flight or fight response in school, clearly I am a fighter.

You are a fighter, I am not going to hurt you.

I did not say that out loud. "What? You can hear my thoughts?" I ask to the empty space around me as I continue to roam the house.

Of course I can! We are one, two beings in one existence.

What does that even mean what is happening? I think to myself.

I find myself standing in the living room when my head begins to pound, too overwhelmed by everything going on inside it. I start to sway and try to find something to grab onto with no success. I finally feel myself fall, passing out on the floor, banging my head on impact.