Chapter 1: It Never Rains in Southern California...Right-3

About five minutes later, we arrive at the O’Connor’s home. It still looks exactly the same as it did seven years ago. It’s a two story pale blue house. It’s a fairly large home, but that’s only because they’re a fairly large family. Uncle Ricky, Sarah and I get out of the car, and get my bags from the trunk. Uncle Ricky retrieves his keys from his pocket and unlocks the door. He gestures for me and Sarah to go first. As I step over the threshold of the house, it all comes back to me. It hits me like a gush of wind. I remember the very last time I was at this house. It was August of 2005. That was the last time I saw any of the O’Connor’s. In case it isn’t obvious, I am less than thrilled about seeing the O’Connor children again. “I’ll get you a towel Mickey.” Uncle Ricky tells me as he leaves. I would sit on the couch, but I don’t want to get it wet. “So where is everyone?” I ask Sarah. “They’re all at school. Today’s actually their last day. They’ll be home in about two hours; it’s already 1:30.” She tells me. I nod in understanding and then Uncle Ricky comes back downstairs with a large towel in his hand. I gladly accept it from him and wrap it around my body, and take the other one, and put it on my dripping hair. “So where will I be staying?” I ask them. “Your old room that you used to have when you were here.” “You mean the one I shared with Hailey?” I ask, praying that he says no. “No silly. We upgraded the house a few years ago. We have eight bedrooms now, four down here and four upstairs. You’ll still have the same one you used to have, except Hailey won’t be in there with you.” “Oh okay, well is it okay if I go on up?” “Sure.” Uncle Ricky says. “Are you hungry? I’ll make you something if you are.” Sarah says eagerly. I nod, “Yeah, I guess I am a little hungry I’m just gonna go on up now.” I tell her. She smiles and nods, going into the kitchen. I lift my bags, and trudge up the stairs. I try to remember where my old bedroom is. I think I have the right one, as I twist the knob, and push open the door. I’m right-this is definitely my old room. Granted, it does look a bit more suited for a teenager now. The full sized bed that used to be here has been replaced by a Queen sized bed that is fitted with silky pink sheets. How girly. I mean, not that I don’t like pink, but I’m more of a yellow/orange type of girl. I put my bags on the white carpeted floor since they’re wet and sit down on the floor next to them. The room has been fully furnished with everything I need. There’s a mahogany work desk that has a Mac laptop on it which is good, because mine is at home under my bed. A plasma TV mounted on the wall. Too bad it doesn’t have its own bathroom. I unzip my first suitcase which has shirts-tanks and short sleeved once mostly, shorts, and flip flops. I dump them all out on the floor, happy that they didn’t get wet. I stand up and hang the short and shirts up in the large closet that’s adjacent to the bed. I wonder if the O’Connor’s are rich. I mean, I know they aren’t like stacked rich, but I think they do have a lump sum of money. If I had to classify them though, I’d say they were upper middle class. A knock comes at my door and I go over and open it. Sarah is standing there. “Come in.” I say, stepping aside for her. She comes in and hands me a plate which has pizza on it. “I was gonna make you something, but Ricky decided to just order a pizza. You aren’t vegetarian are you?” She asks. She only asked me that because when I was like eight I tried to go vegetarian. It lasted all of twenty minutes. I shake my head stifling a laugh, “No, I’m not a vegetarian, thanks Sarah.” I say, taking the plate from her. “Do you need some help unpacking?” She asks. “No that’s okay, I’ve got it. Thanks though.” She nods, and leaves the room closing the door behind her. I pull my phone from the pocket up my jeans hoping that it didn’t get completely soaked. Thank God it didn’t. It’s only a bit damp, but nothing too damaging. I wipe it off and call my house phone number. It rings twice before I hear Phil’s voice. “Hello McKenna.” “Hi Phil.” “So you’re in Vernon?” He asks. “I am in Vernon.” I confirm. “How is everyone?” He wonders. “I wouldn’t know. No one’s here. Only Uncle Ricky and Sarah.” I tell him. “Oh the kids aren’t out for summer yet?” “No, today’s their last day.” “You do know that we really wouldn’t have minded if you’d come to Brazil with us.” I sigh, “Yeah, I know. But I didn’t wanna go to Brazil with you guys. I mean I’d be all alone and have no one to talk to.” I explain. “Yeah, hold on McKenna. Your mother wants to talk to you.”