Joel climbed out from behind the protective glass of the black Mercedes S-Class SUV, stepping into the stark midday sunlight. Lulu leaped out of the open door after him, her claws clicking anxiously on the hot concrete. She immediately pressed against his leg, her head low, letting out a soft whine. Joel's deep blue eyes, hidden behind his dark, polarized sunglasses, surveyed his new surroundings. The air was hot, thick, and wet. The scent of Spanish lavender, carried on an oppressive breeze from the south fields of the Hughes Ranch, filled his nostrils. The weather report said there wouldn’t be any relief from the heatwave for at least a week, maybe two.
The moving truck was parked in the large semi-circle driveway. The clank of the metal ramp and the muffled thuds of furniture echoed from the open front door.
He and Rachel stood in front of their new Executive home, in Oak Valley Estates. The gated community was full of perfectly manicured lawns that stretched out like a vast, waveless emerald sea. The Taits’ new home overlooked the 7th green of the Ridge Course.
Rachel put her arm around Joel as they took in the view. "What do you think, sweetie?"
A tight, humorless smirk played on his pale pink lips, and his voice dripped with disgust as he spoke. "This isn't a fresh start; it’s more like the collective aftermath of every misplaced step, every unseen pile of dog poop I’ve ever watched someone else blithely step into.” He let out a big sigh. “Ugh, gross.”
The voices of distant golfers, the intimidating heights of giant oak trees—it was a lot for a city boy to take in. “I feel smaller here than I ever did among the skyscrapers.” Joel moaned. “And so far, there is nothing here I find attractive. All this grass. So green. Ugh.” Joel continued, “Mom, the only thing making this move bearable is the fact that you took time off from work to be here with me right now. I seriously couldn't do this without you here.” Joel leaned into his mother’s side, seeking comfort as Lulu pushed her head against his other leg. “I still don't understand why Dad had to take this dumb job anyway. Why couldn't we stay in the city?”
“C'mon, sweetheart,” Rachel said, gently shaking his shoulder. “We've been over this so many times. You know Daddy can't commute four hundred miles. Being a university president means it'd be completely impractical.” The joy from yesterday’s new friend seemed to have made little improvement on his displeasure.
“Why not? You do!” Joel jabbed. Not waiting for an answer, "C'mon, Lulu." He smacked his hand to his thigh, signaling her to follow. He retreated to the house, his small, loyal shadow trotting at his heels. He was suddenly eager to see his new room. His new sanctuary.
Rachel sighed, watching her son disappear into the house. She knew that beneath his frustrated words was a sweet boy who felt isolated and misunderstood. No matter how many times they went over it, she couldn't make him see any 'bright side' to this move.
She couldn't deny his frustration. Joel knew precisely what lay in store for him when he started at his new high school in a couple weeks: a fresh round of bullying from new bullies in a new school. Only this time, it was in a strange town. At least before, when he'd changed schools, he still had the familiar, relative safety and security of the home he'd always known, accompanied by his long-time therapist, Ms. Janet, whom he'd known since he was eight years old. She was a reassuring voice that helped him manage his depression. Now, he wouldn't have her either, at least not physically. Rachel had arranged for her to be available via scheduled virtual visits, with an emergency number saved in his phone.
Though she believed it was foolish, she was also desperate and feeling inadequate. Spotting a small stick in the grass, she picked it up. What the hell, it can’t hurt to try. She made the motion as if it were a real magic wand. She actually wished Joel had a fairy godmother who could wave a magic wand and take away his pain. She whispered to herself, “Poof!” Just like in the fairy tales, her baby would be okay and live happily ever after. But that only happens in fairy tales. Right?
Still, she hoped and prayed that in this new place, her son would find some peace in a friend—someone who saw him for the smart, funny, and deeply loving boy he truly was, and not the weird, gay, albino kid who was always left on the outside looking in.
For now, Rachel’s hopes lay entirely at Emily’s feet, she would have to pray that Emily had the strength Joel would need.
As Joel entered, the blast of the air-conditioner hit him, a cold shock against his overheating skin. The air was potent with the smell of fresh paint and new carpet. He raced through the chaotic maze of boxes and furniture like a gladiator, with Lulu hot on his heels. They zipped past Robert, who was standing in the cavernous main hall with a phone pressed to his ear. Lulu’s shoulder grazed his leg as she passed causing him to spin on his heels. "Watch it, Joel!" Robert hissed, hand over the receiver.
Ignoring him, Joel took the carpeted stairs two at a time, Lulu bounding right behind him, her nails scratching for purchase. He took a sharp turn at the top, nearly colliding with a large, scruffy-looking mover.
"Whoa, easy there, kid," the man grunted, his voice gruff.
Joel stumbled back, startled. Lulu, however, did not. She planted herself between Joel and the man, her hackles rising, and let out a low, sharp growl.
"Whoa," the mover said again, this time his eyes wide, taking in Joel's paper-white skin and the bared teeth of the dog. "Easy, dog."
"She's fine," Joel said, grabbing Lulu's collar. "Where's my stuff? Which one is my room?"
The mover looked around, his sweaty face blank. "Uh, I don't know, kid. No kids room up here. Just master-bedroom, offices and a guest room." He shrugged, then carefully sidestepped the growling dog and lumbered down the stairs.
Joel stood frozen. The man's words echoed in the empty space. No kids room up here. His face crumpled. In disbelief, he peered into each room. Mom and Dad’s room. Yep. Guest room. Yep. Room one, Dad’s desk, boxes marked ‘Robert’s books’. Room two, Mom’s desk, boxes marked ‘Rachel’s office’. Confirmed, the man wasn’t lying.
“Mom! Mom!” Joel’s voice cracked, echoing throughout the house. It was punctuated by Lulu's high-pitched, anxious whines as she paced at his feet. “Mom, where are you? I need you up here right now!” He demanded.
Rachel had been directing the movers in the kitchen, but dutifully appeared at the bottom step. “What is it, Joel? I’m busy down here, is something wrong?”
“Yes, there’s something very wrong, please! I need you to come up here right now, please!” He begged her.
Once at the top, Joel grabbed her hand, dragging her down the hall. “Joel? What’s the matter?” Rachel began to pull away. “Tell me what’s wrong!”
They stood on the large central landing, a hub in the center of the four bedroom doors, while movers maneuvered around them. Lulu, sensing both the strangers and Joel's rising panic, let out another low growl at a man who passed too close. Holding Rachel’s wrist, Joel pulled her down to his level. He put a hand up by his mouth and sternly whispered just loud enough for Rachel to hear. His voice was desperate. “They are not putting my stuff in a room! One of these rooms should be mine!” He put his mouth up close to her ear. “Tell them to stop!”
Speaking softly, Rachel pointed at the different rooms. “Well honey, I can’t do that. You see, these rooms are going to be your father’s and my home offices, and this one is going to be our guest room.”
Tears welled up in his eyes, like he’d been betrayed. He wasn’t angry. He was broken. “But that can’t be right. My room is next to your room. It’s always been that way. I can’t be away from you. I don’t want to be away from you. How will I sleep?” Tears now flowed freely down his soft cheeks. He buried his free hand in Lulu's fur, who was now whimpering in perfect sync with his sobs. “I need to be by you.”
Rachel knelt down on the floor, wiping his eyes. “Joel. Sweetheart. Look at me.” gently lifting his chin. “Sweetie, I know this is sudden, but I need you to listen, okay?
“But…” he objected but she cut him off.
“NO! Sweetie, I need you to hear me.” she wiped his eyes again as he looked at her loving smile. “You don’t need to be by me all the time now…” He objected again to no avail. “You’re a big boy now, I need you to be brave and trust me. Okay? You don’t need a room next to mine any longer. You’re getting to the age where you’re going to want more privacy, your own space, where daddy and I need your permission to enter. Do you understand?”
Joel wiped his own tears away. “I don’t know. I guess? But where’s my room then? There’s only four in this house. Don’t you love me anymore? I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain lately mom, please, I’ll behave, I promise. I won’t be any more trouble. Please!” He begged again. “Are you sending me away somewhere? You’re scaring me.” The tears flowed again.
Rachel looked patiently and lovingly at Joel. 'Joel, sweetheart,' she said, cupping his face in her hands. “I’m not sending you away, I would never do that. And I will always love you, until my last breath. Now, if you let me explain… I have a surprise for you.” Rachel knew Joel wouldn’t explore the lower level of the house, so she never told Joel about his new room. Until now. “Come with me, you’re going to want to see this.”
She led him down the hall on the main level. “See that door down there at the end? Go ahead and open it.” She had a devilish look on her face, making Joel suspicious.
“Is this some trick? Are you tricking me?” He smirked back at her as she just pointed with her head, repeating her instructions.
Joel hesitantly opened the door peering inside, but all he saw were steps. Confused, he looked back, questioning his mother. Close on his heels, she nudged him down the steps. “Go on!” speaking softly. “I promise, you’re going to love this.”
Joel’s eyes bulged when he opened the door at the bottom. Lulu, sensing his sudden shift from terror to awe, bounded past him down the steps. “Oh… My… God…” he turned to see his mother’s beaming face. “Are you kidding me? This is amazing, It’s like a whole apartment!” Joel raced around touching and looking at everything. All his things were there waiting for him.
Rachel laughed gleefully. “It IS a whole apartment sweetheart! And it’s all yours! It has a bedroom, a full kitchen, and a full bathroom. And… all this huge space is your living room, with your own sliding glass door!” She slid it open, and Lulu was already at the screen, her tail wagging. "It goes right out to the backyard. It's all fenced in, so Lulu can run around as much as she wants."
Joel’s mouth was agape. He looked at the large, private, fenced-in yard, then back at the room. “A... a yard? For us?” He had forgotten all about his fear of being away from his mother. “Is this for real?”
“It’s for real!” Rachel replied. “We’ll pick out furniture for your living room, together, next week. But for now, your bed and all your things are here, so you can arrange and decorate everything just the way you want it! And we had all the windows in the house UV tinted before we got here, so you can go anywhere in the house you want without concern.”
Joel squeezed Rachel as tight as he could. “I can’t believe it mom; I love you so much. I’m sorry I’ve been so terrible lately. I’ve just been so scared all the time.”
She squeezed him back, again, knelt down to look him in the eyes. “I’m glad you like it sweetie. I promise you, once you get used to this space, you’re never gonna want to leave.” she laughed. “But I still want you to leave once in a while, okay? Like Daddy and I have been saying, this is a new start for all of us, not just you.” she looked at his hair as she ran her finger through his shaggy white locks, then back to his eyes. “We know this is going to be a really big adjustment for you, living here, in this town. And I know, there will be tough times, right? But daddy and I are here and we’ll do everything we can to support you.” Joel nodded in silent agreement as all his fears ran through his imagination. “Like Daddy said, try to look on the bright side of things, and there will be a bright side, I promise you! And you know I always keep my promises, don’t I?” Joel nodded again.
“Hey! You’re already ahead of the game. You have Emily now!” Joel’s face beamed, “That’s one bright thing, so you have to count it!” Rachel was trying hard to keep his spirits up until he could find out for himself that things weren’t as bad as he thought. “We just have to track down where they live so we can get you guys together.”
His face blushed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Emily seems pretty cool, right?”
“Uhm, YEAH! Very cool! As a matter of fact,” Rachel exclaimed. “she reminds me of one of my girlfriends I had in high school, Susan Bradford, she was misunderstood too. She looked rough and scary on the outside, but she had a heart of gold on the inside. You would have loved her!” Rachel’s face warmed as fond memories flashed in her mind. “So, don’t sell Emily short, I’m willing to bet, she’ll surprise you. Stick by her side, she won’t lead you wrong. But if you ever feel like something is ‘off’, you let me know and we’ll figure it out together. Deal?”
Joel sheepishly smiled. “Yeah… okay, you have a deal. What is it with people lately, wanting to make deals with me? First Emily, and now you! Who’s next?”