Narrative Essay On The La House
The chilled Los Angeles winter winds howl outside her hillside mansion doors. Silence broken by trees. The trees that Ashlyn Slaters grandmother planted many, many years ago. The LA house was built by Gerald Slater and Lisa Oswaldo, soon to be Lisa Slater. They planted a tree as a symbol of their love, but once Ashlyn's parents got married they gave the house to them. After giving the house to her parents, they retired to the peaceful Maine countryside.
Ashlyns thoughts were rudely interrupted by the light songs of blue birds coming from her mother's phone. Her mother picked up the phone which stopped the songs. Ashlyn can see when her mother picks up the phone the immediate face of dismay. The rcaller and the information on the call, …show more content…
Ashlyn was not sure of. Her mother was fighting back tears as she shakily holds the phone up to her ear. Her mother slowly puts the phone down on the side table next to her. A tear rolls down her cheek as she drops her head into her hands.
“ That was grandma and grandpa. They called to tell us that yesterday… grandma was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Unfortunately, it was caught too late and is terminal now. They give her about two weeks until it suffocates her. They can't do a surgery because her condition is too fragile.” Her mother says solemnly.
“I want to go see them.” Ashlyn states suddenly.
“Ashlyn you know we can't right now. I have a fashion show in a week and I can't miss it.” Mrs.Slater argues.
Feeling left out of the conversation, Mr.Slater joins in. “ I’m sorry Ashlyn, but your mother is right. If we could, we would, but we just can't right now. We just have to hope that she overcomes this.”
“Then I can go by myself.”Ashlyn calmly states.
“ Ashlyn, you cannot go by yourself. You are 16 years old!” Ashlyn’s face tights as her mother calmly scolds her.
“If I can't go by myself then can I go with Anna-Marie?”
“If Anna-Marie's parents are okay with it then you can go. But I will only let you go on the flight in 10 days.” Her mother reluctantly states.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Ashlyn swiftly ascended the grand staircase feeling overjoyed. As she approaches the top of the stairs, she realizes that she had been sprinting up them. She doubles over in exhaust when she is out of eyeshot of her parents. She walks down the extensive hallway with every step filled with pride. She closes the great doors to her bedroom and lets out an audible screech.
She lays down on her bed when the dark thoughts enter her mind. Maybe her parents were right, she is only 16. A 16 year old cannot fly across the country with her best friend. A 16 year old cannot do anything to make her grandma better. A 16 year old cannot cure cancer. A 16 year old girl cannot save millions of people's lives. It’s just not possible.
As if a ray of sunshine entering an eternal dark land for the first time in 1000 years, her phone screen lit up. The name on the phone was Anna-Marie. Her body jolts upright as pressed the green ‘answer call’ button.
“ Anna-Marie!!”
“Well you sound happy today! What’s going on?” said the recognisable voice on the phone.
“Do you want to fly to Maine with me to see my grandma and grandpa with me before my grandma passes. Sorry for such short notice, but-” “ Of course I want to go with you! Let me go ask my mom, be right back.” And she set down the phone, leaving Ashlyn in a suspenseful silence where every second increased the suspense. One, two, three, four, five. So on and so on until she lost count.
“Ashlyn!” Anna- Marie screamed through the phone,” My mom said yes! What are the dates and times so I can tell her them later.?” “ YAY!! So we are leaving the 26th of December at 12:45 from the LA Airport.
Then we are gonna come back on the 17th of December at 3:00 pm, Maine time, from the Maine International Airport.” “ Okay, I'll tell my mom later. What should I bring?” “ The usual stuff. We are gonna pick you up tomorrow to go shopping for winter clothes at the mall. Bye!!” “ Okay, deal. Bye!!” and with that, they hung up. Like promised, Ashlyn picked up Anna-Marie from her house they next day. They shop for hours to get warm and cute clothes for the Maine winter storms. Ashlyn wakes up on the 26th of December with a pit in her stomach. She does not know why, but she just does. Ignoring her stomach, she finishes packing and getting ready. Walking down the staircase with her luggage in one hand and her phone in the other she tells her mom that she is leaving now. Her mother rushed out of the kitchen and into the living room to hug her daughter. The family said their farewells. Then Ashlyn was out the doors. Walking out to the silver Mercedes felt like walking out of prison. It was like leaving her captivity behind and walking into freedom. It was weird not going to a new place without her mother or father; but it was a nice feeling. Like she was finally becoming an adult. After putting the heavy luggage into the trunk, she walked back to the drivers door and opened it. She climbed in and texted Anna- Marie that she was on her way. She put her hands on the wheel and took a deep breath. In. Out. She lightly pressed her foot to the gas pedal and she was on her way. Driving away from her house with the knowledge that she would not be coming back for over a week felt strange. She soon arrived at Anna-Marie's house. They played their favorite songs with the volume loud, belting out the words like they had written them. When Ashlyn noticed that the pit in her stomach had gotten bigger. Every mile closer made the pit grow ten times bigger. When she finally got to the airport it felt as if she was being stood on by a giant. As if she was drowning, but once again she ignored it, passing it off as nerves. Anna-Marie and Ashlyn walk into the airport feeling out of place. They were surrounded by men and woman wearing suits and ties. Little children hugging their mother's legs and their dads trying to get the tickets from the kiosks. Then there was them, teenagers going to the busy airport preparing to fly across the country to see Ashlyn’s dying grandma. They end up on the plane and sit in their seats. Anna-Marie by the window and Ashlyn by the isle. Luckily, nobody was in the seat in between them. They turn the WIFI on their phones off, and got comfortable for the six hour plane ride they are going to have to sit through. The plane ride was like any other, except for the fact that it was unusually quiet. There were no screaming babies sitting on their worn out mothers laps. No angry businessman yelling at the flight attendants about the WIFI they payed for not working. No cellphones, no announcements, no laughter, nothing. The plane lands safely and the passengers are released is a frenzy. You can hear the phones being turned back on. One phone stands out in the crowd. Bing!
Bing! Bing! It went on and on like someone playing drums. Bing! Bing! Bing! Ashlyn pulls her phone out of her back pocket and glances at it nonchalantly. Her mom was texting her frantically
“Who’s texting you?” Anna-Marie asked.
“ My Mom, she is probably just wondering if we got here safely, you know how moms are.”
They waddle of the plane and take a deep breath of relief. They wander into an open area, then pull out their phones. Anna-Marie texts her mom to tell her that they were back on the ground. Ashlyn calls her mom back.
“ OH… my Ashlyn, my pretty pretty girl!” Her mom screamed “ Its so nice to see you are calling me, I have some news. As you guys were in the air your grandmother… passed away. Go to grandpa so he can take you home. He said he was by the escalators with the little airplane statues. How cute is that?!”
“ No this can't be happening to me. I’ll try to find him as fast as I can. I’ll talk to you later. Bye mom, I love you.”
“ Bye sweetie.”
Ashlyn hangs up the phone and puts it in her pocket as a small tear runs down the side of her cheek.
“ My grandma...passed as we were in the air. We have to get to my Grandpa as soon as possible.”
“I'm so sorry for your loss. Do you remember what luggage carousel the pilot said we were
at?”
“I don't know...ummm...let's go THAT WAY!”
They run through the airport, every step made their hearts beat faster, faster, and faster. Every minute seemed like ten. Every step felt like it was in slow motion.
“ There! There it is! We go to carousel 15!!” Anna-Marie screeches.
They rush over to the carousel and get their bags. When they finally get to relax they notice the chilly breeze running through the area. Ashlyn sees her grandpa from across the airport. She runs over to him and embraces him in a warm hug. It was a familiar feel.
“ I'm so happy to see you again, grandpa!” Ashlyn shouted. “ Ashlyn I'm so glad to see you as well. How have you been?” “ Hi Mr.Slater!!” “ Oh, hello Anna-Marie! Look at how much you've grown!” And he was right. Both of the girls looked much different. Ashlyn's long blonde hair got longer and blonder. Anna-Maries long light brown hair got longer and browner. Ashlyn's big blue-grey eyes got bigger. Anna-Maries green eyes got greener. But oddly enough, as Anna-Marie got taller Ashlyn grew only an inch, but it was part of Ashlyns personality. They both noticed how different Grandpa looked. His grey hairs got greyer and he was still the same height. His eyes were much different though. Like his eyes were melting and were screaming sadness. Then, Ashlyn remembered what happened. “Grandma, how is she doing?” Ashlyn suddenly asked. “I guess you haven't heard yet. She died about an hour before you landed.” “ Yup, I heard and I already miss her. Anyways, let's just try to keep that off our mind for now and get going.” They leave in silence, walking out into the air. Much different than LA air. Maine is a beautiful place. Some plains and some mountains. Lighthouses everywhere, beaconing out into the shimmering oceans, like nothing has happened. Just going along like it always have.
Ashlyns thoughts were rudely interrupted by the light songs of blue birds coming from her mother's phone. Her mother picked up the phone which stopped the songs. Ashlyn can see when her mother picks up the phone the immediate face of dismay. The rcaller and the information on the call, …show more content…
Ashlyn was not sure of. Her mother was fighting back tears as she shakily holds the phone up to her ear. Her mother slowly puts the phone down on the side table next to her. A tear rolls down her cheek as she drops her head into her hands.
“ That was grandma and grandpa. They called to tell us that yesterday… grandma was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Unfortunately, it was caught too late and is terminal now. They give her about two weeks until it suffocates her. They can't do a surgery because her condition is too fragile.” Her mother says solemnly.
“I want to go see them.” Ashlyn states suddenly.
“Ashlyn you know we can't right now. I have a fashion show in a week and I can't miss it.” Mrs.Slater argues.
Feeling left out of the conversation, Mr.Slater joins in. “ I’m sorry Ashlyn, but your mother is right. If we could, we would, but we just can't right now. We just have to hope that she overcomes this.”
“Then I can go by myself.”Ashlyn calmly states.
“ Ashlyn, you cannot go by yourself. You are 16 years old!” Ashlyn’s face tights as her mother calmly scolds her.
“If I can't go by myself then can I go with Anna-Marie?”
“If Anna-Marie's parents are okay with it then you can go. But I will only let you go on the flight in 10 days.” Her mother reluctantly states.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Ashlyn swiftly ascended the grand staircase feeling overjoyed. As she approaches the top of the stairs, she realizes that she had been sprinting up them. She doubles over in exhaust when she is out of eyeshot of her parents. She walks down the extensive hallway with every step filled with pride. She closes the great doors to her bedroom and lets out an audible screech.
She lays down on her bed when the dark thoughts enter her mind. Maybe her parents were right, she is only 16. A 16 year old cannot fly across the country with her best friend. A 16 year old cannot do anything to make her grandma better. A 16 year old cannot cure cancer. A 16 year old girl cannot save millions of people's lives. It’s just not possible.
As if a ray of sunshine entering an eternal dark land for the first time in 1000 years, her phone screen lit up. The name on the phone was Anna-Marie. Her body jolts upright as pressed the green ‘answer call’ button.
“ Anna-Marie!!”
“Well you sound happy today! What’s going on?” said the recognisable voice on the phone.
“Do you want to fly to Maine with me to see my grandma and grandpa with me before my grandma passes. Sorry for such short notice, but-” “ Of course I want to go with you! Let me go ask my mom, be right back.” And she set down the phone, leaving Ashlyn in a suspenseful silence where every second increased the suspense. One, two, three, four, five. So on and so on until she lost count.
“Ashlyn!” Anna- Marie screamed through the phone,” My mom said yes! What are the dates and times so I can tell her them later.?” “ YAY!! So we are leaving the 26th of December at 12:45 from the LA Airport.
Then we are gonna come back on the 17th of December at 3:00 pm, Maine time, from the Maine International Airport.” “ Okay, I'll tell my mom later. What should I bring?” “ The usual stuff. We are gonna pick you up tomorrow to go shopping for winter clothes at the mall. Bye!!” “ Okay, deal. Bye!!” and with that, they hung up. Like promised, Ashlyn picked up Anna-Marie from her house they next day. They shop for hours to get warm and cute clothes for the Maine winter storms. Ashlyn wakes up on the 26th of December with a pit in her stomach. She does not know why, but she just does. Ignoring her stomach, she finishes packing and getting ready. Walking down the staircase with her luggage in one hand and her phone in the other she tells her mom that she is leaving now. Her mother rushed out of the kitchen and into the living room to hug her daughter. The family said their farewells. Then Ashlyn was out the doors. Walking out to the silver Mercedes felt like walking out of prison. It was like leaving her captivity behind and walking into freedom. It was weird not going to a new place without her mother or father; but it was a nice feeling. Like she was finally becoming an adult. After putting the heavy luggage into the trunk, she walked back to the drivers door and opened it. She climbed in and texted Anna- Marie that she was on her way. She put her hands on the wheel and took a deep breath. In. Out. She lightly pressed her foot to the gas pedal and she was on her way. Driving away from her house with the knowledge that she would not be coming back for over a week felt strange. She soon arrived at Anna-Marie's house. They played their favorite songs with the volume loud, belting out the words like they had written them. When Ashlyn noticed that the pit in her stomach had gotten bigger. Every mile closer made the pit grow ten times bigger. When she finally got to the airport it felt as if she was being stood on by a giant. As if she was drowning, but once again she ignored it, passing it off as nerves. Anna-Marie and Ashlyn walk into the airport feeling out of place. They were surrounded by men and woman wearing suits and ties. Little children hugging their mother's legs and their dads trying to get the tickets from the kiosks. Then there was them, teenagers going to the busy airport preparing to fly across the country to see Ashlyn’s dying grandma. They end up on the plane and sit in their seats. Anna-Marie by the window and Ashlyn by the isle. Luckily, nobody was in the seat in between them. They turn the WIFI on their phones off, and got comfortable for the six hour plane ride they are going to have to sit through. The plane ride was like any other, except for the fact that it was unusually quiet. There were no screaming babies sitting on their worn out mothers laps. No angry businessman yelling at the flight attendants about the WIFI they payed for not working. No cellphones, no announcements, no laughter, nothing. The plane lands safely and the passengers are released is a frenzy. You can hear the phones being turned back on. One phone stands out in the crowd. Bing!
Bing! Bing! It went on and on like someone playing drums. Bing! Bing! Bing! Ashlyn pulls her phone out of her back pocket and glances at it nonchalantly. Her mom was texting her frantically
“Who’s texting you?” Anna-Marie asked.
“ My Mom, she is probably just wondering if we got here safely, you know how moms are.”
They waddle of the plane and take a deep breath of relief. They wander into an open area, then pull out their phones. Anna-Marie texts her mom to tell her that they were back on the ground. Ashlyn calls her mom back.
“ OH… my Ashlyn, my pretty pretty girl!” Her mom screamed “ Its so nice to see you are calling me, I have some news. As you guys were in the air your grandmother… passed away. Go to grandpa so he can take you home. He said he was by the escalators with the little airplane statues. How cute is that?!”
“ No this can't be happening to me. I’ll try to find him as fast as I can. I’ll talk to you later. Bye mom, I love you.”
“ Bye sweetie.”
Ashlyn hangs up the phone and puts it in her pocket as a small tear runs down the side of her cheek.
“ My grandma...passed as we were in the air. We have to get to my Grandpa as soon as possible.”
“I'm so sorry for your loss. Do you remember what luggage carousel the pilot said we were
at?”
“I don't know...ummm...let's go THAT WAY!”
They run through the airport, every step made their hearts beat faster, faster, and faster. Every minute seemed like ten. Every step felt like it was in slow motion.
“ There! There it is! We go to carousel 15!!” Anna-Marie screeches.
They rush over to the carousel and get their bags. When they finally get to relax they notice the chilly breeze running through the area. Ashlyn sees her grandpa from across the airport. She runs over to him and embraces him in a warm hug. It was a familiar feel.
“ I'm so happy to see you again, grandpa!” Ashlyn shouted. “ Ashlyn I'm so glad to see you as well. How have you been?” “ Hi Mr.Slater!!” “ Oh, hello Anna-Marie! Look at how much you've grown!” And he was right. Both of the girls looked much different. Ashlyn's long blonde hair got longer and blonder. Anna-Maries long light brown hair got longer and browner. Ashlyn's big blue-grey eyes got bigger. Anna-Maries green eyes got greener. But oddly enough, as Anna-Marie got taller Ashlyn grew only an inch, but it was part of Ashlyns personality. They both noticed how different Grandpa looked. His grey hairs got greyer and he was still the same height. His eyes were much different though. Like his eyes were melting and were screaming sadness. Then, Ashlyn remembered what happened. “Grandma, how is she doing?” Ashlyn suddenly asked. “I guess you haven't heard yet. She died about an hour before you landed.” “ Yup, I heard and I already miss her. Anyways, let's just try to keep that off our mind for now and get going.” They leave in silence, walking out into the air. Much different than LA air. Maine is a beautiful place. Some plains and some mountains. Lighthouses everywhere, beaconing out into the shimmering oceans, like nothing has happened. Just going along like it always have.