Chapter 1



Whatever! was all I could say to my mother as she enthusiastically retold me that we would be moving during Spring Break of my sophomore year. I wanted to scream and yell, but I knew it was pointless. So many parents dont care that young people have substantial opinions. They seem to just expect us to tag along like cute little puppies adoring them and sitting on the sideline patiently waiting for their attention. My mom wasnt any different from other parents. She ignored my protests. She constantly informed me that I would thank her later when I was older and understood adult stuff. I think that kind of logic was used as excuses, so she wouldnt have to answer the tough questions.

I wanted to know why we had to move. Why couldnt we wait until the end of the year? It didnt make sense to transfer to a new school with three months of school to go. Wasnt she thinking how hard it would be for me to leave my home, friends, and start at a new school? I would never make friends at the end of the year. I hated this situation, and right now I hated her, which meant that we had a number of conversations that werent very pleasant.

I deserve to be happy, my mother expressed as she slammed the cupboard closed. She slumped down in front of me, looked directly in my eyes, and then proceeded to inform me that she was the adult and that she had provided me with clothing, a roof over my head, and that I should be appreciative.

Yippee! I yelled as I threw up my arms like I was on a roller coaster ride.

You have no right to have an attitude, and dont talk to me like that! She stated angrily as she stood up and stomped out of the room. I could hear her feet pounding on the stairs as she went to her room. Then I heard the usual sound of the door slamming.

Yeah, now whos the adult in the house again? I yelled to the ceiling, but there was no response. Mom was great when it came to the silent treatment. I laid my head on the table, gritted my teeth together out of anger and kept reminding myself that my mom had only temporarily lost her mind and it wouldnt work out anyway.

All my life it seemed like it was my job to take care of her. Over the years, she repeatedly made the same really bad decisions. First of all, she has quit a number of jobs because she said, I felt like it. Then secondly, she liked to move around a lot, which meant that I had to change schools often. We had actually stayed here in Las Vegas, Nevada, for three years, so this has been the only real home I have ever known. Finally, my mom cant seem to stay married long enough for me to get to know the guy. I would be happy if my mom would obtain a little common sense and realize this is just one more bad decision to add to the list.

To add to the confusion, she has also chosen another husband. Yes! Another husband! This is her third quickie marriage. What ever happened to long engagements? My mother wouldnt answer the question, so I was stuck with a step-dad and in the middle of a move that I had no control over.



Chapter 4



After my mom and Frank had their one-night honeymoon, Mom came back and informed me that there would be a family meeting, and I needed to come into the living room.

A what? I asked as I pulled off my headphones.

A family meeting. She repeated as I sat up on my bed and looked at her like she was insane.

Dont give me that look, Tamara, and get downstairs. Her parental tone made me nauseous and I went to put my headphones back on, but she kept pestering me.

Come on Tamara. Lets just try it, O.K.? She tried to use a softer tone that she knew would get me to give in.

Oh! All right! Lets get it over with. I tried to sound as uninterested as possible and stomped my way down the stairs with arms crossed and a scowl on my face.

As the meeting came to order, Frank and Mom sat down on the couch next to each other, and I sat in the rocking chair across from them.

As you know Tamara, we want to move, my mom said sounding excited. When I did not respond she continued. Well, Frank had been offered a job and it was official. She waited for my response, but I just shook my head.

It is a great place to raise children, Frank added.

I am not a child, I said defensively.

He didnt mean you, honey. We are planning to have more children, my mom informed me as she looked longingly at Frank and grabbed his hand. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. I was getting angrier because they hadnt even asked me what I wanted. Seeing them like this was the last straw. I erupted into a fit of sobs and uncontrollable yelling.

Why do I have to move? I hiccupped and tried to control my breathing. My mother then tried to come over and put her arm around my shoulders, but I quickly stood up because right now she was the enemy.

You are old enough to accept change, Tamara! Frank interjected as he glared at me with his crystal blue eyes. He had that gain control of this situation expression on his face. I wasnt about to let him get it. I looked directly at him and rolled my eyes, then turned my body away from him. I tried to keep my head, but listening to them made me defensive because they were ganging up on me.

You are not my father, I yelled through clenched teeth and placed my hands on my hips.