All Chapters of Jaded: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

KariKari slipped in and out of sleep as they drove to the restaurant, the homely pub a favorite of most New Yorkers. It was nestled into one of the suburban strip centers, the owner a little old Asian couple who made the best cheeseburgers known to man. Kari smiled at the thought of the two of them. Their story was a perfect analogy to the American ideal that you could do anything you wanted - opinions be damned. The car stopped and Kari sat up, stretching and leaning up between the seats where her two friends were arguing over something."I seriously think it would be best to have all the walls the same color. I don't think the house would look right to have ten different colors as you walk through it. It will look like a Mickey Mouse Playhouse,." Sicily growled, reaching up to adjust the hot air vent toward herself."I like Mickey Mouse," Kari added in, reaching up to turn the radio volume down so she could participate in whatever was going on in the front seat."See? Mickey Mouse

Kari Fitful dreams had plagued her all night, the scene before her filled with Frank and his unfaithfulness. She woke up emotional and crabby, the smell of bacon helping a little. She slipped out of the extra bedroom, the house packed into boxes all around her. Someone was humming something, and as she moved into the kitchen, the sight of her little brother working on breakfast caused her heart to swell.He was player - a turd - but he was hers and she would forever love him. She would be the one to make sure he finally got somewhere in life, and when their parents were gone, she would be the one to remind him that he would eventually get it together and that he was worth more than gold no matter who he became.She leaned against the doorframe, her white robe wrapped tightly around her as she watched him enjoy himself. He was simplistic and deserved a good woman who would expect very little and yet receive so much. Her eyes filled with tears, a smile playing on her lips as he danced

KariKari spent the next two hours in idle chat with Sicily, the topic of their families, their upbringing, and the sharing of a few dreams came up. An hour outside of Bar Harbor they hit traffic, but the scenery around them shifted drastically. Kari rolled down her window, her eyes scanning the beautiful villages and stretches of bare trees with small white buds on them."This is beautiful. It almost looks like a picture of the country," Kari murmured.Sicily breathed in loudly and let the air out in a long sigh. "Can you smell the water? The ocean is close and the saltiness of it makes me hungry."Kari turned to look at her. "Oh no. We didn't have lunch, did we?"Sicily held up an empty bag of Cheetos. "Not sure about you, but I had the lunch of champions."Kari laughed and stretched, rolling up the window and looking out the front of the car as the sun sat heavy on the far side of the sky. "Do you think we're setting ourselves up for failure by wanting this place to be everything w

KariKari got into the driver’s side and buckled up, a smirk on her lips as Lisa and Marc started to work on the back of the U-Haul. "I think we got the easy end of the deal this time."Sicily got in and laughed. "No shit. Although, if we get back and nothing has been moved out of that U-Haul, they totally got it on."Kari groaned. "Ewww... Come on, man. That's my baby brother.""Your playboy baby brother." Sicily shook her head and pointed down the road. "I'm pretty sure I remember there being a small grocery store right beside that junior high we stopped in front of earlier.""Great. I love your cooking and it's been too long.""Do you love the house? You good with your room and all?" Sicily turned toward Kari, her voice soft and caring.Kari nodded. "Oh yeah. I love it. The room seems to be the best in the house though. You guys didn't have to do that. I'll pay extra on the rent or something.""No, silly. We did that to remind you that you're loved. I'm so sorry about the reason yo

Kari"Hello? Anyone here?" Kari took a few tentative steps into the hall and lifted her voice a little more. The sound of a door opening far down the hall caused her to pause. Taking a few steps back, she pulled her purse in front of her, almost hugging it absently."I'm here, I'm here... keep your panties on," a female voice rushed up to greet Kari, the large, red-headed woman it belonged to quickly following. She looked up and smiled, waving at Kari.Kari walked toward her, her hand extended. "Sorry. I didn't know if I should come back or not.""No worries, child. I'm Martha Wittington. You must be Kari?"Kari nodded, finally making it to the woman and shaking her thick hand. "Yes, ma'am. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice."The woman turned and motioned for Kari to follow her. "Oh, nonsense. I've been looking for someone with your skills for almost two years now. You'd think being up here in the most beautiful part of the country would afford you a good photographer, b