Home again (finally)

“Okay class," Amy's teacher said, "Heads up, pencils down."

This was the boarding school in the city that Amy's dad had sent her to. He sent her a few years back after she drove his car into the creek across the street. It had only been an accident, but because of her dad's short temper, going to a boarding school was probably better for her than staying home. Home. Oh, how she longed to be home on her farm. The smell of daisies in the air. The feeling of freedom. The thing that she loved most was the hazelnut tree deep in the forest where she would read for hours, trying to get rid of the memories of her harsh father.

"I hate math," she whispered under her breath. It had never been her favorite subject. In the end, she scored 68%, but she didn't care. Today was the last day of boarding school. The last day of longing for home. Amy was going home.

"Taxi!" she called as the yellow car pulled up. The driver was young, and looked like he had just gotten his license, but she didn't think too much of it

"Where you headed, hon?" The driver said in a raspy voice.

"Albany." Amy replied, trying not to make eye contact.

"That'll be $30"

"Thanks." Amy was trying to get herself together. Was she really about to get into the taxi car with this terrible driver for $30? "Get a grip Amy," She thought to herself, "This is the only way to get home."

On the ride home, she noticed the driver had shaky hands. He was not okay. This was bad. Then, it seemed like time stopped. The taxi was racing towards a Honda. Neither car slowed. Then, it went dark.

Amy woke up the next day. She seemed to be hooked up to several tubes forcing some sort of liquid in her arms. There was a nurse bringing her a tray of food with what seemed to be peas and mashed potatoes. One of Amy's legs was held up by some cloth. Had she broken it? It was bruised and purple.

"W... Where am I?" Amy asked rubbing her bruised head

"You took a nasty fall," the nurse answered, "You are in good hands now. The name's Sue, and you're...... Amy."

"Correct. What happened to me?"

"Well, your taxi driver was driving with a fake license, so he was arrested. Oh you, yes, you pretty much blacked out and the force of the car sent you flying in your seat. Thank goodness you had your seat belt on or you could've died."

"Oh," Amy replied, trying not to let her fear show, "When can I go home?"

"Maybe in a week, but we'll see."

Amy's heart sank

"Oh, okay."

Sue left and Amy took this as an opportunity to cry. Thoughts raced through her mind. "This can't be happening. I can't believe I trusted that driver with my life. I just want to go home."

She woke up the next morning to a breakfast of bacon and eggs.

"You slept well. You have some visitors today." Sue said.

"Visitors? Who?" Amy asked, puzzled.

"Martha and Dan somebody."

Amy's heart stopped. Dan. Martha. Amy's parents. Her abusive father. Her quiet mother. The people who sent her to the city in the first place. The reason she couldn't be home now. She wanted nothing to do with them. She never wanted to see their faces again.

*********

It was 2:00. visiting time. Her parents came in through the door.

"Are you okay? Will she be okay?" Amy's dad asked

"I'm fine." Amy mumbled.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you, I-" Amy cut him off.

"Oh, shut up. Quit the stupid act. You never care about me!" Amy felt tears running down her cheeks.

"Young lady, I do not like your tone of voice," He turned to Sue, "Are there any side effects of anger, doc?"

Amy interrupted Sue before she could answer.

"No, there are no side effects of anger. This is all me. Your "problem" that was sent away into the city for boarding school."

Her father's voice got stern, the way it did when he got angry at Amy.

"I said, I do not like your tone of voice! All I have ever done was help you when-"

"Help me? You think you were helping me when you sent me to that school away from my favorite place in the world? You abuse me! I hate you!"

Her father left the hospital in anger because he knew he couldn't beat her here.

"W.....was all of that true? Sue asked with a concerned look on her face.

"You think I would make that up?" Amy said, still having anger inside her.

"Well, in that case, somebody will need to pick you up and take you to a new home.

"A....a new h.. home?" Amy had never thought she would truly lose her home.

"Come to think of it, if you don't mind, I could be that somebody."

"But I love my home. My reading spot. The smell of daisies each morning. I love you, but what environment do you even live in?"

"I actually live on the edge of the city. It's not going to be just like your home, but it will be close to the same thing. There are a few miles of woods, a creek, and even a big climbing tree with a rope swing. I think that this could work."

"I....I guess it can't be so bad."

*********

A week went by in a blur, and Amy was released from the hospital today. The drive to her new home was bittersweet, but she would be okay.

The small house was warm and inviting. The smell of cinnamon filled the halls. She had her own room next to the kitchen so that every morning she could smell breakfast. But the best part of her new home, was the peaceful woods. Oh, and her new dog, Sammy.

"So, how do you feel?" Sue asked.

"Good. It's good to have a home again."