Volume 1: Twelve Years Was A Long Time (1)

VOLUME 1: TWELVE YEARS WAS A LONG TIME

 

CHAPTER 1: LIFE SO FAR ACCORDING TO ALYCE SNÖ

 

 All our life so far, as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits”

 

Have you ever thought that your life could’ve been different? That somehow in the very whims of fate, we could actually live rather than worry about not dying? A life where you’ll have a home to warm your cold wandering heart, a family to welcome you with the most bone-crushing hugs and most of all, be always told that you are loved. In short, a better life.

 Now, would you believe? 

Of course if you do, then you must be having a nice time of having your head in the clouds for so long.  I believe in this world, life favors the practical ones while fate? Fate is better left as a juvenile sense of entertainment. I mean, let’s face it, the world doesn’t give a sh*t (I mean, a second thought) if you trip, catch on fire or just be left alone to fend for yourself for the rest of your life. Everything in this world is moving in time and it doesn’t stop for anyone. So why waste my high school life indulging to parties, prom, dances and the typical high school dramas? I had so much better use of my time.

 Aside from the teenage shenanigans people my age are accustomed to do, I prefer to read books that made sense and yes, I’m into the habit of studying actual lessons from AP classes in school. My motto could be translated as “Study. School. Work. Success” - although it depends on how you understand it. Also, I might’ve had been called at times with the occasional names such as: “nerd”, “overachiever”, “teacher’s pet” and “stick in the mud”. I’m proud of the last one. I’m weird, right?

 However, that doesn’t concern me at all. So far, my only priority is school. Of course, as a - make that - the only scholarship student of a prestigious school for the wealthy and noble-bred, it is a requirement for me to maintain the top spot in academics as of my entire year level if I want to continue studying there. And, I do want to study and complete my high school education �" particularly in that school. After all, Die Brucke Academy is the stepping stone for every student - especially for a common class citizen like me - if we were to be accepted by any Ivy League university, graduate and be able to venture ourselves into the world. That’s the dream I have. It’s the life I want to make.

 So, what else to say? What’s left for me to think about? 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. My name’s Alyce (pronounced as “Alice”) Snö (pronounced as “snow”) but my family and friends - make that my deceased mother, the people I work with and Brenda, our thirty-something neighbor and my best friend - who only calls me Ali because Alyce  seems to be a mouthful to say or something.  I’m sixteen and I live by myself in a tiny studio apartment in the city. I go to Die Brucke Academy and seem to be the only one who commutes through subways and bus stops.  Every day, I struggle to catch a bus and ride towards the very edge between the city and the burbs in order to obtain my education. I’m the current holder of the first place in school in terms of academics - as stipulated in my scholarship agreement. As for being the nerd and the school charity, I happen to be barely bullied. In fact, I’m athletically adept and I also happen get along well with everybody I work with. It’s just that I prefer to be left alone and study that might’ve let to some ‘misunderstandings’.  That or because I’m just too ordinarily common and poor to be bothered with.

 

Anyways, my goal in life is to be an architect and build beautiful structures of art like the ones from the pictures in one of my mom’s travels.  For now, I content myself in working part-time as a waitress to save money and pay the bills. I take some after-school defense lessons from one of my neighbors as a necessity and I spend the rest of my weekends comparing sales in supermarkets on which one has cheaper products I could buy with my small almost non-existent budget.

  So, that’s it. I guess, so far, that’s most of the life I led.  

 “Order up!” Ding!

 Oh yeah. I almost forgot, I was supposed to be on duty.

 

I snapped at the sound of the bell from the kitchen window and made quick strides towards it.  I took the ordered meal, thankful that work didn’t seem to waver from my momentary distraction. I shook my head at the thought again.

 I chastised myself as I reached the table of the family I had stared at for more than the normal time.

 “Here you go: one steak with mashed potatoes, one berry cobbler meal and a junior Knickerbocker. Is there anything else I could get you?” I politely asked, my feet aching to go home and rest. I covered it up with a smile on my face.

 The man, obviously the father, smiled and shook his head indicating me to take my leave. I slumped on the cashier counter and watched as the clock lazily moves its hand.

 Come oooooon ( was it me imagining the sound of marching band accompaniment?)…..  Suddenly a figure appeared and blocked my view of the time.

 “Staring won’t make the clock move faster, sweetie.”

Marta, the manager, commented at my attentive outlook at the clock.

 I turned to her sheepishly  and rearranged the menus on the countertop.

 “I know, I know. You don’t have to tell me.” I sighed.

 "You do know, Phil won’t mind if you take off a minute before your usual leave.”

 “Yeah, but I don’t think it’s fair to leave you all short on staff.” God knows, we’ve already been since last week.

 “What’s fair is you taking an early leave. Go home and get some rest. You’ve been working that little butt off for the last week without any break.”

I was going to reason with her when she spoke first. 

“No buts. I already talked to Phil for you and he couldn’t agree more. So you better haul yourself off before I do it for you. “

I looked at her kind round face with her wide smile on her mocha-colored complexion and hugged her.

 “Thank you, Marta! I owe you one.” I truly did.

 I quickly leaned across the counter and took my bag from the chair.

 “I’m off!” I enthusiastically greeted my fellow staff.

 

“Bye, Ali!”

“Take care!”

“Be Careful!”

 They all responded, especially Phil, the chef who chuckled at my relentlessly active attitude. He was also, coincidentally, the owner who had built this fine establishment. He took me in almost a year ago when he found out I lost my mom and had to look out for myself. He introduced me to Marta, the cashier; Cindy, and the waiting staff: Rob, Mavis and Willy. Together, we were sort-of a family.  I consider them as one of my very, very few friends.

 I untied my apron, a part of my uniform, and hung it at the coat racket beside the door before exiting.  A cool nightly breeze flew at me as I walked along the streets towards my apartment. I took out my keys and opened the door. It gave a tiny creak as I closed it. I climbed my way to the stairs and into the fourth floor. I barely got to my door when I heard Brenda from the stairs with a very male companion. I quickly got inside my apartment, not wanting to disturb her in her ‘quest for love’ - or so she calls to every guy she spends the night with.  I know, quite the role model, right?

 A loud bark echoed throughout the room as I watched Pooka trotted around me with the usual silly smile on his scruffy little face. He yapped at my long-used Converse sneakers, indicating that I had been outside for too long.  Aww, for a dog, he misses me so easily. As a sign of affection, I bent down and tickled his chin.

 “I’m home, Pooka.” I whispered softly and stood up again.

 I stripped my clothes off, grabbed my robe and went in for a hot shower. When I got out, I put on an oversized sweater and some boxer shorts, feeling rather free from my usual t-shirt and jeans. I slipped on my fluffy slippers and went back into the den.

 Not having much care for anything right now except for a well-earned rest and my dog, I set my bag on the floor and made my path to my most favorite thing in the den, my couch. I stopped by my coffee table, seeing the mail Brenda must’ve carried for me. I silently thanked her.  I plopped myself down on the couch, my feet on the table with a blanket covering them as Pooka eagerly rested on my lap.

 God, thank you for creating Sunday.  Ever since summer started, I had occupied my time between studying and working full-time jobs in Knickerbocker’s. In case you didn’t know, it’s the name of the diner. Moreover, its specialty is serving New York’s finest and popular meals with the Knickerbocker (a big juicy burger) as its bestseller. And, as a short trivia, the term ‘Knickerbocker’ or “Knikkerbakker’ traces back to the early Dutch settlers of the New World - or also known as North America - where they settled in no other than the present New York city.

 Okay, back to my story. Where were we? Oh yeah. Pooka was nuzzling on the frayed threads of my blanket as I sorted through my mail. Let’s see… Bills… Bills…Bills…Child Services…Bills -

 Wait, what?!

 I reached for the sheet of envelope that seemed to have fallen off. With a slow-like movement, my hands opened the envelope and took out the paper inside. Slowly, I read the letter.

 

 

 

 Dear Ms. Alyce Snö,

 

The court had taken into consideration your application for emancipation. Furthermore, the court had looked into your files, recent relocations and your petition to be taken in by a Brenda Pajek. We had also found your father and informed him of your current situation. On the second page, a date and location had been scheduled for you two to meet which would be found in a piece of paper along with a form for your father to sign if ever he agrees to withdraw his paternal rights for you.

 

           Sincerely,

     Ms. Jeanette Pruitt-Privy   ​​                                                                                     U. S. Child Services​

 

 

I flipped the pages and stopped at the last one. Finally, I’ve been waiting for this since last year. Back when I was in the danger of being taken to a foster home, I was given no choice but to ask for emancipation. That way, I could continue living by myself without any help - especially from him. The department wouldn’t have allowed it unless I do follow into the system for the meantime. Luckily, Brenda was there to act as temporary guardian.  What’s more? In truth, I was even surprised that they actually found him. My own father. The last time I’ve seen him was twelve years ago. It was a sign for me to finish this more quickly than ever.

 I read at the note and made a quick double-take. The date was on June 15. I looked at my calendar. Today was the 14th. Which means, tomorrow … I strongly shook my head. I groaned in frustration. I looked at both dates again and groaned. To think, ten years of no communication and here I am meeting my estranged dad again.  

Why? Why? WHY?!

 It’s not bad enough that it was tomorrow. No, the date had to fall on Father’s Day.

 Is this supposed to be a cosmic joke?

Was I supposed to learn from this?

Am I even ready? 

I took a deep breath. Might as well suck it and get over it. Who knows, from the way he left I bet he might even forget tomorrow’s Father’s Day. 

Now I really need some sleep.

 “C’mon Pooka, it’s a big day ahead for the both of us.”  

Pooka only yipped as we both went to my bed and I slipped into my death-like slumber.

…..

 

The Next Day…

  

Knock. Knock. Knock.

 

God, what’s with that loud pounding in my head?

 I yawned and snuggled deeper under my pillows.

 Knock. Knock. Knock.

 God, what the eff?

 I stirred into my semi-consciousness and realized the heavy pounding was coming from my door. I huffed in annoyance. Why couldn’t the person just use the doorbell like a normal person? Oh, wait. I don’t have a doorbell.

 I sighed, grudgingly getting up from my bed and walked across the living room. I sluggishly reached the door. It could be Brenda crying over to me like any other morning when she finds out that every love-of-her-life had left her the next day. I grimaced. If she wasn’t my best friend, I swear I wouldn’t have bothered with her crazy romantic escapades.

 “Just a sec.” I croaked and opened the door.

 I yawned loudly, my hand covering my mouth as I focused my blurry-eyed gaze at the tall, lean and handsome figure outside my door.

 “Geez, Bren. You know you could’ve just used your own key.” I grumbled.

 I frowned, still disoriented from the traces of sleep in my mind.

 “You’re not Brenda.”  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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