Frightmare Mansion - Chapter 1

It's mid morning on a Saturday in late September, we just drove past a sign that read, "Welcome to Red Grove, California, population 550,00," it's a small town compared the big city where I grew up in - Detroit Michigan. At the wheel, my mom, Jenny Duncan, she's thirty-eight years old now, yup she's getting up there. I'm not saying she's ready for the rest home or anything, but maybe her best years are behind her now. She gets mad at me every time I tell her that. It took me a few months to just convince her to update her hair style. I actually got her to get some highlights in her dark brown hair, and have it styled it in a sassy bob cut. Now she really rocks!

But despite the updated hair style, she still insists on dressing in her awful tired old business outfits. I tell her she looks like a stiff old Realtor, but that hasn't stopped her from dressing that way. She's always going on about looking professional, but she's a really good photographer and should dress more casual and cool. But she doesn't listen to me, because I'm her baby, she has to understand I'm grown up now.

I'm just waiting for when she starts wearing a name tag. Oh my God! That's how you know someone is getting old- when they get stuck in their old ways.

I'm Skylar, her daughter, my hair is long, parted in the middle, it comes down just past the middle of my back. Dark brown just like Moms. I take very good care of it by keeping it brushed and shiny because I believe it is what defines me as an individual. I've always gotten compliments on it from everyone I meet - especially the boys! Mom wants to cut it, but I say no way. I've had it this way since I was 10. I know I sound like a hypocrite because I won't cut my hair short, but that's different, I'm not old.

But don't get me wrong, I know I'm creeping that way. In fact, I just turned 18 yesterday, I'm 5 feet 8 inches now. I've got Mom by about 3 inches, she's the shorty now. She doesn't like it when I tease her by passing my hand over her head all the time. It also feels kinda funny when I talk to her face to face because I'm looking down at her now. I guess I'm not her baby anymore. Kind of sad when I think about that some times.

Anyhow, I'm really pissed off about my birthday being blown off yesterday. Mom did nothing special for me! Certainly not a Birthday party - no time for that of course. Not even a damn present for that matter. Okay, so maybe you would have thought at least a darn birthday card - nope, not that either- that really sucks.

Her excuse - "We're in the middle of moving and we had to get everything packed for the movers, once we got settled in our new home, I'll make a little party for you later," she said. Well, what's the freaking point, your birthday means you were born on that date! That's what makes the day special! That's why you celebrate it on that day! I mean that's the way I look at it - right?

I told her that hitting 18 is a milestone, entering adulthood for God's sake, something I will always cherish for the rest of my life. So what did I get? She bought me a Twinkie on the way over here, - oh, let's not forget she sang me Happy Birthday too, big sucking deal! Not even a freaking candle on it! This all happened because of all of the stuff that's been going on in our lives right now.

You see, my Dad passed away from cancer six months ago and we're all still messed up emotionally about it. I really miss Dad, and sometimes I still can't believe he's gone. My eyes water every time I think about him. I still expect him to poke his head into my room to say goodnight like he did every night. Mom wanted to get away and move on with her life. I don't blame her, but there should be a mourning period for God's sake. At least a year, and I think this moving business is way to extreme.

On top of my Birthday being screwed up, I was suppose to be graduating with my friends this year, but now that's down the crapper too. I already know I'm not going to like it here with absolutely no friends. On top of being the new kid in school, it's going to be a pure living Hell. Okay, we've just turned down this street - what the-? There's nothing but old houses on this block.

I'm talking the turn of the century for sure. This is not looking good at all! Oh crap, it seems the further along we drive, the dumpier the houses get. We are now on to the second block and I see one really big house coming up and it's the biggest eyesore of the neighbourhood. If that's even possible, and I'm being kind. Oh hell no, we're starting to slow down! Oh no please, not this one!

Mom says excitedly, "Close your eyes, I want this to be a total surprise!"
"Oh, I'm surprised already," telegraphing my grumpy mood. Look at her, she's so excited - like it's her freaking Birthday. I'll just be a good sport and just close my eyes and hope this nightmare will go away. The car brakes squeak as we slow and turn left, and I feel the sensation of turning up to a driveway.
"You can open your eyes now, there's no place like home!" Mom says like the good fairy in the Wizard of Oz.
So I slowly open my eyes hoping to see Munchkin land. Instead it's the same biggest horror house ever! Oh please - please - please go away! I rub my eyes a bit - nope it's still there. I think I can feel some tears flowing out now. Maybe if I start balling like I was 6 years old, she'll turn this car around and get me the hell out of here. We come to a stop on this cracked and potholed weed infested driveway. Now she's turning off the engine, so there's no way she's going to back out saying we're just making a U turn.

I shudder to realize we've just parked on the driveway of the freaking Munster residence, but way bigger! I wonder if this is 1313 Mockingbird Lane? If Herman Munster walks out of that door, that's it, I'm out of here!

Mom turns to me with that giant smile that always spells trouble, she leans on the steering wheel all excited, "Surprise! Our new home, don't you just love it! It's a large two story Victorian style house. Well, what do you think?"
Nothing comes out of me but silence, as I'm completely lost for words. Because this severely dilapidated old house is now our new home. All the way over here she kept saying this is my "Birthday Surprise!" I'm more in shock than anything else. This can't be happening!

Yup, she's noticing the ends of my brow shift downward. She's reading the bitter disappointment written all over my face. Right now, I'm trying so very hard not to make a rude comment. I don't want to hurt Mom's feelings, she's so happy with this dump.

"Honey, just envision what I see. Think of this as a diamond in the rough. A caterpillar that will soon turn into a beautiful butterfly."
"Okay Mom, you're pushing it."
"I promise you, after all of the cosmetics are done, this place will look completely different."
Just look at the smile spread out on her face. She is trying so hard to convince me I'm not in a nightmare. But I haven't seen her this happy in a long time. Not since before Dad got sick. Okay, maybe I should try and be fair about this - put some effort into it. I mean it's not the end of the world is it?

Chapter 2 https://steemit.com/fiction/@magik4283/5gmg5h-frightmare-mansion