Angie - A Short Story

Robsweezie

Angie longed for a better life. And it showed in the angst ridden face staring back at her, as she looked in the mirror on that cold summer's night.

It was almost bitterly cold outside, almost as cold as the blood that ran through Angie's veins as she sat pondering her decision. Her bag was packed, ready to be draped upon her shoulder on her imminent exit.

Angie was about to leave behind what she knew, in pursuit of a new adventure. For some time she had dreamed of travelling to various parts of the world, and Spain was first on her list. She had mustered up just enough money for a ticket to the Spanish islands through a dead end job at the local supermarket that her mother made her do. She didn't like her mother, and never knew her father.

At sixteen years old, with a tall frame and thick brown hair, complimented by clear blue eyes, Angie looked older than her years. And she felt as such. She had a tough time of it recently, having lost her job and had a blazing row with her mother, signalling the end of any real sense of hope. She had to flee, and now was her chance.

Her mother lay asleep in the upstairs bedroom. ''At this stage, she probably wouldn't care if I left'', Angie mused to herself.

The clock was ticking. Angie looked around at her soon-to-be former home, old and decrepit with manky wall paper and mouldy furniture. And not one single picture of her to be seen anywhere, as any proud parent would display their children's pictures in their home. This was not home.

Angie made final arrangements for a taxi to come and take her to the airport, her hands sweating and phone slipping from her hands. The phone crashed to the ground with a loud thud. It was broken beyond repair. After several attempts to fix it, Angie cursed and swore at her predicament, trying in vain not to wake her mother.

Thoughts of the future and other prospects flooded her mind. Was she doing the right thing? Would she survive in Spain? Would it truly be the start of something amazing for her?

Time stood still for a moment until the taxi lights penetrated the front window and startled Angie.

Angie stalled for a few seconds. Maybe she wasn't ready. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she should stay and try to fix things with her mother.

But these thoughts of reconciling quickly subsided. Too much water under the bridge. There was no going back. Her mother would be happier without her and vice versa. This was for the best.

Angie never thought this day would come. Her chance to start afresh in a country she adored so much. Spain was her spiritual home. It was the only subject she excelled in at school, she was fluent in Spanish. And she would use this to her advantage. She would work in bars, clubs and restaurants to earn a wage once she was there, and would hopefully make new friends in the process.

The beeping taxi startled her again suddenly. Enough talking. Time for action. Time to leave.

Angie paced towards the door and clutched her bag. Nothing was keeping her here any longer. Except for her mother, who was perched over the bannister watching her estranged daughter about to walk out of her life for good. She had been awake for a short while, having heard the commotion of the smashed phone.

As Angie's hand gripped the handle, her mother bounded down the stairs, stopping half way. ''Angie'', she said in a worried tone. Angie turned to face her mother and froze. In that moment their eyes locked on each other, both of them unsure of what to say.

There was nothing that could really be said. Angie's face said a thousand words. However, she managed one final address to her mother.

''Don't'' Angie uttered. Her mother's heart sank.

And with that, Angie was gone. She closed the door behind her and marched into the crisp which greeted air outside. The taxi man was pleased to see her after much waiting.

Back inside the dark, dingy house, Angie's mother dragged her heels back up the stairs and into bed, a tear crept across her face. She was alone in the dead of night with nothing to console her but memories of happier times with her daughter.

The taxi pulled out of the house and drove into the night, Angie felt a bittersweet sensation. It was to be the start of the rest of her life. Adios...