One

The day started out with the buzz of the alarm. 6:30 on the dot. I hit the snooze bar. My intentions for the day were to be productive but, I dozed off again. No better way to start of the day than with a little procrastination. I could smell the burnt toast my mother made. "It's the most important meal of the day, Ethel" momma always said. If only it could be a bit more appetizing. The alarm went off again. I roll over and put my feet on the ground. It was hot. Well more humid really. Definitely putting my hair up today. Sitting up I see the unpacked boxes all over my room. Moving in was rough. I hate having to put my whole life in a box and then take it all back out somewhere new. At least the Castle Apartments are nice. Well nicer than our last place. We have a view now. Sort of. Living on the fourth floor I can see to Sherwood Park. I haven't been yet. It looks a bit dingy. Maybe I'll take Edith later today

But first I need to go apply for that job at the grocery store. Our new neighbor said they were always hiring teenagers over there. I start to walk out the door when dad yells "Where are you going?"

"To get a job"

"Not before you finish unpacking"

"I'm done"

"You sure about that, Ethel?"

"Yep"

"Then I can clear out those boxes?"

"Well about those..."

"Get it done Ethel"

Back to the bedroom to tackle the boxes. Monster, our fat cat, fell asleep on the box with all my books in it. I guess I'll start with my clothes then. Edith comes in to help me. Or at least help the only way 10 year olds know- she's mostly doing some personal shopping in my closet. She startes babbling and asking questions.

"Why haven't you taken all your stuff out yet?"

"I dunno"

"Do you like living out of a box?"

"You've been around mom way too long Edith."

"Well what else is there to do?"

"Do you want to go to the park later?"

"I already went with mom."

"Good then you can show me around. But first let's finish getting all this junk out"

We finished unpacking. Well three boxes anyway. That's some progress made. Only two more to go. "I think that's good enough" Edith sighs. We start to walk out the door again.

"Where are you going?" Dad again. He was reading the newspaper and drinking a coffee. Lots of cream, but no sugar. I'm the exact opposite.

"To the park. We're almost done. We just need a little break from the boxes. We'll be at the park if you need us."

"What happened to that job?"

"I'll go later"

And with that dad gave a shrug of his big shoulders and turned back to the paper while we shut the sticky door of our new apartment and started out toward Sherwood Park