Chapter 5

                                    

                                          
As the five of us played Texas Hold 'Em I discovered I was actually having a good time. That was a first for me. The guys were telling us stories of life on the road which made Miranda and I kind of nervous. We weren't used to not showering for weeks on end and I was starting to doubt if we'd actually be able to make it!
                          
This game came down to Shawn and myself, which I think suprised all of us since this was only the second game I'd ever played, and he eyed me suspiciously.... in a playful way. All the bets were in and the last card had been turned up. It was Shawn's turn to be and he pushed all in. With a blank face and staring at the bearded man I pushed all my chips in. He smirked at me until I turned my cards over. He had a flush while I got what was an Ace-high straight flush. From what Corey explained that was quite a hard hand to get!
                          
"Son of a.......!" Shawn exclaimed, throwing his cards down
                          
"Sorry." I stated, trying not to laugh
                          
"That was a helluva hand. No need to apologize." Shawn replied, giving me a warm smile
                          
"Are you sure you've never played Hold 'Em before?" James questioned, amusement dancing in his dark eyes
                          
"I'm sure." I retorted defensively
                          
My cell started ringing so I excused myself from the group to go answer it. Father's name was flashing on my caller ID.
                          
"Hello Father." I replied
                          
"Hello Savannah. Your mother and I were just informed that this is a year long project." He stated, getting right down to business
                          
"Yes it is. Will that be a problem for you and Mother?" I questioned
                          
"Not at all. We're sending Dominick to stay with your Grandparents until you return." He replied
                          
"Until I return? I don't understand, Father." I stated
                          
"Your Mother and I will be indisposed until about 4 months after you return. You'll be taking care of him until our return." He explained
                          
"Oh, ok." Was all I could really say
                          
"The house will be maintained during your absence and after your return. All you will have to do is look after Dominick." Father went on to explain
                          
"I see. Will I have any other responsibilities, Father?" I questioned
                          
"I don't believe so but if things change you will be notified as soon as possible. I have to go now. Take care, Savannah." He said befor he hung up without so much as telling me he loves me or giving me the chance to reply
                          
Sitting on the couch in the back lounge where I had gone to take this call I sighed. So they're going to be gone the whole time I'm gone and leaving their 1 year old son with his Grandparents for the whole year. On top of that I'm expected to look after him when I return and not only keep my status in the top 5 in the school but look after him as well. This is just another way for them to control my life! I sighed again and laid down on my right side and closed my eyes.
                          
I was woken up by someone gently shaking my shoulder. Opening my eyes I found Corey kneeling down and smiling at me. He said we'd stopped for dinner. Smiling up at him and sat up and slipped back into my shoes. I followed him off the bus and into the fast food joint. Corey and I were the last to order and he let me go first. Wasn't he such a gentleman? It didn't take my food long to be prepared and by the time I'd filled my plastic glass it was ready. Not feeling very socialable, I sat at a table by myself. 
                          
There was alot on my mind and all I wanted was to be alone. Corey was about to sit with me until Jon called him over to sit with them. Why was I letting my parents make all my decisions? Why were they treating Dominick and I like employees instead of their children? Why were they trapesing all over and leaving me in charge of the kid when I have no experience with children at all? Usually if they go out of town they hire a nanny to look after him. Realizing I hadn't eating but maybe 2 bites of my hamburger, I wrapped it up and headed back to the bus. I put it in the miniature refridgerator and cautiously crawled into my bed chamber. Something has to give at some point.
                          
Why is it when ever I think I'm making some sort of progress my parents somehow swoop in and squash it like a bloody bug? My curtain was closed and securely fashioned so that noone would bother me. I just wanted to be alone. How did my parents expect me to keep up with a toddler and stay on top of my studies like they wanted me too? Would I be able to hire a nanny to watch him for me? Sighing I felt the tears well up in my eyes as my world suddenly started feeling like it was closing in on me.
                          


                          
A/N: You know what to do: vote and comment below ;)