"Ouch." Kale mumbled under her breath as the car jerked to a stop. Shoving off the blanket tangled around her she unbuckled the seat belt strangling her then looked out the dusty window.
" What do you think?" Her fathers excited voice made it all the harder to fake a weak smile as she looked around the unfamiliar surroundings. They were parked on the browning grass in front of a light blue, shingle missing and window needing house. The streets and homes around it looked more inviting, but they were still strange to Kale. It was almost too perfect for a picture, easy going traffic, a play ground of kids, fresh cut lawns, she felt like she was a vocal point in the seemingly abandoned yard. " What do you want me to think," She answered hesitantly as she opened the car door and stepped into the crisp August air.
" Well, i would be happy if you liked it." He replied. He walked around the car to stand beside her. Kale pushed back her fears and asked the question that was throbbing in her head.
" Why are we here?" Her fathers reluctance to answer made her cringe.
" well," He paused again.
" Get it out before i smack you,"
" I got a job." Kale bit her lip as he finally spit it out.
"so we're moving."
"I won't close the deal on the house if you don't want to be here."
"Thanks, put me on the spot."
" Kale!"
She took a deep breath and chewed her lip. Pushing herself from the car to walk around the lawn, she looked back at him, trying to sound casual.
" i have friends, and a job, and all my stuff back home."
" We can move your stuff."
His playful smile made her hard expression melt.
" do you like your job?" she asked quietly.
He walked over to her and put his arm around her slumping shoulders.
" i know its senior year in high-school for you, but I'm in a town where being a cop means you actually make a difference." he sounded sincere, like he really wanted to be here. but it was her decision too.
" so we're in a crime capital."
he punched her lightly in the arm.
" not exactly."
Kale let her eyes fall to the brown grass beneath her, as she kicked it, little clouds of dust came up.
"What do you say to this little fixer upper?" he asked again, warmly, as
if the question wasn't that hard. She threw up her hands in surrender.
" fine! alright, fine." She almost burst out laughing at her fathers sudden childlike expression. " yes!" he cried.
Kale turned back the the house. sighing, nervous, but also a little excited for the whole new experience. " but i want a dog. " She said, trying to sound mad, she couldn't. her dads arm looped around her shoulders again. " as long as you don't call him something strange." he answered with a smile.
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