Carr,1

Shelbie Carr
Mrs. Rutan
AP Literature and Composition
20 October 2014
Lets See a Movie
The silence was deadly: paralyzing in fact. Has time stopped. Paused just for me?
Swoosh. That makes 18. Swoosh. 19. The rumble of the car has finally settled with only a small
ticking noise to fight off the silence. We sat like statues on the side of the road, immovable to all
forces. I felt realization slap me in the face or maybe it was just a tap. I cant tell anymore
numbness had consumed my body as soon as the crack in my moms voice rippled through the
air. An explanation wasnt needed or given, the tears had flowed regardless with no one to
comfort, but the roads shoulder.
Dead. My mind refused to wrap around the thought. How could it be? It cant. Swoosh.
20. It was only two months ago that I tolerated his call.
No, I shook my head vigorously. Im not here
Shes right here. Do you want to talk to her? Lauren my sister shot a sinister smile
in my direction. Okay. Yeah. I love you too.She shoved the phone in my face and
scurried away. I withheld my sigh and brought the phone to my ear.
Hey
Hey Princess, hows it going? Happiness dripped from his words.
Nothing much. Just doing homework. What about you? I twirled in my chair. The room
morphed into a giant blur as I sped up.
Well I just got done helping Grandpa Carr clean the boat. You should see it! It looks
really good.

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Yeah. I slowed the chair down and grabbed the remote in the process. I positioned
myself perfectly in front of the TV and began to carelessly flip through the channels.
We went out on a hike with Bonnie and Clyde today. You wouldnt believe how hot it was
out there!
Mhmm
I try to take them on a walk everyday, but I have missed a few days recently. It really
keeps them in shape. Have you seen them lately?
Yeah. I couldnt believe it! Full House was actually on and it isnt the same re-run they
show every day. I always seem to miss out on the different episodes, but today was my
lucky day.
...great...big...up to..knee. My mind began to tune out the conversation. Did Karen send
you them? I have some picture if you want them. This is such a good episode!
Mhmm
Okay, which email do you want it sent to?
Yeah.
Shelbie? Oh no, what did he just say?
Yeah.
Are you listening? Whoops, I must have zoned out. I dont even know his question.
Of course, I am. Sorry. Mom had me go get something from the car.
Does she want you to do something because I can call back later? I could feel the concern
in his voice.
Yeah, sorry.
No worries, honey. I will call you soon. I love you.

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I love you too, Dad. Talk to you soon. I hung up and then chucked the phone at Lauren.
Not fair! It was your turn to talk. I shot an irritated glare at her and returned to Full
House.
Ten minutes. Ten minutes was all I needed to take out of my time to talk to him and I
couldnt even do that. It had been so long since he called that I forgot. I had forgotten he was
down there. After all, Florida was a ways away, but is that good enough? Is is really a reason. He
had become an extra pair of shoes to me. Always there, but never remembered. I had always
loathed the times he would call; such an inconvenience to my schedule and used up my precious
time. Swoosh. 21. How could I allow that to happen? How could I allow that type of thought to
even enter into my mind, let alone consume it? Swoosh. 22. I closed my eyes, blocking out the
empathetic eyes that surrounded me. I couldnt deal with this now; I grabbed my bottle and
stuffed the emotions inside, sealed it tight and placed it back on it worn shelf. Maybe tomorrow
Ill unleash it, but for now Ill keep it locked away with the key in the safest place I know: my
heart.
Well... my mom voiced. Silence took over again and the ending of her sentence never
resurfaced. It wasnt until the car roared to life that the silence was defeated. Swoosh. 23. A few
seconds later, we became 24, as we continued our drive.
After all, we couldnt miss the movie.