Chapter 3: Open Doors

Wow, this family sure was affectionate. I didn't mind it, but I definitely wasn't used to it. My dad’s been out of the picture for quite some time now, and my mom has always been a hands-off kind of mother, so hugs aren't really my forte.

“Elodie, you’ve grown so much since the last time I saw you! You’re practically a woman now! Look at you!” The woman, who I assumed to be Anna, broke away from the hug briefly to hold me at arms length, seemingly scanning me, before pulling me back in for another tight squeeze. “Juda’s taking your bag up to your room, I hope you don't mind.”

“No, not at all, ma’am,” I replied as she pulled away from the hug.

“Please, call me Anna. Now, is there anything I can get you? You must be hungry from your flight. Oh! Shoes off at the door please. We have dinner soon, but-” Anna continued rambling as she walked away from me and into another room. I took the hint and followed her into the kitchen after slipping off my shoes and kicking them over next to the rest of the small pile while I pulled my hoodie out of my backpack. This house was freezing cold. I felt a pang of anger at having to leave California in the summer. The heat might’ve been rough every now and then, but it was comforting, in a suffocatingly painful kind of way.

As I took in my new surroundings, I started noticing a theme in the house. Everything was nowhere near modern, but that added to the charm. Wood floors and accents were everywhere, and the cabinets looked very well-loved. I realized I had completely tuned out what Anna had been saying for the last minute or so when she stopped and looked at me expectantly, waiting for an answer to a question I didn't hear.

“I’m sorry, can you repeat the question?” I asked sheepishly. She only smiled at me.

“Oh, honey, you must be exhausted from your flight! Go unpack and take a look at your room.” Out of nowhere, Anna put a plastic cup filled with water in my hands. I didn't even remember her pouring me one. “Juda, sweetheart, can you come down here?” She yelled. Anna turned back to me with a pity smile. “Juda’ll show you your room. It’s not much, but it’ll do for the summer. And as you probably know, you can't have any closed doors for a while, okay sweetheart?” My cheeks flushed red.

“But what if I have to change or go to the bathroom?” I argued with her.

“Then you can close it most of the way, but those are the rules.” I opened my mouth to complain about how creeped out I was about that policy, especially since I was going to be living with a really attractive guy this summer, not to mention his little brother and dad, both of whom I have yet to meet. Before I could say anything, Juda walked in.

“What’s up?” he said, leaning onto the island in the middle of the kitchen.

“Go show Elodie her room. Elodie, we’ll talk more about house rules and expectations at dinner in a few hours, okay?” I nodded, keeping my mouth shut. “Here, sweetheart, I’ll throw your jacket in the closet by the front door.” Before I knew it, my hoodie slipped from my arms, and Anna hurried off to put it where she thought it belonged. Oh well, I guess. Juda left, and I guess I had to follow him, so I left the cup of water on the counter and did. I’d been doing a lot of following this family around today, and frankly, I was getting tired of it. It made me feel like a child. Mom would’ve never treated me like this. I mean, an open door policy? After what I did, I get it, but geez, it’s a little harsh, don't you think? A girl needs her privacy.

We walked up a flight of creaky, wooden steps. The wall leading up the stairs was filled with pictures of the family. I saw pictures of all three of Anna’s siblings and how they looked now versus when they were young kids. Wait, something was off here. Where are all the childhood pictures of Juda? That’s weird. Maybe something happened to the pictures. I couldn't be sure, but I was definitely too curious for my own good. There was no way I was going to ask, though, so for now, it remained a mystery.

Juda led me down a short hallway filled with five doors, each one leading to a bedroom, and another door, an open door, which was the bathroom.

“The one at the end is my parents’ room, and next to those on opposite sides are Maggie’s and Connor’s, but Maggie doesn't really live here anymore ‘cause she lived with her fiance, then here’s yours, which is across from mine, and there’s the bathroom,” Juda explained. My face fell. My room was right across from his? And I had an open door rule? What the hell kind of sick joke was this?

“You okay?” The sudden question shook me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry, just tired. Thanks.”

“Well, if you need me, feel free to knock,” Juda said with a wink.

“As if,” I scoffed, turning around and walking into my room. I heard a soft “ouch” come from his mouth before he walked into his room and closed his door. I closed mine most of the way but still left it open. As much as I hated this rule, I wanted to get on Anna’s good side. More trust means less time with this rule.

The room was small, but it didn't make me feel claustrophobic. It had just enough room for a twin sized bed, a dresser, a desk, and a bookshelf that was only halfway filled with books, all of which were covered in a layer of dust. Pale pink, flowered wallpaper covered the walls, and I didn't mind the small, subtle pop of color that it added to the room. I half sat, half collapsed, onto my bed, staring at the opposite side of the room where my suitcase was laying on the floor. The suitcase looked rather lonely, but so was I, so I guess displaced minds think alike.

I knew I should unpack, but I really didn't have the energy for it, so I just laid down and stared at the ceiling for a while. The white, popcorn ceiling didn't allow much room for the imagination, but that was okay. I didn't have time for that anyway. After less than a minute of rest, I heard mine and Juda’s names being called from downstairs.