I breathe in, smiling because the air smells sweet like fresh-cut grass.  The birds are chirping their happy song, something so heart warming you just can’t help but smile.

“Valentina!  Can you come here?  NOW!” my stepmother, Cindy, says to me.  Ever since my Dad remarried, I’ve just wanted to get away.

I mean, Cindy’s great.  If you like the stepmother who is only about ten years older than you.  Plus, she broke up my Dad’s marriage with my Mom.  Except, she believes that I will get over that little part and treat her like she is my mom.  Not just the woman my Father married.

“Yes Cindy.”

Cindy hates it when I call her by her actual name instead of mom.  I mean, what does she think I’m going to call her?  I guess I could think of some other names that wouldn’t be too nice, if you know what I mean.

You see, the courts wouldn’t let me live with my biological mother.  I have no idea why not, she’s a great person!  She makes me feel loved, other than some people I know.  The government should have no reason the mess with my personal life.  Of course, my thoughts are wrong.  I can still dream, right?

“Are you finished packing?” Cindy’s crystal clear voice calls to me.

“Yes, Cindy.  I just got finished.”

“Did you remember the adaptor cable?  Your laptop won’t be running long if you don’t have it to charge the battery.”

Oh man.  I forgot all of that.  If you were interested, I”m going to spend a college semester in Ireland.  I know, I know, I’m so not Irish.  I’m definitely Italian, I can even speak the language.

“Yepp!  It’s all packed.”  I say making a mental note to pack the adaptor cable.

“Okay, we’re leaving in a half hour.  You better be ready, you don’t want to be late!  Kay honey?”

Jeez, she’s getting that evil stepmother tone to her.  “Trust me, I will be ready!”

I begin to board the airplane looking forward to my bright future.  I was so ready to leave.  My biological mother was there after she had a few- of course.  My father was also there.  I was starting my whole life anew and all the people who mattered to me were there.  I don’t have many friends.  I couldn’t help but smile.