Born and raised in Manhattan, New York, Max or Maxine Shepard lived with her though mother, Teresa. All was going well in her life. Until three weeks before she turn sixteen. Teresa drags her sorry ass into a little town in he middle of nowhere in Alabama. She then discovers about her heritage and the responsibilities and dangers of being the new Luna.
Chapter 1 Bye, NYC. Hello, Grandma!
" I do not know why we had to move now, Teresa." Max complained. They were driving on the free way en route to a little town in Alabama. They are followed by the two massive truck containers carrying all their stuff from their previous home in Manhattan.
"You know what, I would really appreciate it if you call me Mom, I am still your mother."
They lived in Manhattan for all her life. She had friends there, a budding romance with her long time crush and she and her girl friends were almost sure that he would ask her out pretty soon. That won't happen now because her brilliant mother decided to pack up their things, shove it into two containers and have the audacity to tell her that they have to move in a little town called Haven.
"Yeah, not happening. After my birthday maybe, when you give me what I want, the new PSP, I might call you mom again. But , look at this, you are dragging me to a hellhole. So that is a no, Teresa."
Her name is Maxine Shepard.
In three weeks, she will turn sixteen and she had plans.
They are to remain plans for now because her mother had this weird habit of altering her plans in life. Teresa is a solo parent. Her father? She never had one and her mom refuses to share any information about him. Max understood why. Her mom was secretive. She never actually shared anything of importance to her except for giving her instructions on how to live her life. She had no relatives and no siblings and no idea of who she was, except that she was Max and she despised her mother.
They were now passing by an almost endless rolling field of whey and corn.
"I am sorry about this. Max, I understand that you are upset, but someday, you will understand why I have to do this." Teresa said not even looking at her, but Max was sure she saw a tear rolled down from her eye. That was weird, she never saw her mom cry. Not even once. No matter how hard things were.
"How? You do not know how hard it is to start all over again!"
That was not true. Teresa, perfectly know and understand how she feels. She had first hand information on how hard it is. Having to start all over again when you had your life planned for you. She was once in Max's position and it was not easy. Starting all over again was not easy.
They did not spoke after Max's lashing out. It was almost dark when they arrived at Haven, Alabama. A quaint little town ,basically in the middle of no where. It did not look bad at all but it was a far cry from Manhattan. She even researched Haven while they were traveling. Haven's population is less than five thousand and it it's known as Alabama's primary timber supplier. No caps there because the place indeed is covered by birch, cypress or oak trees that are possibly older than she and Teresa's age combined.
The whole place had a simpleton life vibe. As they passed by the town square, Max did see some shops and stores that they also have in Manhattan although not as big and glamorous. They had coffee shops and strip malls. Max took a mental note on where these vital establishments are in case Teresa lets her wander alone in this place. The houses thy passed by as they entered the sub urbs were nice and well, cute. The people of Haven had a serious beautification game. Her mother finally pulled over in a lovely bungalow house with a willow tree on the side and a shed not far away. There were flower pots on the patio and the garden seemed well maintained. The house looked like it was kept in good condition. There were also lights and Max doubt if this is where they will live because it looks like it is pretty occupied by someone. Maybe a friend of Teresa, but she never mentioned of any family member. Let alone meet them here. Sure, Teresa makes a lot of mistakes and pulling over this house might just be another one to add to the long list.
"Get out of the car." Her mother unbuckled her seat belt and yelled at the truck drivers and the men to unload our stuff. So, this is where we will live. But there is someone in that house.
"Teresa?''
"Hey, Ben! Those stuff at the second truck you can unload at the shed beside the willow tree. The rest are to be unloaded inside."
"M'kay Mrs. Shepard!" Ben yelled back too and went back to work of unloading stuff.
I was still on my seat, belts not yet unbuckled. She was about to get out of the car when she noticed that I haven't followed any of her orders. Teresa gets grumpy whenever I do not do as told and now, I want her to be grumpy than to live with someone I do not know.
"Max."
"I am not going anywhere until you and I have cleared some things."
Teresa took a deep breath and will soon lose her temper." Okay, what is it?"
"Look, you dragged me here. I was living okay in our place. Alone. Okay?" Teresa's reaction was not good when she heard her say the word 'alone'. "Okay, I was not alone, that part was uncalled for, you were with me but you were at work and I was alone. That was half true."
"What exactly is the problem , Max?"
"This. This whole thing. I was okay there. But when you said we are moving I did not not object knowing that my objections are futile. When you decide on stuff, I just get dragged along and act as if it is okay with me too. But, look, you are making me live with someone I do not know, so not fair!" Max's frustration was off the charts. She normally would just go with the flow.
"She is not a stranger Max." Teresa spoke softly.
"So its a she. And I was right."
The front door opened and an old lady who might just look like her mother, except that she is old and was wearing old people clothes and her hair was in a bun and silver, she was also wearing an apron.
"Are you coming in?"
Max turned at her mother after she tore her eyes at the woman at the front door. "Who the f*ck is she?"
"She is your grandmother."