Life as a WHOLE

Friday. January 13th. Happy (?)Birthday ‘My name is... Is... Who am I? Wait… Where am I? My memory is hazy. It’s dark. I’m terrified. I wonder… How would things have happened… If things… Didn’t happen? Or if they… Did? Ugh… My head hurts.’ I try to raise my hand to my head. ‘Chains? What exactly happened to me?’ “Hello? Is anyone there?” I called out. I heard footsteps. Loud and clear. “Hello?” They stop in front of what looked like a long hallway. Where am I? “Kora.” A teenage boys voice... But he looks so…grown up. From what I can see. ‘Is that my name…?’ “Do you remember me, Kora?” ‘I guess it is me.’ I answered back, “Who are you? I don’t remember anything, not even my own name.” His only reply was to stand there and stare. He turned around to walk away. “H-hey! Wait a second!” He was already gone. Friday. January 13th. My life, from beyond this point, was forever changing, and I wondered all day… How do we know what else would happen? Do we know? Will that boy come back? Do I know who he is? When will I get out of here? My stomach started to rumble. Great timing, stomach. As if things couldn’t get bad enough. . . Sunday. January 1st. 12 days left. My name is Kora. Kora Jannings. My parents decided that they didn’t really want a kid. I guess the birth control didn’t work or whatever. I wonder how their lives would change if I wasn’t born. Or how my life would be if they actually wanted a child. They named me so my initials backwards would be ‘JK’. True story. They remind me all the time that I was nothing but a mistake… A bad memory to a result of why extra protection should be used. Birth control doesn’t always work, chicks. Remember that. Anyway, I’m 18 years old. Well…Turning 18. I have to get used to the new transition to such an important age. I get more freedom right when that number hits. Once I turn 18, so many doors will open. I can’t wait for the 13th this month. 18 is just such a great age for me. So much more freedom! Plus, I can finally move out of this god forsaken place I call home. I can’t wait. I can never wait. “Kora!” I jump. My mother’s sudden voice scared the jeepers outta me. It was so silent and peaceful until she yelled my name. ‘Yes mom?” “Get down here! Your breakfast is ready!’ “Alright!” Holidays weren’t such a festivity here. Normal families probably would’ve stayed together on New Year’s, having a party, or at least planning one. Us? We do the ‘normal’ thing for my family. We just wake up, say hello, eat, and go along with our business. My mother would always say how if I weren’t born, she’d’ve been planning parties with her friends, drinking all night, and having a great time. But for some reason, she can’t just send me somewhere, like a friend’s house, and do that, instead of making me feel so dang burdensome. Downstairs, I’m in shock at what I see. A man is here? Who is he? “Kora, this is Liam. He’s a co-worker of mine and he—” “Coworker?” I interrupted. “Mom, don’t lie. You don’t work, except at Hooters or whatever. Jeez…” “Kora!’ I mumble, “Sorry…” “Liam, I apologize for Kora’s rude behavior!” Of course she had to put an emphasis on ‘rude.’ I think that’s a guilt trip of some sort? Whatever. Liam spoke for once. I haven’t heard his voice from my room, so I figured it was just mom and I. Like usual. “No, Pamela, it’s fine.” He looked at me. “You’re a teenager right?” I answered, “Yea, I’m about to turn 18. What of it?” He smiled…Chuckled a little… Then he said “It's always alright to be a little rebellious.” I’m not sure, but I think I blushed. He was a very attractive man. Young, too. With a very smooth and deep voice. So I turned around and saw a cake on the table. “Wh-what’s this?” “Liam brought us a cake, for the new year.” “O-oh... That’s great, actually. Thanks, Liam.” I smiled at him. I rarely smile. “No need to thank me. I hope you like chocolate! It was the only one left, actually, and I had to bring something.” He grinned at me. Who was this guy? He was great! But…Is mom cheating on dad? “Anyway, I really should be going right now. Pam thanks for having me.” He gave her a hug. “Kora...” He stretched out his arm for a handshake... a HANDSHAKE? Ugh. “Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you, too.” I took his hand, and he pulled me in for a hug, laughing. Of course, since that was really unexpected and I had only woken up around an hour ago or so, I screamed a little. That only made him laugh harder. How embarrassing. He finally let go. “I’ll see you soon, for your birthday! Enjoy the cake, ladies.” He left the house, turned around and winked at us, then started towards his car again. What a great guy. And the day goes on.