More About Aaron

After our park outing, I was way too curious to not pester Aaron with questions. Yesterday I had tutoring so it was the perfect chance. After we did some math I asked about the guy at the park.
"Yeah, I know him," Aaron said.
"How?" I asked.
He shrugged and so I had to carefully pressure him. He can shut down pretty easily if he feels attacked. I went through a couple different options of how they might know each other until Aaron agreed to one. Yes, he had tutored the younger guy, but he wouldn't say anymore.

A few math problems later, I asked Aaron where he had grown up at.
"Wisconsin," he said. "But I wouldn't call it growing up so much as being tortured." He very briefly told me that his step-father had been abusive and he had run away at sixteen. I wished I could have let him stop there, especially after what I learned today, but I kept pressing.
"Where did you go after you ran away?" I asked.
"Hitchhiked."
"For how long?"
Aaron shrugged. "Awhile."
"How did you get to Montana?"
Another shrug.
I tried to prompt him. There was a twelve year gap between when he ran away and I met him. I wanted to know his story. But he shut me out and said we were done for the day.

This morning Sean dropped Riley off at my house and I heard him talking to Mother that Aaron had gotten himself incredibly drunk and was in the process of destroying his room. He hadn't wanted Riley to know. I couldn't tell Riley either because she was all excited about a surprise her dad promised her for Easter. She is certain it's a new pet.

Right now she's watching a movie with Nellie and Kit. I want to talk to her since she knows Aaron, too, but I don't want to tell her I'm the reason Aaron got himself drunk. It would be nice to meet someone simple without as much drama as my own family has. I hope he gives me a chance to tell him about my own family. I think if he knows that I know what it's like to live in an abusive family, he'll be happier. Ones of these days I might be able to post something lighter! I hope I don't depress everyone.

Feels Like Spring

I can't believe how warm it is today! It is 60 degrees! Unfortunately I don't think it will last since it's kind of supposed to snow tomorrow. I do have my doubts about that, but I'm sure it will be cooler.

Because it was so nice out, Aaron and his (girl)friend Nora picked Riley, Kit, and I up from school and took us to the park. They brought us play clothes so we didn't have to wear our silly school jumpers. I was really surprised that Aaron planned this. He rarely leaves the house or even goes outside. No, I don't think he's a vampire. I know he isn't an alien either since I asked him. But I had to know why he suddenly had a change of heart. But, he being Aaron, didn't give me an answer. He just shrugged and said it was a nice day.

Anyway I wasn't going to let that distract me too much. Riley and I swung on the swings and Kit played on the monkey bars. Nora brought cookies and lemonade for a snack. Afterwards Riley and I talked Aaron into playing catch with us. There were a few other people in the park by then, but I didn't pay much attention to them... at first.

You should know that Riley can't throw a ball straight for the life of her. I didn't mind diving and running to catch her wild throws, but, of course, Aaron wouldn't. When Riley threw the ball to him it went way to his left towards the swings.

There was a college-aged guy pushing his little sister on the swings. What was the chance that he would know Aaron? I would have thought zero, but I would have been wrong. Aaron froze when the guy called his name. I asked Riley if she knew the guy, but she didn't and Aaron still hadn't acknowledged him.

Finally Aaron picked our ball up and nodded his head to the younger guy. He asked how Aaron was; Aaron said he was fine. The guy asked if Aaron wanted to hang out sometime; Aaron said maybe.  Then Aaron tossed the ball to me (Riley can't catch a ball to save her life either) and walked away. Riley and I looked at each other and went after him. Of course I asked Aaron who the guys was and of course Aaron wouldn't tell me. Luckily Nora was there and said: "Didn't you used to tutor him?"

Aaron didn't deny it, but he wouldn't say anything either. Kit, who had been digging in the sand, joined us then. It was decided it was time to leave. It would have been nice to have a drama-free day, but the more time I spent with Aaron the more I can figure out about him. I hope he'll take us to the park again.

Riley's Room

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile! School has been taking up so much of my time and not a lot has been going on.

Anyway. Way back for Christmas, Riley was promised a new room and it's been slowly being put together and now it's finally done. Here's her critter corner:

 The bird's name is Shay, and you know Colin the Westie. Shay is such a funny parrot! Although not the most appropriate one! Apparently Aaron taught him how to cuss and now that's all he wants to say. Riley is trying to retrain him, but every time Shay sees Aaron he starts cursing again. Aaron and Shay have to be separated now, hehe.

 In the background you can kind of see Riley's cool bed. It's a trundle bed so I can sleep over and it's very comfortable. Her quilt has Scottie dogs on it. Oh, yeah, I'm holding a chicken. It's not real, but since Riley had Shay I didn't want to be left out.

Here's Riley and Shay again. Aren't they adorable? The pictures on the wall are from "Ice Age", Riley's favorite movies.

I'm trying to patiently wait for spring break and hopefully something more exciting to blog about.

Snow Day

Well, actually the snow day was several weeks ago, but I have been too busy (lazy) to post. We don't have any snow anymore. The one good snow we had only lasted a week.

 

Riley and I made a snow fort...

 

 ... and JJ attacked!

 Later we had a snowball fight. Perhaps my snowball was too big? Is that even possible?

 JJ said she was ready for it.

 But... She was not a happy camper after that.

 Riley looked so cold in the snow!

 The last thing I did was make a snow angel.

When we went inside we had hot chocolate. I gave JJ extra marshmallows since she was still mad about the snowball. She forgave me after that. I wish it would snow again. There is something magical about that white stuff.

My Present

You might recall that Aaron had gotten me a present, but it was going to be awhile before it arrived. Well, it arrived and Aaron gave it to me at tutoring yesterday. What is it?

A laptop!

 I think I actually squealed when I opened it. I don't think I've mentioned what kind of computer I use since my first blog post a way long time ago, but I was using an old Mac (no, not my cousin Mac!). Having a laptop to blog on is so much better! So far it hasn't frozen or died or not saved my stuff. I couldn't thank Aaron enough.

It even fits in my backpack, so I can take it with me to tutoring or wherever. I'm just so excited! I want to do something for Aaron to show my thanks. Any ideas? I think I might invite him over for dinner and cook his favorite meal, assuming it's not something complicated!

On another awesome note: It snowed! And not just a little bit, like a foot or more! It's so beautiful... and cold! Misfit and Coconut love it even though they keep getting stuck in snow drifts. That's a terrier for you!

Well, I'm off to play--I mean, do homework on my new laptop! Thanks, Aaron!

Meet Cute

No, I didn't meet anyone. This is about how cute William and my Westie's first meet was, hehe.

JJ came by this morning with William. All the Westies were in my room so we brought him up there.

 

Poor William looked quite overwhelmed at first! But, can you blame him? Four terriers starring at you is quite scary!

 

But it didn't take long for Misfit to be brave and leave the pack. She and William got along really well. Since it was another warm day (and not windy for once), JJ and I took the dogs outside. Misfit, Coconut, and William chased each other around and had a blast. Coco and Knut weren't too impressed with the puppy and sniffed around on their own.

We let the dogs come in and cool off while we had lunch. Then JJ and I talked and played with the dogs some more.

 

And because I know you love seeing pictures of me, here is one of me in my new t-shirt. Mother safety pinned the applique on, so I can change it with other ones and move it around.

I'm Still Here!

I can't believe how long it has taken me to post! My family has been pretty busy since we are all on break, although we start back to school this week :(

Anyways. Christmas Eve was a blast! The party was at the Sullivan's and Aaron even came! However, he got really drunk and Sean and Riley had to take him home early. On Christmas day, I went over to their house to exchange gifts. I got Riley a watch and a calendar for Aaron. My gift from Aaron still hasn't arrived yet. He said it will be here in about two weeks. I can't wait that long!

I bet you want to know what the present from Mother was. It was the purple hoodie I have been wanting forever! It is so soft and warm.

 

 I also got another great gift from Mother. A desk! My computer doesn't fit too well, but it works. Now I have a place to display some of my toys. Plus it looks so much better than my old desk.

 

I must say, even though my hoodie and desk are totally awesome, I think JJ got the best gift ever! Take a guess. No? A puppy!

 

JJ has been wanting a puppy forever. After Jadyn was born, she had given up hope of getting a pet since babies are expensive. But somehow her parents worked it out and got the kids a Chocolate Lab pup. JJ really wanted to name it Rowe or Grylls after her favorite Discovery Channel show's hosts, but her family vetoed those ideas. She settled on William after Will Turner from the pirate movies that she loves. William is a pretty crazy fellow. It's a good thing JJ has just as much energy!

Onto my family. Things have been going pretty well right now. Gillian is going to be away for awhile, but she is doing very well and is happy. I think it's actually been more of an adjustment knowing that she and Morgan are Casey's children and not my dad's than anything else. My dad hasn't been found yet, but Casey is footing the bill to find him and make sure he doesn't contact us kids.

Misfit the Westie is still with us and doing great. I'm certain we will adopt her soon. She and Coconut get along great. They're so cute when they snuggle together! (Don't worry, they're both fixed. No puppies for us!).

I think that is everything. I could complain about the weather--how it hasn't snowed yet and it feels like spring, and that it better get cold soon or I'm going to go crazy--but I won't. Happy New Year everyone!