Tommy's Troubles - Marisa Cooper (books like beach read TXT) 📗

Prologue

Prologue

"Mum," I complained in my 'bored, here' voice, "Mum, when are we going to be in America? I want to see the Lady of American Liberty." I was on Northwest, from Lincolnshire to New York City. My mother was with me, and my step-father was moldering away in his grave. He died from overdrinking last month, and now me and Mum decided to start all over.
"Tommy," assured Mum. "We will be in America in half an hour and the Lady is called the Statue of Liberty." She then turned her head toward the window. "There she is, Tommy. Do you see the Big Lady of Liberty?"
I glanced at the window and was immediately star-struck at the sight of the Statue. It was green-blue, the color of the English Channel back home. If I was at home in Lincolnshire, I would be swimming in the clear waters, and Mum would lift me out of it and gently dry my hair....'Don't think like that or you will cry.' I reminded myself. I wouldn't admit to anyone beside myself, but I was scared. Scared to live here and find out what will happen here, the strangest of all places......

First Impressions of America

Chapter One

As I strolled through the narrow aisle on Northwest, I held tight to Mum's hand. I had been brave when I boarded the plane, but it seemed like I left my bravery back in Lincolnshire.
"Tommy," a voice called out, breaking my train of thought. I suddenly and looked at my mum, the beautiful Lisa Daniels. Then I realized that I was standing at the door, blocking everyone else from leaving the plane. I gulped and walked to the baggage claim.
I couldn't stop staring at the airport as me and Mum advanced toward the baggage claim. The airport was sparkling clean. There was a large, bronze statue of, I think Samuel Champlan. I let go of Mum's hand, wandered to the statue, and found a bronze plaque under the feet that read 'Samuel Champlan'.
"So, I was right." I articulated. Then noticing that Mum was proceeding without me, I hurried over to her, not that it was easy. The airport was huge, crowded, and there were too many distractions.
When I bumped into Mum [I literally bumped into her!], she was looking at our passports. Mum had gotten our baggage and it was nestling against an oak bench.
"Tommy," Mum whispered anxiously, "I feel so.....intense. Do you believe that we did right to leave England and live here?"
"Yes, Mum." I spoke, without considering what I was answering. "Mum, we made the right decision to come here."
Did I believe what I was saying? I didn't know the answer to that.

Disaster Strikes

Chapter Two

When we stepped out of doors, I shivered. The crisp, early spring air was chilly and I wore a light jacket, intended for warm fall days in Lincolnshire. I hoped that New York warmed quickly in March.
"Taxi!" Mum exclaimed, whistling as she stuck out her arm. Accordingly, a checkered black, white, and yellow cab came up.
"Hey, lady." called out the pock-marked teenager. "What can I do for you?"
"Sir, please take me and my son to the Fairworth on 128 Maplewood Avenue." Mum asked him politely.
"Sure, lady, but that will cost ya." the teenager commented, popping his red Juicys' gum.
"I have money." Mum stated. "Now, please let us in, or Tommy here will probably die of pneumonia." I smiled at her, grateful for her understanding of my unwillingness to stay outside much longer.
"Of course. Come right in." the teenager declared. "Let me get your bags."
We moved toward the cab. I hesitated for half a second. The reason for that was that if I stepped into the cab, there was no going back. I became afraid, but then I saw an image of my mum's face when we got off that plane. She seemed so happy.....and I didn't want to break her heart. So I took courage and entered the vechicle.
It was very warm, thankfully, but the inside of the cab was filthy. Cups from McDonalds were thrown all around the car, burger wrappers were crumpled up and left on the littered floor, and the air was so bad-smelling.
I opened the window and gagged on the gas fumes. Not to forget that when Pockmarks started the car, it roared so loudly, you couldn't hear the world's largest parade.
"Y'all comfortable?" questioned Pockmarks. "Y'all want some grub?" he continued. "I can get y'all some."
"Oh no no no," Mum hastened to answer. "We are not desiring victuals at the moment. Just hasten to the Fairworth."
"Sure thing, lady." Pockmarks muttered.
As he drove, we were silent. I took the time to observe my new country. We passed a pretzel stand, a peanut stand, and three malls. Then disaster struck.
"No!" Mum exclaimed as Pockmarks turned a lane and immediately found us five seconds from a car crash. Pockmarks wretched the wheel but it was too late. We crashed.

During The Crash

Chapter Three

I couldn't see the crash. I only heard a screeching noise. My head was jerked onto the seat in front of me and I heard a crack. I felt something warm and sticky run down my face. I would have put my hand on it, but it was under my seat. How it got there, I will never know. Anyway, I had to rely on my sense of listening to find out about the crash. I heard gasping and someone whispered "Tommy? Tommy, where are you?"
It was Mum! Dizzy from the loss of blood, I managed to reply back a "Mum, are you okay?" to her. Darkness started to surround me.
"Tommy. I'm sorry."
"Sorry? Sorry for what?" No one answered. "Mum!" I shouted. I heard sirens in the distance but that wasn't important. What was important was Mum! The darkness loomed even closer, threatening to engulf me in it. I struggled, anxious to reach Mum. I gave one final cry of "Mum!", then the black darkness engulfed me. I blacked out.

The Awakening

Chapter Four

When I came to, I was in a strange room in a strange building. Then I remembered the crash and immediately turned my head to look at Mum. Lights immediately exploded in front of my eyes.
"Owww!" I groaned. As I slowly lay back down on the soft warm bed, I realized that I was in a hospital.
A nurse bustled in the white-washed room and found me staring at her. "Oh, good." she commented. "You're awake." She came close and examined me with her pebble eyes.
"Where is my Mum?" I demanded. "Where is she?" My mouth felt like it was filled with sawdust. I studied her closely. She had frizzy black hair, violet pebble eyes, and was overweight. She wore a snow white uniform with a tag that read 'Nurse Nora Burkes'. Ms. Burkes bit her lip so hard, it began to bleed freely.
"What did you do to her?" I cried. I sat up, but was overcome with dizziness again.
"Shush." Ms. Burkes ordered. "You're too weak. Sit down now." I sat. "That's better."
"Where is my Mum?" I wept. I needed Mum as much as I needed air. Without her, I couldn't live or even breathe as well as before.
"In the car crash, you mommy was serious injured. Your mother...died from the injuries she sustained from the wreck."