The Nights Were Young Read Online Free

window in the corner of the room, and through it Marie looked out onto the lake. Beyond the real lake was another “lake,” at least to Marie, a lake of other two-story and three-story homes that were part of the neighborhood. Beyond them, she could see the broken buildings and vague forms of trailers and small homes grouped together. Then, beyond them was nothing that she could see clearly, -- just the horizon and the setting sun.
                  “Knock, knock,” her mother said. She entered the room with another box. “Here’s your old band stuff.”
                  “You can just throw it in the closet,” Marie said. She sat on the edge of the bed.
                  “You know,” her mother said, putting the box in the closet, “I think you really should try and join the band here. They won third place at a contest last year.”
                  “I don’t care about contests, Mom. I’m only here for a year anyway. There’s really no point.”
                  “Well, okay. Huh, you brought this thing? I thought we sold it.” She picked up Marie’s guitar from the corner of the closet.
                  “Hey, don’t touch that!” Marie grabbed it from her. “Of course I didn’t sell it.”
                  “I don’t see why not. I never see you play it.”
                  “I do – sometimes.” Marie delicately placed the guitar against her bed.
                  Her mother went to the window and looked out. “It’s such a gorgeous view.” she said, waiting to see if Marie would agree, but Marie did not say anything. “They need to tear down those old buildings out there. They almost ruin it.”
    “Mom, people live over there.”
    “Well, then they should move.” She said it so nonchalantly, like it was her right to demand a good view at the expense of someone’s home. She looked away from the window and at Marie. “Are you nervous?”
                  “Not really,” Marie answered, lying.
                  “It’s okay if you are, honey. Going to a new school is hard for anyone.”
                  “Especially their last year,” Marie said.
                  “I know. I know. I feel terrible about uprooting you like that. But you know this meant so much for your father’s career. It was now or never.”
                  Marie did not care about her father’s career. They were fine where they were, but the promotion meant more money, and a new car, and a bigger house – this house.
                  “I know,” Marie said. “I understand.”
                  “We moved during my junior year in high school, you know,” her mother said. “It wasn’t easy of course, but I made friends and the neighborhood was definitely an upgrade. You’ll be fine. Plus, this place is gorgeous.”
    Her mother patted Marie’s knee. “Just keep those grades up and you’ll get into any college you want.”
    Her mother walked to the door. “Who knows,” she said before leaving the room, “maybe you’ll meet a nice boy here.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

III
     
    A week went by, enough time for Marie to settle in. Old friends were already contacting her less as they went on with their own lives and their own senior years. Marie watched a lot of television. Her father was in and out, and when he was in, he was on his cellphone. Her mother roamed around the house like a ghost, tidying things up and spending a lot of time in her bedroom sleeping or reading home decorating magazines. This was life. They had packed up their boxes, changed their surroundings, but nothing changed from the unmoving existence they led before.
    When Marie had to attend her first day at Crossfalls High School, she was excited just to finally get out of the house. The excitement was hardly enough to overcome her nerves,