Dad Turned Fifty, I Turned To Ice novel

Chapter 1 The day of my autism diagnosis , my family hit mute . For ten years after , our lively seaside shack , a place that had thrived on noise and chatter , was traded for a silent , cavernous warehouse of frozen goods . My parents whispered like conspirators . They even sent my opera - loving grandfather packing to a retirement home . All for me . All because the slightest sound , they believed , could shatter me . Then came my father's fiftieth birthday . That morning , Mom meticulously taped soundproofing foam over every window and door seam .

The backyard was transformed , eight banquet tables set for a celebration . But laughter , the clink of glasses , the roar of drinking games , it found its way in . It wormed into my skull , a relentless drill against my senses . I was curled in a corner , trembling . " It's too loud , " I choked out , the words scraping my throat . " I can't ... I can't take it . " The door swung open . Dad stepped in , probably to grab more ice or beer . He saw me , and his celebratory flush drained to ash . " What now , Amelia ? " His voice was low , strained . " It's quiet in here . It's always quiet .

" He ran a hand over his face , the gesture weary . " Your mom and I ... we've spent ten years holding our breath . Ten years . Just let me have this one day . Please . Is that really too much to ask ? " He didn't wait for an answer . The door slammed shut behind him , the vibration shuddering through the floorboards . His final words hung in the air , sharp as glass , " If it's too damn loud , find somewhere else to be ! " Outside , someone whooped . " Turn it up ! I can barely hear the music ! " The bass line suddenly exploded , a physical wave that made my vision swim .

My head pulsed with a sickening ache . Desperate , my gaze darted around the cluttered storage room , searching for a refuge , any refuge . It landed on the large commercial freezer in the corner . Solid . Heavy . Sealed . Silence had to be inside . Chapter 1 e- MoboReader Google Play INSTALL 11.11 % *** The cacophony from the yard made it hard to breathe . My temples pulsed , my stomach churned nauseously , my vision blurred , and a ringing filled my ears . I had only one thought , quiet , I need quiet . " Come on ! Bottoms up ! " " C'mon , Bill !

Fifty only happens once , let's see you finish that ! " " Turn the music up ! Let's celebrate ! " Those voices chased me like demons . I looked up at the corner . The large white freezer stood there silently . It was the heavy - duty commercial unit my parents used for their business . I walked over and stared at it . My hand rested on the handle for several hesitant seconds . I knew it was cold inside , that climbing in would be awful . But another wave of noise crashed from outside , someone yelling , " Come on , another one ! " Dad and Mom were happy now .

I needed to be a good girl , not cause them trouble . With a sudden burst of strength , I yanked the lid open . A wave of frigid air hit my face , but I didn't care . I squeezed myself inside . The freezer was painfully cold . Frozen shrimp and meat dug into me everywhere . But in that instant , the silence was the most luxurious thing I'd experienced in a decade . The thick walls muffled the outside world to a faint hum . I curled into a ball and finally could catch my breath . My body began to shiver , whether from the cold or from finally relaxing , I didn't know .

I closed my eyes , starting to drift . Images from ten years ago flashed in my mind . My sister Emily was only five then . She'd leaned against the piano , crying , begging Mom to let her take lessons . Mom had knelt down and whispered , " Be good , Emily . The piano is too loud . It will bother your Amelia . " Emily wiped her tears and nodded , never mentioning it again . Later , Grandpa , who used to fill the house with his booming opera tunes , was moved to a retirement home . He took my small hand in his and said , " You be good now , sweetheart .

Grandpa's voice is just too much for this house . I'll be better off outside . You stay here and get well . " Chapter 1 11.11 % After that , it felt like all the color and sound had been vacuumed right out of our home My consciousness grew hazier , my eyelids too heavy to lift . I dreamed . I dreamed I was walking in a snowfield , moving slower and slower , my body growing heavier . So strange . Everything around me was snow , but I felt increasingly hot . I was about to take off my coat when a beautiful angel suddenly appeared in the sky . She flew toward me . " Amelia , I'm lost .

Did Mommy and Daddy send you to bring me home ? " I looked up , my face full of hope . The angel sister lovingly touched my head . "Amelia , it's been too hard there . You should go to a better place . " " So ... I can't go home ? " But then I thought , maybe this was for the best . If I were gone , the whole family could go back to normal . They could live lively days , just like today . Dad could laugh loudly , Mom could tend to her flowers without worry , Emily could play the piano and sing . Grandpa could come home and belt out his arias in the backyard without a second thought .

They would finally be free . In the dream , the snow fell harder . The angel sister picked me up . So warm . This was the first time in ten years I felt true peace . No piercing sounds , no inescapable noise , no constantly taut nerves . Only silence . And a body feeling lighter and lighter . Chapter 1 admin