Querencia- The Sense of Place (draft)

Shuffling into my room, I drop my things and collapse on my bed. I lay there for a minute as the day’s events run through my head before it hits me: I have homework to do. Gradually sitting up, I sigh heavily as I pick up my books and papers splayed out on the floor. I wearily walk to my dad's office, pausing at the doorway. I breathe in deeply as the subtle scent of lemons wafts through the air. The sun’s rays warm my skin and blind my eyes as I make my way to the bumpy, grey swivel chair my fathers' had for years. Placing my assignments in a neat pile, I position myself at his dark wooden desk. It’s time to begin.  I work my way through questions and math problems, essays and power points.

            Stuck on the same math problem for half an hour, my brain begins to throb. I question myself why I would take Algebra 2 in freshmen year, but then remember that it's a junior class. Of course it would be harder. Staring at the problem, I groan and give up. I whip my head up to look at anything but the pile of assignments waiting to be completed.  

Leaning back in my father’s chair, I run my hand over the lumpy, threaded material and gaze up at the ceiling fan. Following the fan’s movements, I mindlessly begin to spin in the same direction. Picking up speed, I feel as if everything I have to do isn’t important. When I feel I’m going as fast as possible, I pull my legs in as my vision starts to blur. Hair softly fluttering behind me, it’s as if this magical vortex has taken all my worries and stress and hurled them out the window.

            Coming to a stop, I feel a little dizzy, but in a good way. The sun’s arms embrace me in warmth as I slowly stand up. Stepping closer to the window, I look down at Pearl Harbor. Reflecting the light of the sun, the water’s surface glistens so brightly that I can see it from the top of my little hill. Lights are scattered across the neighborhood, glowing dimly. I then think of the lamp sitting less than three feet away, staring intently at the pile of books I have on the desk. Taking a deep breath, the faint aroma of lemons surrounds me once again. I turn with a smile on my face, accepting the challenges that lay before me. Mind refreshed and wiped clean, I can pick up where I left off. No worries, no stress. No responsibilities, no parents yelling, no annoying siblings. Just… me.