Home Alone

When I turned 16, my parents began to allow me more freedoms that I had previously been

denied. They extended my curfew and reduced oversight over my life. It felt really good to see that

while other parents were still controlling every aspect of their children's lives and my parents were

allowing more autonomy. Since they had raised me to be honest and responsible, they felt that I could

make correct decisions. As a result, they trusted me to stay home while they spent a weekend away

from home to celebrate their anniversary.

My first reaction to this decision was excitement since I could do anything I wanted—within

reason—while they were away. However, as the weight of the announcement sunk in, I began to feel

anxious. I was responsible for the house, myself, and our dog Rocky for the whole weekend. I could

not leave for the night and had to feed and walk our dog everyday. These responsibilities were simple

tasks that I have completed before but also have forgotten many times in the past.

Despite my reservations, I told my parents that would be fine alone. They stocked the freezer

with easily prepared foods (I could work the over and stove but knew nothing about cooking from

scratch”. They gave me the phone numbers to the bed and breakfast at which they were staying in case

I could not reach them on their cellular phones. While they trusted my judgment, they still gave me

guidelines to follow while they were away. “There are to be no parties and no boys over while we are

gone,” my dad said sternly. “I understand” I responded as I blushed. I couldn't even talk to the boy that

I had a crush on let alone invite him over. They left late in the evening and I decided to go to bed soon

after.

The next day I was on top of my responsibilities. I fed and walked the dog, made breakfast,

cleaned the dishes, and completed some school projects due the following Monday. It was a long,

lonely day without my family