2) Last Good-bye

A Chapter by Kelly M.

Eastern bluebirds whistled joyously outside April's crystal clear window. April listened to their songs they sang back and forth to one another. She was curled up on her comfortable armchair in her bedroom, wondering. She realized the rest of her life would change forever-- starting today. She wanted to cry; to just let the tears flow unheedingly. But she had cried enough last night. She had wet her pillow until it was sopping wet, and she wasn't going to start that again. She had to be brave.

She sighed, rising herself to draw back the curtains. Her gaze was on the melodic bluebirds, dancing in pleasure, outside her window. Their wings were of a royal blue and their bellies a rusty-orange. God had made such breathtaking creatures.

She turned from the window, and wandered over to her small closet that was neatly organized with all of her hand-sewn dresses. She was taught at a young age how to sew her own clothes and was quite proud of her talent. But she knew absolutely nothing on what city folks wore and what was the fashion. She did slightly remember a wealthy, dashing city guy coming to town once. She also remembered how awed she was at his fancy attire. Her great fear was that her appearance would look much too old fashioned and shabby for city folk's taste. But what could she do? Barely ever did she buy a new dress for herself. She sighed again. Her church dress would have to do, she had decided.

After she had dressed herself, she scrubbed her face, then brushed and brushed her hair until it shone. She studied herself in the mirror and shrugged her shoulders. It would have to do.

Then she packed all her little worn duffel bag could hold. Her heart cried over the little precious trinkets that she placed inside it. They brought back so many memories. She realized, sadly, that not all the memories could she fit into the duffel bag. How she wished she could fit every little memory though. But she knew that nothing could take away the ones that were buried in her heart. No one could take that away. Her eyes held tears as she packed each thing carefully and then placed the duffel bag by the door.

She walked out into the kitchen, expecting to see her parents settled around the table, drinking their morning coffee. But she didn't see any sign of them, so she shrugged into a light shawl and decided to take a quick walk. She would have just enough time to get some morning air, and be back in time for a hot breakfast.

She strolled over to where Jack was chewing on some fresh green grass that had sprouted with the sweet sign of spring.

"How are you doing, Lazy Bones?" she teased him. "Oh, you've probably been lying around here doing nothing as usual, right? You know, I'm going to miss you not being around. But don't worry. Drew will take good care of you," she assured him. She brushed back his sandy blonde mane and continued, "You know, I'm not leaving you because I want to. I would take you with me if I could. But the city doesn't have any room for you, I'm afraid. I'm afraid-- I'm afraid it doesn't have any room for me either," she stated, and a tear slipped from her blue eyes. She buried her face in Jack's mane and cried. She had promised not to cry anymore that day. She had promised she was going to be brave, but she couldn't hold in all of the emotions she felt inside anymore.

She stayed outside a while, enjoying the spring air. Then, realizing it was getting late, and her parents would wonder what had happened to her, she wiped her swollen, red eyes and sauntered back inside. Sure enough, her parents were drinking their coffee, talking about the new house. They both greeted her and welcomed her to sit down with them. She was glad to take their offer and have a seat.

After talking over some preparations, they all hurried to gather up their belongings, and piled them into their old rusty Model T. Drew and Jenny were going to meet them at the railroad station where they would wave them good-bye, and then they would take the Model T back for them.

Drew had promised he would look after the house. April was grateful for him keeping an eye on things, but she felt uneasy about complete strangers moving into her house. They didn't know when the new occupants would move in. The despairing fact was that they were moving in.

April was relieved when she saw that everything was packed in nicely and ready to be on the road. Yet she wasn't relieved. She had hoped that she would have a few moments longer in her old home. She had already walked through the rooms twice, seeing if she had left anything-- and also saying good-bye. Her last good-bye to her dear home. She did hope that it would stay exactly how it was now. That it would never change.

"April, it's time to go!" her mother called from outside. April took one last glance around the room she had known for as long as she could remember, and turned away.

Her mother was waiting by the car for her.

"There you are, silly. We've been looking and calling all over for you. What were you doing?"

"Saying a last good-bye," she whispered.

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