Chapter One: No Turning Back
Dear Diary,
What was I thinking?
I've never even been near a farm, let alone worked on one!
But yet, somehow, here I am! Just another passenger on a train, heading to a place I've never been to, to work on a farm I've never heard of, that belonged to the father I never knew.
And if that's not the craziest thing you've ever heard, then this'll get ya…my mother's the one who convinced me to go. I know, right? I didn't understand it…I still don't. But for whatever reason, she managed to get me packed and out the door before I got a chance to question her motives.
So now, with the city behind me, and nothing but lush countryside in my future, I wonder what's next? If a cynic like myself can manage a feeling of positive anticipation then really, what's the worst that could happen?
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I sighed impatiently. The train station clock read 10 'o clock…Takakura was suppose to meet me here a half hour ago according to the letter. I paced the sidewalk, fingering the folded piece of paper inside my skirt pocket. I had read it at least a dozen times to make sure…WHERE IS HE!
Slowly by slowly, the big hand began to move from the ten, making it's way to the eleven on my watch. I couldn't believe this nonsense. It's been almost an hour now!
The crowds outside the station began getting larger, and larger, and the traffic on the street itself started to remind me of the city. I couldn't wait in this bustle any longer. I did a quick once over of my reflection in the glass of the train station window (Making sure my hair was secured in a pony tail, mascara wasn't smeared, and my skirt was on properly) and headed off into streets.
It had just turned eleven, when I had made my way accidentally, into the market place. The smell of fresh produce, and raw fish filled my nostrils. Not to mention the odor of the live animals wasn't too pleasant either…my stomach began to drop, when I heard the gruff voice behind me.
"Teenie? Teenie is that you?"
I turned around, and looked up. The massive figure I could only recognize from Mom's old photos loomed over me. He had a rugged face, and tattered clothes, which made him even more intimating if his size wasn't too much for you.
"Hi, er…you must be Takakura." I murmered, holding out my hand reluctantly. He reached for it, with a rough tug, and shook it hard.
"Nice to meet ya! Anyways, Teenie, we ought to be off. I was just on my way over to the station to get ya…had a few errands to run first. Running late this morning I'm afraid…I do apoligize-"
He continued to ramble on, my mind only absorbed maybe two words of what he was actually saying. I had my own problems to worry about after all…So I just nodded pleasantly, as we continued to trudge along. No turning back now.