CHAPTER 4

5 YEARS LATER

KARMA POV

My parents have been dodging me all afternoon and I had no idea why. My mom is running up here with camomile tea every 5 minutes and I keep catching one of them looking at me with a weird expression. Suddenly I couldnt take it anymore. I walked up to my mom with pure determination.

"Mother, what is going on?"

"Whatever do you mean sweety?"

"Dont bullshit me mom. You and dad have been walking around me all day on egg shells and I know when something is going on."

"Honey, I dont know how to tell you this..."

"Mom, I am a big girl now. Whatever it is, walking circles around me isnt going to solve the problem."

"Karma, Uncle Jed passed away last night."

"What?"

"He had a car accident on the way back from a meeting and he didnt make it."

"Oh my God."

Tears were running down my face. Uncle Jed had always been my favourite and I loved him so much. I couldnt imagine a world without him in it. Memories were flashing through my head. He bought me my first guitar and would always make me play him songs whenever he came to visit. He always used to say that I would be huge one day. He even used to mention his niece on WMMY-FM. He had bought the country radio station years ago in his small hometown of Boone. Home to all the Bluegrass musicians he used to say. He had also bought a local restaurant and pub a few years ago called the Boone Saloon where artists could come show their local talents. He was always so proud to be a part of such culture. He was the centre of it.

"Karma. That is not all of it."

"What do you mean mom?"

"We just came back from the lawyers settling his estate."

"Yeah?"

"Uncle Jed left the Boone Saloon to your dad and myself aswell as the farm close to the river."

"You want us to move out there?"

"He also left the radion station to you Karma."

"What?"

"You know how fond he always was of you and your music and he wants you to share it with the world"

"Mom, I dont know what to say. When were you planning to go out there?"

"Well, there is a foreman taking care of the farm at the moment, but there is no one to oversee the pub and the station at the moment, so we were thinking of moving out there next week already."

"Wow, that is so soon."

"I know honey, but what is truly left here for us in Austin?"

She knew her mom's words were true. Since Amy left here about 5 years ago, (Who was I kidding? 4 years, 302 days and a couple of hours ago)there was never anything really keeping me here besides my parents. I had withdrawn alot during the past few years besides my weekly visits with Shane and Lauren. Bruce had moved back to Austin to stay with Lauren and we had bonded over our mutual affection for Amy. Shane also missed her beyond belief. I had basically concentrated on my music alot and had actually gotten pretty good at it. I had booked a few gigs at the Twain for the last 2 years and because I had drawn a pretty good crowd, I was paid pretty well. Besides the Twain, I did private music lessons from home and I enjoyed it so much.

I realised that as much as I would miss Lauren and Shane and my life here, it would be nice to get away and start on a clean slate. Everything here in Austin still reminded me of Amy and I still wondered every single day what happened to her. I think the not knowing was the reason I couldnt just forget. We never had closure and it sucked. I still constantly used to check social media sites just in case she was back online, but she literally dropped off the face of the earth. No one had heard from or seen her since that day.

I decided to meet Shane and Lauren at the Twain for our usual night of mayhem in order for me to tell them that we were starting a new life. When I got there, Shane had already ordered shots and myself and Lauren shared a knowing look.

"Shane, get over here. I have some news."

"Hey my two beautiful ladies."

"So listen up...My uncle Jed recently passed away and it turns out that he left the farm and the pub to my parents and his radio station to, well...me"

"Uncle Jed, the one who always used to sing your musical praises?"

"The one and only."

"Wait a minute...does this mean you are moving?"

"Unfortunately yes."

"Where is this place anyway? Is it at least close?"

"Its in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A place called Boone. Its in North Carolina."

"Thats like 1300 miles away..."Shane said with a sad face. "Well, when is this move supposed to be taking place?"

"Next week."

"Damn, that is so soon...Well, in that case, we have to see tonight as your going away party. Lets get shitfaced."

Even though my life was about to change in a big way, I was excited. It was a great way to start fresh and I needed that. I also had a new radion station, which meant I got to do something I loved every single day of my life. I have stayed around Austin so long hoping that if Amy ever came back, I would be here waiting. I cant wait anymore. It was time to start my life. Time to let go...