This is the most important chapter in the story. It's a long one. Hope you enjoy! :)


Year 1, Summer, Day 15

I think today I really bonded with Gill. It was the first time we talked about out parents since that third day in spring. Well, my parents and his mom. You might think that it was sad. And it was. In a way. Remembering things like that always make you want to cry. But it was more of a happy day than a sad one. You'll see why. Here's my story.

It was a Sunday. I slept in till about 11, as usual. When I woke up, I had a small lunch, and got washed and dressed. I got ready to walk to Gill's house to return his sweater vest that he he'd left here yesterday. But just as I walked out the door, I realized that Gill always went to the church on Sundays at 1:00. I checked my watch. It was 12:30. I figured I could run down and return it quickly, but then he'd have to leave and I'd be bored. I made a decision to just wait until he got back at 2:00 and return it then. Maybe if he wasn't doing anything we could hang out for the day. Maybe go fishing out on the ocean (Gill is a pro now at fishing, did I mention that?), or ride my horses in the woods and just talk. Well, what I got wasn't exactly horses in the woods, but we did talk. And this time, it wasn't about nothing in particular. It was about the one thing we had in common. Our past tragedies. Not a very fun subject, eh? But I'll get to that later.

I considered what I could do to pass the time. I even thought about going to the church myself and just sitting with him. But I didn't want to distract him or make him feel uncomfortable. I know that Gill goes there to think about his mother. To pray that… well, I don't really know exactly what he prays. But I do know that he has a special connection with his mother there, because she used to run the church. It's still open today, and Hamilton runs the masses now, on Mondays at 6:00. But it's not the same. Gill's mother (I found out her name was Elaine) made a huge difference. At least that's what I've heard. People have told me her sweet and caring personality made her like the mother of the island. Gill told me people used to call her the "Goddess in disguise". I thought about all this and decided not to go to the church. It was meant to be a special time between Gill and his mother. And I understood that. So instead, I ended up taking a walk around Waffle Town to kill time.

I dropped into all the stores, just to say hi. The tailors had moved back to the island, and their shop was also open, so I decided to buy a new outfit. I even went to get a quick check-up from Dr. Jin. I was done around 2-ish, but I figured it would take Gill some time to walk home. I thought I had enough time to go back to my house and put my new outfit away before going to Gill's. Besides, I had nothing else up for the day, so what the heck?

I did go home, and even though I was in no rush, I ran straight back to Waffle Town. What can I say? I was excited to see Gill. He was my best friend.

I knew I would find Gill in his house. Even though he was really starting to lighten up and have fun, he had trouble talking to the other villagers. I think it was because each store and person held some memory of his mother. And I didn't. Because I never met his mother. I went up to Gill's door and knocked. Nothing happened. I knocked again, and still, nothing. Maybe he wasn't home? I turned the doorknob just to see, but it turns out it was opened. That meant someone was home. Because I knew for a fact that Hamilton never, ever left his house unlocked if someone wasn't there. Don't ask me why, the point is irrelevant. So I quietly walked inside. I didn't think Gill would mind; I had done it before. Plus, Hamilton said I was always welcome there.

I listened for a second, seeing if I could hear the TV or the stove, or something to let me know where Gill was. And I did. I heard music. And singing. It came from upstairs. I silently made my way up, not wanting the music to stop. It was beautiful. Gill's door was open, but just a crack, so I walked up and peeked in. It was Gill that was singing. And he was playing his grand piano in the corner of his room. His back was to me, so he didn't see me. I stayed there watching and listening for a while, until something in the music struck me as familiar. Then I realized he was singing the song my mother used to sing to me as a child. I listened more closely. Though Gill was singing quietly, he had a beautiful voice. It was smooth, just like his laugh, and clear. I was able to hear every word he sang.

I'll carry you in hard times,

And laugh with you in good,

I'll be beside you always,

Just like a mother should.

There's….There's no…..There's no….

Gill stopped playing. He sang the words over and over again, probably hoping the rest would come to him. But it didn't. He put his face in his hands and rested his elbows on the edge of the piano. He couldn't remember the rest. But I could. As I opened the door wider, I thought, maybe I shouldn't. But it felt right, and I wanted to. So I started singing as I walked in the room.

There's no one I love more,

Than you, my precious little one,

When I see your smiling face

Beaming like the sun.

Gill turned around slowly as I was singing, and watched me walk up beside the piano. I could see that he'd been crying. But the tears had stopped. Through his eyes, I saw his surprise, but he soon relaxed. Gill started playing again, just as I was finishing my verse. Then, with him looking into my eyes, and mine looking into his, we sang the last verse; Gill's voice blending beautifully with mine, and his harmony perfect.

But if things don't go as planned,

And we must be apart,

Just think of me, and I'll be there,

Forever in your heart…

Just think of me and I'll be theeeeerrrrre

Forever in youuuuuur…hearrrrrt.

The last line was magical. Gill finished the music, but even after he stopped, we continued to look at each other. Tears were forming in Gill's eyes. One ran down his cheek, and he turned his head to look at his knees. I could see the tears streaming down his face, but he didn't make a sound. I sat down beside him and put my arm around his shoulders, hoping to comfort him the way he did with me when I was crying. After about two minutes, Gill broke the silence.

"My mother used to sing me that song," Gill said quietly.

"Mine too," I replied.

"This was her piano too. She taught me everything I know." Gill paused still looking at his knees. "Angela, how do you forget? About…about your parents?" Gill asked, tears still in his eyes. I reached into my pocket and gave him a tissue.

"I don't forget, I just…I just cope. It took me a long time Gill, believe me. I even went into depression as a child that was so bad I needed pills and doctors." I explained quietly.

"But how? How do…you cope? Being happy isn't enough Angela," Gill said. Then he looked at me. "When I'm with you, I have fun and I am happy, but that doesn't change my emotions towards…my mother. I want to…live my life…without being sad about her."

"Gill, as much as you don't want to, you will always be sad. But I can help you not be as sad as you are now. I can help you cope, like I did…like I do." I squeezed his shoulder. "Let's take a walk. I'll tell you my story."

"Gill nodded, and stood up with me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, giving him a hug. He hugged me back. After we pulled apart, we made our way downstairs and outside. I came up beside him and took his hand. We walked out of Waffle Town, and into Caramel River District. No one but me lived there so all the lots were empty. I figured it would be a nice place to talk without interruptions. I led Gill to my favourite spot, under a big tree in a lot near my house. We both sat down, leaning against the large trunk. And I began my story.

"Gill," I said softly, "forgive me if I get upset. I'll try my best not to, but what I'm about to tell you brings back memories. They're not bad ones, but they hurt just the same. But I think I can help you. So I'll tell you."

"Don't be afraid, Angela," Gill said looking down at me. "I'm here." He put his arm around my shoulders. It's funny. He wasn't really the social contact type of guy when I first met him. But he'd really changed.

I took a deep breath and began my story.

"I used to live on a farm. From a baby to age 8, that's all I can remember. Climbing trees, going fishing, caring for the animals, harvesting the crops. Everything a normal farm girl would do. I loved my farm. I loved the smell, the air, the sky at night, the freshly grown crops, and everything else about it. It just felt right. Like I was meant to live there." Tears began forming in my eyes. "But in the summer when I was 8 years old, my whole life changed. When I came home from school, I found a woman sitting on my front porch. As I walked up to her, she told me how my parents had been shopping for my birthday, and they were stabbed to death by a deranged, psychopathic man. She told me they weren't coming back, and she was taking me to an orphanage about 3 hours away from my house."

"She told me to pack up my belongings and anything special I wanted to take with me. It only took me two minutes because I really had nothing other than my locket that my parents gave me that I wanted to take. I remember crying as I packed my clothes and toothbrush, and looking behind me in the direction of my farm as the woman led me to the train station." Tears were silently falling down my cheeks. I stopped for a minute.

Gill grabbed a tissue out of his pocket and wiped the tears away from my cheeks. He said, "I'm sorry Angela. You had a hard life."

"I know," I replied. "I did. I grew up in the orphanage till I was 18, old enough to get away. I really hated the orphanage. Most kids were mean and rude and some would beat you up. I was one of the youngest there at first. So I was the one they picked on, because I was small. I went into depression growing up, and the only thing that kept me from committing suicide, or from screaming when the doctors injected me with needles, was that I would be free when I was 18."

"Finally that day came, and the first thing I did was take the train to visit my old farm. Nobody ever sold the house, I guess in memory of my mother and father. I explored the dusty, broken down house, but I was overcome with memories, so bad that I wanted to leave. But I knew I needed a place like this. I had always known that I would live on a farm when I grew up. After I went to college to explore my knowledge, I came here, to Waffle Island. I used to dream for hours about the day I could own my own farm, and follow in my parents' footsteps. Where I could marry, and raise my children. And finally I got there. Almost. I've started my dream. Living here made me happy. It helped me to cope easier, knowing my parents were watching me from somewhere and were proud of me."

By now Gill was crying too. We sat in silence for a few minutes, his arm around my shoulders, my head resting on his chest. Then I started to speak again.

"But that's not what I wanted to tell you," I said to Gill. "It was something my father told me as a child. It was another thing, besides knowing I was getting out at 18, that kept me going each day in the orphanage." I began to explain.

"My father was a happy man. It always seemed like nothing bothered him. He found the good things in every situation, no matter how bad the situation was. And one day, I finally asked him how. I asked him how he stayed so calm all the time. I asked him how he saw the good things in life. This is what he told me." I said.

'Life's a game, Angela. You may have a plan for it, but Life, like a game, can sometimes trick you. It wants you to stray from your plan, and lose. But I never do. Do you know why? Because I never give Life the satisfaction of beating me. I change my plan around to work with what I've got. I see how I can fix the mistakes Life made me make in the past. And by doing just that, I always win. That's why I am happy, Angela. Because I know that life will never get the better of me, no matter what obstacles it throws in my way. I will wake up everyday and say "Bring it on, Life," because I am always ready for the challenge.'

I recited my father's words to Gill, exactly how I remembered them. When I finished, I looked up at him, to see what he thought. He looked a little confused, but thoughtful.

"Angela, I can see your father's point. But I don't understand what that means in my life. How it relates to my mother," Gill told me, softly.

"Well Gill, I didn't understand what it had to do with my life at first, either. It wasn't until I was 15, that I really started to understand," I said, no longer crying. "Let me show you." I paused, thinking of how to explain.

"What do you want the outcome to be when you play a game?" I asked Gill.

"Well, I want to win of course," he replied.

"That's right. Everyone does. Though the game itself may be fun, no one would bother playing if they knew they would lose right from the start. But how do you win?"

"Well," Gill said, "You play by the rules in the best way you can."

"Yes. And you have a plan. But that plan never turns out exactly like you wanted it to. Because of things that other players do. So what happens, when another play ruins your next move by doing something according to his own plan?" I asked Gill.

"You try to find another way to win…," Gill's face lit up. I think he was starting to see.

"That's right. You change your plan, sometimes a little change, sometimes a big one, to help you win." I smiled.

"And if your plan gets messed up again, you make another one!" Gill finished happily.

"You got it Gill! So let's take my life for example," I said. "Being young, I didn't have a particular plan for life. My game was just starting out, and at the beginning of a game, no one's plan is really distinct. But I'll tell you one thing. My parents' death was the last thing I expected to interfere with my plan. But another player, the psychopathic man, made it happen. It took me a while to pick up the pieces of my old plan. But when I did, I found another plan within those pieces. When I was in the orphanage, I was sad, and didn't know where I was going, but as time went on, I came to understand my father's words. I knew what my next move would be when I turned 18. And that's why I decided to go to college. To expand my knowledge. I wanted to learn about life as much as I could, as the education in the orphanage was terrible. But the main reason I did this, was because I knew I would go on to own a farm soon after, so I needed the proper education."

"Throughout college, Life threw things at me everyday, to try and stop my plan. But I knew the secret. And I always beat life. I failed a course? I took it again. I certain teacher hated me? I became the top student in his class. Someone stole my essay that I worked for hours on? I wrote another one. Though it was hard work, the satisfaction of jumping over Life's obstacles kept me going."

"And what's funny about all this, is that sometimes, in Life's attempt to ruin our chances of winning, Life actually makes it easier to win. And I believe that's what happened to me. Though I loved my parents and would have preferred that they were alive today, I realize that it that were true, my plan would have been different, and I would not be where I am right now. In some cases that might be good, but I know that Life would throw more obstacles at me anyway, no matter what path I took. And I may have never realized that true meaning of what my father had told me. So in ways, I don't wish my parents hadn't died. But only because that event may have made me stronger. It gave me strength to play the game of life."

"And that's where I am today. Still playing, still fighting Life's obstacles. But you know what Gill? I truly believe that right now, I am winning. And when it's my turn to leave this world, I will always know I've won, because I beat life in its biggest attempt to tear my plan apart. I'll always look at my parents' death as Life's big obstacle that really helped me instead of wrecked me. I'm playing the game, Gill. And I'm winning. And that," I finished, "is how I cope."

Gill was speechless. He looked at me and nodded through his tears. "I…I understand now Angela. I see what I must do. I don't need to forget my mother, but I need to look at her death differently. I must show Life that it cannot change me. That my plan will continue, no matter what Life throws at me." Gill paused and then winked at me. "It will be hard, but if you can do it, kid, so can I."

"I'm happy I could help, Gill," I said. "And to be honest, there's nowhere I'd rather be right now, than here with you. As funny as it may seem, you helped me too. When we were having fun together, it gave me proof that I was winning. That Life had lost. I had found the friend I had dreamed of all my life. That part of my plan is now complete."

"Thank you Angela. Nothing has ever changed me more. You are my best friend. My first step in my new plan. And I'm glad I met you," Gill said, half-smiling.

"Let's go back to my house Gill. We can eat and play a card game. Let's put my dad's theory to the test."

It was a fun evening. Gill stayed till 9, and we never stopped having fun in that time. Gill left with a new jump in his step, which really made me know that I had helped him. And right now, I'm looking forward to the future, to spending time with Gill, to defeating Life's plans. So right now I'm going to bed. Tomorrow's a new day. And like, my father used to say, 'Bring it on, Life!'


Even though the story might seem as if it ends here, it doesn't. I've still got a big part to write. Because of course, it's a romance story too. So keep reading, please. The next chapter should be out soon. And don't forget to review! I like getting new suggestions.