Story Of A Girl
Nayru: And now, to answer some questions you all may be asking.
Xiao: Why hasn't this been updated?
Nayru: Simple; I've been busy. I do have other projects; currently writing an original story that I someday aspire to publish, and all the practice writing (but don't concern yourselves with that; if you must know, ask and I'll explain next chapter). I am still a teenager in high school; I took the PSATs on Wednesday (the 13th of October). Also, like many writers, I sometimes just don't have the inspiration. Also, this was meant to be posted on the 15th. Due to Xiang hating me, I got punished.
Ran-Ran: Are there always going to be six month breaks between new chapters?
Nayru: No. There will not. But, one of the big reasons I wait is because I love reader input, and I like letting you guys decide what I do. My current problem with this chapter; I got four reviews. One didn't vote. The other three... all voted for something different.
Xiao: So, what are you going to do?
Nayru: I admit I left holes in the other chapter, holes that I'm going to fill now. And then, you'll get to vote again.
Ran-Ran: So, why are you still making your muses ask you these dumb questions and not getting the hell on with it?
Nayru: .... I'm getting to it. Oh, and if you want to see an increase in activities, American voters, REMEMBER do your part as an American citizen and VOTE! Swear to god, if Kerry wins, I will go on a freaking SPREE of happiness-updates. But... Don't let StAG dictate your votes. If you want to vote Bush, or even Nader, I will still update. I just won't be as happy. It sucks to not be able to vote.
Xiao: And one more thing; since Nayru is sick of warnings, the interactivity is now gone. However, she always welcomes e-mailed suggestions. She plans on switching to for some of her stories very soon. She is pissed too, so forgive her. HEAR THAT, XIANG! SHE JUST TOOK OUT HER FAVORITE PART OF THIS JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO LIFE!
DISCLAIMER: Nayru Moon (and her imaginary muses) do NOT endorse any political campaign, as Nayru is not a registered voter. DO NOT flame her on her personal political views. With this said, Nayru is poor and only owns copies of all the Harvest Moon games past HM64, which she recieved for her 13th and 14th birthdays. Rae is hers, as are any characters you do not recognize from the game. Enjoy.
Chapter 20: The Truth Is Out! "No Need For This Right Now"!
Rae was in a complete daze. It had been about twelve hours since Ezra had been handed to Cliff, sniffling and wailing softly. It was about seven in the morning. Cliff had already done his and Rae's chores. He didn't have to bother watching everyone work; they were all crowded around him, Kai, and the three newborns. They'd all been brought out for a miniature baby parade the second everyone had finished their work; which took surprisingly less time than usual. Ezra was wearing a pink hat with bunny ears, but a lock of gold-brown hair escaped it. Her pink baby body was in an all-pink crawler (as Rae had called it when she'd bought it- it just looked like footy pajamas to Cliff). Rhamiel and Gabriel were in identical blue crawlers, but Rhamiel had a dark blue hat, and Gabriel, a sky blue cap, and each wore an ID bracelet.
"Look, Ezzy's yawning!" Mary giggled eagerly, pointing as Ezra, indeed, yawned like a bear. Mary and Gray were to be married in a week by a Justice of the Peace. They both agreed to have three children; one girl, one boy, and whatever the gods chose then. Mary was fascinated by babies, and she cooed happily at each baby's every move.
"Well, yeah, babies yawn..." Ann nodded. She was not as entranced with the little ones as most of the others on the farm; however, Rick, her fiance, was. Since her bad 'experience' when she was younger (see chapter 14) with Cliff, she'd had no intention of having children.
"But it was a cute yawn!" Popuri protested. Harris nodded in agreement. Rae's grandmother was interestedly peering over their shoulders to see the little newborns, not speaking, but smiling interestedly. Several other townspeople curiously crowded around. The thought of three babies in one day was definitely news in a small town with a population barely over thirty. Karen's mother was holding Rhamiel at the moment, and Cliff's grandfather was holding Ezra in his lap. It was almost a Norman Rockwell painting, absolutely picturesque. Cliff could only stare in wonderment at the strange sense of unity he felt, as thirty people crowded around his and Rae's baby daughter, fascinated with her perfect creation. Nothing could ruin this moment, it seemed, yet one thing actually could.
"Is that ALL you dragged me here for?!" Grumbled an annoyed, snotty male voice; John Ginram, Rae's father. Lily, his fiancee followed him. Through the fifteen minutes Cliff had known the man, he'd despised everything about him; the way he spoke of his family, his lack of compassion, right down to the damn annoying side-part of his hair. Now, he strode into the crowd, coolly staring at baby Ezra. The chatter had silenced, the group parted. Cliff's grandfather watched in slight disgust, hidden by a mop of shaggy brown hair (which he'd quickly tossed into his face the moment John had approached) as John picked Ezra up, out of his mother's arms. Ezra was unaware, her dreamy blue eyes only halfway open. John scowled at her. Lily actually smiled slightly.
"It's almost cute. If only she.... If only..." She couldn't finish. There was nothing even a snob like Lily could criticize.
"If only she were not born of trash and to be raised by trash. Cute now, but she'll grow up a filthy child, and be a filthy person-" John began to grumble angrily.
"At least I plan to raise my daughter." Cliff growled. There were tiny titters of awe.
"I had a job, a life, I had no time for a brat. She didn't want to learn business, the real world, she wanted to play!" He simpered the last word mockingly. Continuing in this tone, he continued to sneer, "Oh, just a widdle giwl, wants to pway wif dollies and balls and little kiddie games!" He then smirked nastily, and hissed in a vile tone, "I figured that I'd have it much easier if I didn't have to play and read stupid little story books to a brat who's only idea of thanks were 'I love you, daddy.'"
"When my daughter looks at me and says, 'I love you, daddy', I will be a proud man!" Cliff was now yelling, unable to control the level of his voice. "It tells me that I showed my daughter love, that she learned that word, and she said it to me because she felt it for me! It tells me that I did well! When my daughter tells me she loves me, I will never want for thanks or praise. That would be all I'd ask of her!" Cliff was moving towards John, he could feel himself quivering. People were starting to back away from Cliff, nervous.
"Cliff, nothing rash!" Kai warned.
"Cliff, calm down, he's a jackass!" Ann insisted.
"He doesn't know what it is to be a father!" Grey added.
"And he's still holding your baby!" Mary gasped.
"Cliff, sit down! I have no need for this right now!" Everyone whirled around, to see Rei in sweatpants and a loose T-shirt. She strode towards John, claimed Ezra, which he didn't defend against (as he was too flustered to do so), and walked back towards Cliff. "All I'm hearing is yelling. Stop yelling."
"Your father just said he abandoned you because-"
"I heard what he said, Cliff.... and I'm sorry he feels that way. You forget... I haven't seen him in fifteen years. I could really care less about what he thinks of me, or why he left me here. The final word is.... he's not my father. I owe him nothing." John seemed shocked at these statements.
"I am your father, young lady, when I say jump, you ask 'How high?!'" John insisted.
"But I'm not jumping. I'm taking my daughter in and going back to sleep." Rae smiled coolly. "See that he leaves in the right direction." She walked back inside, calm and collected, still carrying the tiny baby. Cliff sighed euphorically, as though it was a great release.
"The road out is that way." He pointed to the path off the farm. John scowled angrily, and dragged Lily out. There were a few seconds of silence. Rae's grandmother watched her only son walk off, practically banished. Everyone slowly turned to her.
Old Karen was quiet. She didn't like much to be noticed. She baked the croissants that was given away for breakfast on Sundays, she made the icing on cakes and glaze for pies, she sat in her rocking chair near the cow's pasture, enjoying her twilight years. She and Rae talked seldom, despite living so close, yet Rae would sit with her, watching the two cows graze with her. Old Karen had a soul. As that man walked away from her without a hello or goodbye, she smiled.
"About time someone talked to him." She stated calmly. "If only I'd tried the day Rae was born. Sad though.... that he should call her 'just a girl,' when clearly, she is much more."
Rae and Cliff sat together on the roof late that night.
"I guess this means we won't be able to do as much." Cliff sighed slightly.
"No... all it means is we have one more responsibility. We can have it all, because we are who we are." Rae chirped thoughtfully.
"Then we will have it all, indeed." Cliff nodded.
"So, what of all will we do next time?" Rae asked.
"Well, I figured we could do a 'day in the life of' featurette, showing the non-average daily life of one of our less mentioned workers, a cooking contest, or a dog race." Cliff explained.
"Sounds good. Make a wish, Cliffy!" Rae smiled. "And we'll see you guys next time on Story of a Girl!"
TO BE CONTINUED.... (soon)
Xiao: With this said, REVIEW!!