Chapter 2: City Life

"KNOCK KNOCK!" The soft knocking at the door suddenly woke me up from a deep sleep. I pulled myself out of bed, and ran to the front door. As I opened it I saw a very unfriendly face.

"Karen! You are already 2 months behind on your rent. I have been kind enough to give you that much leave, but I can't just let you stay here for free," My landlord said to me as she impatiently stamped her foot on the cold wood floor.

"I'm sorry. I promise I'll have it to you by Friday when I get my paycheck," I replied anxiously as a pulled my hair behind my ears.

"You better, or I'm gonna have to kick you out... you understand that right?" She asked me.

"Yes..." was all I could reply. I shut the door and walked back into my cramped apartment. I threw myself down on the old couch and picked up the newspaper. I couldn't even bare to read it. This was my life.

It had been 2 years since I had left my home and come to the city. I was no longer that adolescent of 16, I was now an adult of 18, and have been living on my own for 2 years. I had my own apartment, and even a job, but I was never happy. I now lived in a crowded apartment building, with a high strung landlord, and some crazy neighbors. Lucky for me I met Sarah.

Sarah was 21 years old, and she had been living on her own for 7 years now. She lived in the same apartment building as me, and she really taught me the ropes. The day I found myself alone in the city without anywhere to stay, she took me in, and even got me my own room. She had become my best friend here in the city. She even found me a job.

I now worked for the most prestige newspaper in the city. I was one of the many secretaries, slaving away full time, with 8 hour days, but I desperately needed the money. It had gotten me through 2 years of city living, but recently had noticed that I no longer had enough money to live on. Living in the city was a tough life, but not as bad as what I had lived through back in Flowerbud. That was what I loved about the city.

I never again had to listen to my father yell, or be hit for any little mistake that I made. I no longer had to deal with my uncaring mother and her depression. I didn't have to deal with being called the town bitch, or having to work in the stupid bar where people would constantly harass me. That was the only thing that I loved about the city. But there was one thing that has constantly dampened my city living, the one thing that made me regret ever moving here. That one thing was Kai.

The day I left home was the last day that I ever saw him. I loved Kai with all my heart and I would never be able to get over him. In the city I had met many guys, but all of them were just jerks, the stereotypic shallow man that was only in for one thing. I never got serious with any of them, and every day I longed that Kai would come and get me. But who was I kidding. Never once had I written him, or called him up... I was too ashamed of what had become of my life. But one day I promised to myself that I would go back to that place, but I never meant for that day to come so soon.

"Karen! Are you up yet?" Sarah's voice screamed through my apartment. I mumbled in reply.

"Rise and Shine! Another wonderful day in this shit town," she said to me cheerfully. She always made me laugh no matter what kind of mood I was in. "Don't you have work today?" She asked me.

"No... today's is my only day off this week," I sighed. I stood up and went to go make a cup of coffee. I looked at the clock. It was already noon.

"How did I sleep so late," I mumbled as and rubbed my face. I pored a cup of coffee for both me and Sarah and we both sat down on the couch. I flicked on the television. On the news there was yet again another shooting, another robbery, and in lighter news, they found a cure to some African disease that only infects one out of every 5 million people. I couldn't even bare to watch. I set down my coffee and slumped down into the couch.

"O come one now," Sarah said to me, "It's such a beautiful day out today! Sarah went over to the curtains and pulled them open. Outside it was overcast, and seemed to be drizzling a little. I sighed again and closed my eyes. I could hear Sarah's footsteps walking toward the front door.

"Karen, your mail is here. Let's see... bill... bill... ads... bill... OH LOOK! There is something here addressed to you from somewhere called Flo- wer-bud," She said handing me the letter. I was stunned. I flipped the letter over in my hands, still amazed that I had received a letter from home. I looked at the return address... it was my own.

"Sarah... this is my home," I said, handing her the letter, "I don't want to open it."

"Oh Karen... come one just open it!" She said stuffing the letter back into my hands. I crunched the letter in my hand and ripped off one of the sides. I pulled out the letter. I was a hand written on beautiful floral stationary; it must be from my mother.

It read:

Dear Karen,

I know that I have not talked to you in 2 years now, but I have terrible news. On Fall 4th your father passed away, I guess that drinking finally caught up with him. Although he did not show it Karen, he truly did love you, and I am sure he would have wished to tell you that himself. He has left the Vineyard to you, Karen. I would understand if you did not wish to keep it, but I really hope that you will at least come home and think it over. I have missed you terribly, and I truly wish to see you again, and soon. Please come home.
Love, Sasha

As I read over the letter my eyes filled with tears. I couldn't believe it, he's dead. Although I did not agree with him ever, I did love him; after all he was my father. I handed the letter to Sarah and let her read it over as I let everything soak in.

"Are you going to go?" She asked me. I sat there. I didn't know. I hadn't been there since 2 years ago, and surly things would have changed by now. The people, the places. What about Kai, surly he did not wish to see me? But I must go back, my mother needed me.

"Yes... I'm going back," I finally replied. That week went by so fast. I finished up work, and sent in a letter of resignation. I paid off all the money I owed for the apartment. I packed all of my clothes and belonging. It took me so long to say goodbye to Sarah, but I knew I would see her again soon enough. Nearly a week after I received the letter, I was on my way to the marina.

"Well... here I go," I said to Sarah, giving her the biggest hug ever.

"You come back now... y'hear," she said trying to keep up a good attitude, but I could hear her voice cracking from the tears. I put all my stuff on the ferry, and soon enough, the boat pulled away from the dock and I was on my way. The ride was long it seemed, much longer than when I first came to the city. It was nearly dusk when we neared Flowerbud. I peered over the railing, and in the distance I could see it. I could see the beach and the dock, I think I could even see Jack's farm. It was all so familiar to me now. I was home...