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Chapter 22
I wake to the sound of my phone alarm and look around the room. I glance back to the clock and see it is 7:00 AM.
I have been at Amber's for a week and a half now and I still haven't found a job or a place to live. I almost feel like I am becoming a burden, but every time I ask she assures me that I am not.
I miss Kalinda terribly and I haven't talked to her since the day that I arrived, and that was only to inform her that I made it here safely. I don't know why I haven't since then, maybe it is just because I am afraid that if I talk to her I will miss her more than I already do.
I hope she is doing ok. I think as I sit up in the bed. Damon better be looking out for her. I think as I swing my legs over the side of the bed.
There is a knock at the door which pulls me out of my thoughts.
I stand up, walk over to the door, and then open it.
"Breakfast is ready," Amber informs me.
"Ok, I will be down in a few minutes," I say.
"Alright," she says and then walks away.
I close the door and sigh as I walk over to the closet. Once I reach it, I look through it and quickly pick out a shirt. I then walk over to the chest and pick out a pair of jeans as well.
I quickly change out of my night clothes and put on the clothes I had picked out.
Once I am dressed I exit the room and make my way to the bathroom. I quickly do my hair and then make my way down to the kitchen.
"It smells delicious," I say as I enter the kitchen. I look and see that she has eggs, bacon, and home fries set out on the table.
"Thank you," she says with a smile as I take my seat across from her.
"So do you have any job interviews set up for today?" she asks trying to start a conversation.
"No not today, but I am going to go look around at some of the places I found in the newspaper that are hiring," I say and then take a bite of my eggs. "And I think I may go house searching too."
"Well, I hope everything works out. I will be at work until 9:00 tonight, so feel free to eat anything in the house or do whatever you want to do," she says and then eats some of her food as well.
"Thanks," I say with a smile.
She has been so nice and it has been so long since we have seen each other or talked. I think. I can definitely say that she is my best friend. She hasn't even really changed one bit, which I am glad because she is great the way she is.
There isn't really much talking after that.
"Breakfast was really good," I say as I stand up to rinse my plate while taking hers.
"Thank you," she says with a smile, "I can do the dishes, don't worry about. As I have told you numerous times you are a guest," she says frustrated that I won't listen to her no matter how many times she says it.
"I know, but I like doing it. I feel like it is the least I can do for you letting me stay here," I say as I turn on the water.
"And as I said before it is no trouble," she says walking over and standing beside me.
"I know, but still," I say washing off one of the plates.
I am not going to lose this time, I will wash these dishes whether she likes it or not! I think as she reaches for the plate.
"Paige," she says like a mother talking to a child as I pull the plate out of her reach.
"Really Amber, it is ok. Go get ready for work. I honestly don't mind. I know you don't like that I am doing it because I am your guest, but please," I say getting more annoyed than I already am.
I have repeatedly tried to help out around the house, but she has repeatedly turned me away, and I just can't take it anymore. I want to help, at least for the rest of the time I am going to be here.
"Paige…" she starts again but I cut her off.
"Please," I say with a puppy dog face.
She sighs and I can see that she is annoyed and angry, but oh well.
"Fine," she says through her teeth, "But this all I am letting you do," and with that she walks away.
I sigh and quickly finish up the dishes and put them away.
"Alright, I am off to work," Amber says coming back down the stairs after a little while.
I glance at the clock on the wall and see it is 8:15.
"Ok, have fun." I say as I follow her over to the front door.
I found out when I arrived here that she had gotten a job as a lawyer.
"Oh yeah," she says rolling her eyes. "Good luck with job hunting and house searching."
"Thanks," I say and soon after she is out the door.
I sigh as I make my way to the living room and sit on the couch.
I really do not need to find a job. With all the money that was left to my sister and me, we are pretty much set for life. I just like the way it feels to work for your own money and the sense of accomplishment you have once it is in your hands. I also do not want my college degree to go to waste either. I have been frantically looking for jobs that involve music teachers. I had been hoping to find a job at one of the schools around here, but none of them are hiring. I also have been hesitant to buy a house until I have a job too, because I wouldn't want to buy one too far away.
I grab the newspaper off of the coffee table, and flip to where I had circled places that were hiring. None of them had anything to do with what my degree is in, but a job is a job.
Hmmm, what place should I look into first? I think as I continue to look at the newspaper. The bookstore seems like it would be fun. I think as I read their hiring add. Alright, bookstore it is. I think as I stand up from the couch and make my way to the room Amber is letting me stay in.
Once I reach the room, I grab my purse off the bed post and grab my jacket out of the closet. I check to make sure that my car keys are in my purse, and once I confirm they are, I make my way out of the room and downstairs.
After I make it downstairs, I quickly go to the front door, put my shoes, and exit the house.
I walk over to my car and quickly hop in and start it up.
I look at the newspaper I had made sure to grab, for the directions to the bookstore. It is in town which is about 30 minutes away, give or take, depending on the traffic.
I quickly back out of the driveway and begin driving to the bookstore.
Finally, after 45 minutes, I make it to the bookstore.
I quickly park my car and exit it while making sure to lock it.
I look up at the sign for the name of the bookstore that reads, Lost in Imagination, and smile.
I mean it is not a job dealing with my degree, but I do love reading so if I get a job here I think I would like it.
I take a deep breath and walk into the little bookstore. A little bell on the door alerts whoever works here that I have entered.
As I wait for someone to come to the counter I look around the little store. There is a section for fairytales, romance, fiction, action, and much more.
I definitely wouldn't mind working here. I think.
I also see that they have a little bakery in the store as well with tables for people to sit, eat, and read, and also a little section for kids to play and read as well. The walls have a forest painted on them with creatures like unicorns, deer, rabbits, and centaurs in it. It almost feels as if you are in a fairytale.
There are not that many people here, but there are a few. Some browsing the books, while others are sitting at the bakery section with books and their laptops.
"Can I help you?" A woman asks walking out from the back of the store.
"Yes," I reply while breaking out of my fascination of the store and walking over to the counter. "I saw your help wanted add in the newspaper, and I was wondering who I would need to talk to about applying for a job here." I explain.
"Oh, yes, just wait here for a minute while I go get the owner," she says and then disappears back into the back of the store.
Within a few minutes, she comes back out followed by an elderly man.
"Are you the one asking about a job?" he questions as he walks over to me.
"Yes," I reply.
"Nice to meet you," he says while shaking my hand. "I'm Ed."
"Nice to meet you too," I say with a smile as he lets go of my hand, "My name is Paige."
"Paige, this is my granddaughter Rosalinda," he says introducing me to the woman who had talked to me first.
"Nice to meet you Rosalinda," I say with a smile while I shake her hand.
"You too," she replies.
"My wife also helps out at the store, and I would introduce you but she is at the grocery store," he says, "Speaking of which, what time did she leave, Rosalinda?" he asks the woman.
"About half an hour ago," Rosalinda answers.
"Ah ok, well she should be back soon then," he says while turning his attention back to me. "Now, let me get you an application and you can fill it out over there," he says pointing to the bakery section.
"Alright," I say as he disappears to the back of the store again.
Within a few minutes he comes back out with some papers and a pen.
"Here you go," he says handing them to me, "When you are done just hand them to Rosalinda and if we think you should get an interview, I will call you within a few days," he says with a smile.
"Ok," I say and walk over to the bakery part of the store.
I take a seat in the corner and begin filling out the papers.
Once I am done I get my cellphone out to see that it is 10:30.
Hmm I got here at 9:30, so I have been here for an hour. I think as I stand up from the table, gather up the papers, and make my way to the counter.
"Here you go," I say handing the papers to Rosalinda.
"Thank you," she says with a smile.
"You're welcome," I say with a smile as I begin to walk over to the door.
"Have a nice day," she calls as I open the door.
"You too," I call and then step out of the store and make my way to my car.
"Now where to next," I say aloud as I get in my car and pick up the newspaper I left on the passenger's seat.
I look through the paper and decide to go to the antique shop, which is just a little ways away from the bookstore.
I start my car up and begin driving to the antique shop.
…
After about two more hours of job hunting which involved going to the antique shop, a restaurant, music store, and a daycare center.
I look at my cellphone to see it is 12:45.
Hmm, I am hungry. I think as I get back into my car after leaving the daycare center. Where could I go to get some food? I wonder as I look around at the town from my car.
I think I passed a McDonalds on my way here. I think as I start my car.
I back out from my parking spot and begin to drive to where I think the McDonalds is.
I find the McDonalds relatively easy, and go to the line for the drive-thru.
"Hi welcome to McDonalds, can I take your order?" the person working the drive-thru asks me.
"Umm I will have a ranch snack-wrap, medium fry, and a small root beer," I order.
He tells me the total cost and then I drive up to the first window.
Once I reach the window, I give the man my credit card and then he hands me my recite along with my card. I then proceed to drive to the second window.
"Alright, here you go. Thanks for coming and have a great day!" the woman says as she hands me my bag of food and drink.
"Thanks, you too," I reply and then drive away.
I then drive to a parking lot at a grocery store and find a parking place so I can eat my food.
Once I finish my food, I glance at the clock on my car's radio and see it is now 2:00.
I wonder what I could do now I mean I got to all of the places I had circled. I think. I could go house searching, but eh, I don't want to until I have a job. I think as I look out my car window.
As I am staring out my car window any idea pops into my head.
I should go visit mom and dad's grave, I mean I am out now and I want to check the flowers we planted there. I think. I also want to see if anyone has bought the property yet. It is only an hour and a half away from here. If I leave now I could get there by 3:30 depending on traffic and besides Amber won't be home until 9:00 so I have time. I think.
I become sad as I think about it though. I mean I should go and see their grave since I am back and Florida.
I could get more flowers, fake this time, in case the other ones died. I think as I shift my car from park to drive.
Once I am out of the parking lot and onto the street I begin to drive to my old home and my parent's grave. I will get the flowers when I get there because there is a florist near the cemetery.
I turn my radio up and sing along with the songs I know that come on.
Finally after driving for two hours, traffic was terrible, I make it to the driveway of my old house.
Tears start to gather in my eyes as I realize that I actually came here and am sitting in my car at the bottom of my old driving, going to look at where my house once stood.
Well I drove all the way here I guess it is now or never. I think as I begin to drive up my old driveway.
Once I get to the top of the driveway, I let all of the tears I had been holding in, out.
I look at the empty space that used to be filled with my house and I just can't take it. I begin to ball as I remember the day I came home to find our house in flames. It was also the same day that my parents died.
I remember pulling into the driveway and seeing all of the fire trucks and firemen, along with ambulances and paramedics, and watching the orange and yellow flames spread throughout the house. I remember jumping out of the car and running toward the firemen who were trying to put the fire out. I started screaming about how my parents were still in there, and that someone had to go in and get them. A fireman had to come and restrain me. After he somewhat calmed me down, he said that they had gotten my parents out but they had died of smoke inhalation. At that moment my world had stopped. I remember falling to the ground in a heap of tears while firemen and paramedics tried to comfort me. I then remembered that Kalinda was in school and hurried to get her. I calmed myself down enough to get her and explain to her what happened and I will never forget the look of sadness in her eyes. We then went back to the house and talked to some firemen and police officers. The fire had been ruled as accidental due to faulty wiring. After they gave us all this information we then found a hotel to stay at. The days following were filled with sadness.
I snap out of my flashback as I realize I had gotten out of the car and was now sitting on my knees in front of what used to be my home.
Hmm, I don't remember getting out. I think as I dry my eyes and try to calm down.
After I get myself collected I stand up and make my way back to my car. I reach my car within seconds and open the door.
I take one more look at what use to be my home, before getting in the car and driving away to the cemetery.
Before actually going to the cemetery, I stop at the little florist shop called Springtime All Year, and buy a few arrangements of fake flowers for my parent's grave. I buy an arrangement of pink, white, and red roses and blue, white, and yellow carnations. I also buy an arrangement that has tulips, daisies, and a bunch of other flowers in a basket as well.
I load the flowers into my car and continue the drive to the cemetery.
Once I reach the cemetery, I park the car, grab the flowers, exit the car, and begin walking toward my parent's grave.
As I am walking toward their grave the song Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, from Phantom of the Opera, pops into my head.
I let out a little sad laugh.
Of course I would think of something like that. I think as I finally reach their grave.
I look at the gravestone and tears well up in my eyes. I look at the picture in the center of my mother and father together that we had, had put on it. They are holding hands and smiling. It is a simple picture, but it still shows how much they loved each other.
It was taken when we went on vacation to California, which was actually our last vacation before they passed away. We were there for the beach and to also go to Disneyland, which is the location of the picture. It is in front of the castle.
A sob escapes my throat as I continue to look at the picture.
"I miss you mom and dad," I say as I crouch down in front of the gravestone. "I can't believe you are gone," I say through my sobs. "I am sorry that I haven't come around more, but Kalinda and I had moved to Virginia," I explain to them.
As I mention this I begin to sob even more
"W…we j-just couldn't handle it and we wanted t-to leave the sadness behind," I explain, "I am so sorry," I say as I wipe my nose on my sleeve. "I haven't b-been a v-very good big sister either," I say while still sobbing. "I l-left her in Virginia because I didn't want t-to live there anymore, b-but there are people there looking a-after her and she is 18 but…" I stop to catch my breath, "but that is s-still no excuse. I k-know I should still be there w-with here b-but I just I can't live there anymore."
I put the flowers down on the ground beside me and put my face into my hands after saying that.
I continue to weep into my hands until I finally compose myself again to talk.
I take a deep breath while wiping my eyes and continue to talk. "She is ok though, I know that the people that are looking after her are doing t-the best they can and won't let anything h-happen to her," I say reassuringly, "You know she is going to be 19 at the end of the week…" I stop talking as soon as I say that.
How could I forget about her birthday until now! I think angrily. I am going to have to go back to Virginia just for her birthday.
"You know what mom and dad, I am going to go back and be with her, at least for her birthday," I tell them with a small smile.
I pick up the flowers I had set beside me and put them in front of my parent's grave, seeing that the ones we had planted died. I put the roses on my mom's side of the grave, the carnations on my dad's side, and the flowers in the basket in the middle of the grave.
I stand up and put a hand on the top of the grave.
"I love you mom and dad, and Kalinda does too," I say and then walk away to my car.
Once I get back to my car, I pull out my cellphone and dial Kalinda's number.
"Please pick up," I say aloud as I start the car.
"Paige?" Kalinda questions as she picks up.
"Hi Kalinda," I reply.
"Is something wrong?" she questions.
"No, no," I assure her. "I am sorry I haven't called you since I've been here, but I was just afraid if I did it would make me miss you more," I explain to her.
"It is ok," she says, "I am just glad that you are doing ok. So what did you call about?" she asks, changing the subject.
"Actually, I called to tell you that I am going to come back up to Mystic Falls for your birthday Friday," I tell her, "I will leave tomorrow since it will be Wednesday, and depending on traffic I could even get there by Thursday night."
"Oh," Kalinda says, "Are you sure? You don't have to come back just for my birthday."
"No I am sure," I tell her.
"Ok, well that is great! I will see you when you get here. I got to go, goodbye Paige," she says.
"Bye," I say and then she hangs up.
I hang up as well and then glance at the car's clock to see it is now 6:00.
Wow, didn't realize it was that late. I will have to make sure I get something to eat on the way back to Amber's. I think as I been to drive.
…
By the time I get back to Amber's it is 8:30. I would have gotten back sooner but I decided to eat inside at a restaurant.
I will have to make sure that I tell Amber I am leaving tomorrow. I think as I walk into the house.
I walk into the living room, sit on the couch and turn the TV on, waiting for Amber to get home from work.
Finally at about 9:30, Amber gets home.
"Hey Paige are you here?" she questions as she closes the front door.
"Yeah," I call and walk over to where she is.
"So any luck with the job hunting or house searching?" she questions as she takes off her shoes and hangs up her coat.
"I got applications for all the places I found and should know within a few days if I will get an interview with any of them," I tell her, "And I didn't go house searching, actually after I looked for jobs I went to where my old house was and visited my parent's grave."
"Oh," she says and I can tell she doesn't really know how to respond to what I said. "Are you ok?" she questions as she puts a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah I am doing ok," I reply with a small smile, "It actually felt nice to go and see them," I say, "Oh there is something I need to tell you."
"What?" she asks curiously.
"I am leaving tomorrow to head back to Mystic Falls for my sister's birthday on Friday," I explain as we walk to the kitchen. "I had forgotten about it, and then I remembered while I was at my parent's grave."
"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" she asks as we take a seat at the table.
"I am not sure yet but probably late tomorrow morning. I am only staying until sometime Saturday or maybe Sunday depending on what I feel like doing," I say, "I will call you when I am getting ready to come back. I need to go pack some clothes though and get to bed," I say standing up. "I will talk to you more tomorrow before I leave."
"Alright, goodnight," she calls as I walk over to the stairs.
"Night," I call as I begin to walk up them.
When I reach the room she is letting me stay in, I grab my suitcase from under the bed and begin to put some clothes and other things into it.
Once I finish packing, I look at the clock on the nightstand and see it is 11:00.
Better get to seep. I think as I change into my night clothes.
When I finish getting ready for bed I quickly climb under the covers and lay down. I let out a yawn and close my eyes.
Soon enough sleep finds me.