Chapter 1
Gwendolyn Rivers
"What do you mean you 'took a small spill'?" I questioned my mother through the phone, trying my best to hide my irritation.
I loved my mom to pieces, but she had an independent streak a mile wide that often got her into trouble - especially at her advancing age. When she missed one of our two weekly phone calls I got worried and called one of her besties. They told me that she was in the hospital with a broken hip. After connecting with her and soundly scolding her for not calling me to tell me she was hurt, I started digging for more details about her accident.
"It was nothing really, sweetie, just a little fall. Nothing to get into a twist about," she said casually
"Mom." I insisted, "What happened?"
"Fine, fine." she huffed, "I was trying to clean the gutters and the ladder slipped. I fell and broke my hip. But don't worry, I have plenty of friends and helpers around here that I wasn't on the ground too long before someone found me."
"Mom!" I couldn't keep from yelling, "What on earth made you think cleaning the gutters, alone and on a ladder, was a good idea!?"
"Gwendolyn Kathleen Rivers. Don't you take that tone with me." she scolded
"Mom, we've talked about this. You are supposed to hire out big tasks like that." I said, exasperated
"I've been cleaning out the gutters for longer than you've been alive, young lady," she stated
"That may be, Mom, but Dad wouldn't want you to get hurt trying to do them alone," I said quietly
We'd lost my father a little over a year ago and to say that his sudden passing was still fresh was an understatement. I felt like a jerk using that to guilt-trip my Mom, but I didn't want to lose both of my parents if I could help it. Mom was silent on the other end of the line. She knew I was right.
"When are you getting released?" I changed the subject
"The end of the week. The ladies from Bridge are already working on all of their best casseroles. I'll have enough food to last me until wintertime." Mom chuckled slightly
"Who is staying with you while you recover?" I asked, assuming maybe one of her friends or that she might hire a nurse.
"Well, no one. Why?" she said
"Mom! You need someone there while you recover." I exclaimed
"No, I most certainly do not." she grumbled, "I wouldn't want anyone staying here, except you. The house isn't fit for guests."
With a heavy sigh, I said, "Well then I guess I'm coming home for a few weeks while you heal. I'll have to clear it with my boss, but I'm pretty sure that I can work remotely for a bit."
"Oh no, sweetie, you don't have to do that." Mom insisted
"You're not getting out of it, Ma. I'll be there by the end of the week. I'll even be the one to pick you up from the hospital." I said
"That's not necessary, Gwen." Mom said, "I already have a ride home lined up. I'll meet you at the house on Friday."
I was intrigued by the fact that Mom had already established a ride home, but I thought that I would just send whichever of her friends was helping her out a nice gift basket. With a shrug, I conceded and told her I would see her on Friday, and to call me if anything else happened.
After a brief phone call to my boss, I was able to take the time to go home and work remotely from there. I was grateful to have a job that I could essentially do from anywhere.
After getting back to my apartment, I started packing. It was only Wednesday, but I wanted to get an early start on Friday morning. The drive would take me about 4 hours and I wanted to be sure I was settled before Mom was released.
I hadn't been home in months, and for years I only ever journeyed home for Christmas. The small town I grew up in held too many painful memories. Most of them revolved around a certain tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed boy that crushed my heart. Pushing those memories away, which was the only way I could deal with them anymore, I got to work lining everything up in my suitcase. A little while later I made dinner and watched some old sitcom re-runs before heading to take a shower and get ready for bed.
As the hot water ran down my body, washing away everything I was feeling, I couldn't help but wonder what everything would be like now? I hadn't been home since Dad's funeral. Would my view of home be even more warped now? I reminded myself that I was doing this for my mom and that I needed to push through for her.
After drying off and throwing on some comfy PJs, I made my way to bed. Lying there in the dark, staring at the ceiling, I let my mind wander back to the first time I ever saw he-who-shall-not-be-named:
Gwen (First day of 3rd Grade)
I was so nervous. Dad had just gotten out of the Army and we had settled here in this small town in the middle of nowhere. I didn't know anyone, and I was scared I wouldn't make any friends. Being an Army brat will do that. I heard some boys laughing by the front door to the school building as I approached. I ducked my head, letting my blonde hair curtain my face.
"Excuse me," I said, just loud enough that they should hear me.
"Guys! Move out of her way." One of the boys said
I turned, pushing some hair behind my ear, to meet the most amazing set of deep brown eyes I had ever seen. They rocked me to my core, and I shyly smiled up at him. Even at 8 years old I knew that he would be someone important to me.
"Thank you," I said quietly
"Happy to help." He smiled back at me
"My name is Gwen, I'm new here," I said, surprised at myself for continuing the conversation, but feeling as though I could trust him.
"Well then, Welcome to town." he said with a wink, "This here is Fisher and Sherman." He gestured to the other two boys who nodded their heads politely at me, "And my name is Elliot."
"It's nice to meet you all," I said, shyly.
Just then the bell rang, startling me, and everyone moved to head to class.
"Hope to see you around, Gwen," Elliot called to me with a wink
"Yeah, me too," I said, feeling giddy as I skipped off to my class.
