And Then There Were Four novel Chapter 1

It had been ten years since I made my way back to Idaho.

My parents separated when I was five, and my mom tried so hard to stay around so I was close to my father growing up– but it didn’t work. After five years of being too close to my father, my mom upped and moved us clear across the states to Savannah, Georgia.

My mother, having been a southern belle all her life, loved the sweetness of Georgia, and everything it had to offer. In fact, the only reason she was with my father was because they had met in college, and before graduation she got pregnant with me.

That was why he married her– or kept her around at least.

Mom doesn’t talk about it often, and even though I get the occasional birthday gift or deposit of money in my account; I don’t hear from him. He always kept me at arms length which broke my heart at first, but eventually I grew to accept.

After some time he got married to my step-mother who had four strapping godsons, and a hatred for me I would never understand. The one time my father came to see me was at my high school graduation, and he brought her. We will just say that she was a stepford wife in the making, and if looks could kill– I’d be dead.

“Ivy! If you don’t come on you’re going to miss your plane!” My mother hollered from downstairs, causing me to sigh.

I had finished my first two years of college at the local community college until I was able to get the prerequisites done for the university I wanted. However, out of the five that I applied for, my least favorite was the only one to accept me.

And that one just happened to be located in Idaho– where my father was.

I knew the university had been the best for a degree in Agriculture but I didn’t want to be close to my dad. Part of me was still hurt that he had chosen my step-mother and her godsons over me.

I am his daughter– his blood.

Yet, it didn’t seem to be enough.

Grabbing my suitcases, I pulled them towards the door as I slung my backpack over my shoulder, giving my room one last look around. It was bitter sweet leaving, but if I was ever going to accomplish my dreams I had to take some risks.

Heading down stairs, my eyes landed upon my mother, who stood by the doorway smiling at me. I knew that there was a lot I could say to help change my mind about going, but this was important to her.

My mother would never admit to me she was sick, but after much snooping I had found the truth– stage two cervical cancer.

Treatments were supposed to start soon, and as much as I wanted to confront her and tell her that I knew and I was staying, I knew she wouldn’t be pleased. I didn’t want to stress her out more than she already was.

She wanted me to follow my dreams– and that meant without me worrying about her.

“It’s going to be okay, Ivy.” My mother said as she drove towards the airport, “I spoke to your father and he is going to meet you as soon as you get off the plane.”

“That’s good I guess.” I replied, staring out the window, unsure of whether or not I really wanted him to be there. To be honest, I would be surprised if he showed up.

Many times he offered for me to fly out there to see him. Even told me about the magnitude of personal drivers the company had that could take me anywhere I wanted to go. As if that was going to persuade someone like me.

“It isn’t going to be that bad, Ivy. I don’t know why you feel so negative over the situation. You barely know your father and his family. It will be good for you to go. Trust me.” My mother was adamant on me going, and I wasn’t quite sure why.

“My birthday is in a few months, and I won’t be able to spend it with you.”

“Is that really what you are worried about?” My mother asked as she turned to look at me when she parked the car.

No, it wasn’t all I worried about. I worried about her being alone through all of what was going on with her. I worried about something terrible happening, and me not being here for her. But most of all I worried about losing my mother, and never getting to say goodbye.

I couldn’t help but sigh, “I don’t know. I just have a feeling I am making the wrong choice.”

“Well, you’re not.” My mother’s tone took me a little by surprise. “You have to do this.”

There was no point in arguing with her. She was right to an extent. I do need to stop fighting myself on going to see my father. Spending time with him wouldn’t be a bad thing. At least then I could have a reason to hate him if he messed up.

My father was mysterious. He came from nothing, and ended up one of the wealthiest people in the country, owning big corporations on the west coast of the states that not many knew how he obtained.

Other than that small fact though, I knew nothing about the man.

As I walked into the airport with my mom, I couldn’t help but have a sense of dread wash over me. Something about all of this just didn’t feel right, and the more I looked at my mom I didn’t want to go. Tears sprang to my eyes as I thought of leaving her.

“I am going to miss you.” I told her softly, causing her to start crying as well.