Prologue: A New Beginning

I awoke to my name being called in the distance, "Sadie, Sadie darling. Wake up please. Its almost time for you to go."

My eyes fluttered open and I saw my grandma. I closed my eyes and thought back to the day it all happened.

 I was only eight at the time, when it all happened. I was sitting on the floor at my grandparents place waiting for mommy and daddy to get home. Someone started knocking on our door and grandma got up to see who it was, she opened the door and greeted two police officers. I looked at my toys and continued playing. Grandma invited them in and they took a seat on the couch. I still remember the cops small voice, "Blaire, you should invite your husband to this conversation." He swallowed and looked at me, "Sadie, can you join us too?" I shuffled next to grandma and we waited for grandpa. He finally came and sat down, "Hello Lieutenant Joe" Grandpa said then looked at the other officer, "Officer Paul, what brings you guys here today?" I looked at grandma then at grandpa and saw the dread on their faces. "Grandma? Whens mommy coming home?" I asked in almost a urgent tone. Wanting to be assured that mommy and daddy where coming home. Lieutenant Joe sucked in a deep breath before he let it all loose, "Mr. and Mrs. Green, Olivia Green won't be coming home tonight." He paused and waited for grandma to let up on the crying, "Olivia swerved off the road trying to save a deer. But what she didn't know was that the ditch wasn't a ditch and that it was a cliff. I'm sorry guys, Olivia was a good girl." I got up and ran out of the house, ran from the reality that struck me. Blocking out the cries from grandma and grandpa to come back. I got to the top of the hill and looked out. My mother is gone.

I opened my eyes to see grandma watching. I pulled myself out of bed and rubbed my eyes. Grandma looked at me and almost started crying, "I can't believe that the days past by so fast. I'm going to miss you, no laughter and no one to talk to. Sadie Marie Green, I love you." I took this all in and glanced over to see that my bags where all gone. "Sadie, Alex moved them to the door." I nodded and smiled.

I pulled grandma into my arms offering my shoulder to cry on. She stood there sniffling and crying. I looked her in the eyes, "Grandma, I will come and visit you! You can't get out of my life even if I tried!" She smiled and we started to chat.

"Sadie, I made your favorite food! Its on the counter if you want to go eat it." Grandma offered.
"Thanks. Hey, wheres grandpa?" I ask thinking that I should have a one-on-one talk with him.
"Oh, he is outside caring for the garden. You go and eat and I will go get him." She turned on her heel and left for the garden. I left my now bare room and went to the kitchen.

I gaze at our table and wonder if I will actually be able to move out. I grab a plate of waffles and chew on the idea of staying. I got up and washed my dishes to only find myself gazing at that table. So many memories filled my mind.

Grandpa came in and I walked over, "Grandpa! Can I have a word with you?" He nodded and we walked over to the carpet. "Its going to be so hard leaving this place. I have no clue on how I'm going to do it."

"Sadie, it will be easy! Just remember, listen to your heart. And make sure you plant yourself in one spot. Stay firm about what you believe." He offered. I thought about that for a bit nodded.
"If you think of it like that, then I guess your right." I smiled.

"I just gotta dig down into my heart and root myself to what I believe. I'll find things to do that make me happy. Like gardening, painting or even playing the guitar!" I paused and looked up, "Thanks so much grandpa!"

I pulled him into a hug. "Sadie, I'm going to miss you like there is no tomorrow. But I know that you will take care of yourself and make a living." He stopped and eyed me up, "Hopefully you don't need to work at the spa any longer. That job wont get you far." He chuckled and I couldn't help but laugh too.
"Sadie! Alex! Come outside! Lets take one more family photo!" Grandma said. We went outside and grandma forgot her camera!

She went to go in and I called Grandpa out.
"Sadie! I need help moving this chair! It's to heavy for me!" He cryed out. I ran over and picked it up.
"I got it grandpa, you just get outside. I grunted and finally managed to get the chair down the steps. I sat it down and grandpa took a seat. Grandma told me to sit down and to get ready.
"1....2.....3!" Grandma ran to her spot and pulled a pose.

Grandma and I ran to the camera, "This looks great! What do you think?" Grandma and I both said. I started to giggle. I looked at my watch and sighed. Almost time to go. The sun started to go down and I looked over at them. "Shall we say our goodbyes?" I asked.

"Sadie, I think that without you being in this home when we all had the loss that maybe I wouldn't be here today. I'm glad you lived here as you gave me a purpose in life. I hope you will keep us in your lives. And remember, plant yourself in one place and..." Grandpa looked at me.

I pulled him in for a hug, "And stay true to who I am. You know that I will." I pulled away and I saw a tear fall from his cheek. I started to wipe the tears off and he only smiled at me, "You are loving just like your mother Sadie." He added. I nodded and Grandma came over.

"You will be a great mother, that is if you choose to do so. And I hope you will. Did you know that your mother was part of a legacy. We called it the Green legacy and we would like you to start your own. Here is a book to keep track of your life in." She passed me a beautifully leather bound book with a yellow satin ribbon. "Remember, however hard it gets, just keep pushing on. Never give up the fight!"
I smiled, "Thanks for the book you guys. I can only imagine what I will write in it!" I pulled grandma into a hug.

"Wow, this really is for real isn't it?" Grandma looked at me.
"Yeah, I need to stand up on my own two feet. I'm glad that you guys took me in and I am very thankful for that." I sighed, "I guess I should call a cab. Where did you say Mothers old home was?" I asked in a wondering voice.
"Down the road and over the bridge, go a couple of miles and you will be there." Grandpa instructed, "It will probably need a makeover as I don't imagine that it will be up to your standards." I agreed at that and I knew that I had about $8,000 to spend.

"Hello. Cab for one please......over the bridge and down the winding road...... Tea-cup cottage......Okay!" I looked at my grandparents as they went up the steps.

I put my phone in my pocket and watched them wave. I waved back and watched the road for my cab. Tears rolling down my face.

The cab pulled up and I got in. "I love you Ma and Pa!" I watched them as we drove. We got around the bend and I stopped looking.

This drive is the longest ever. I can only imagine what this house looks like. I wait out the long ride and get out when I get there. It needs work... and fast!

I walk up the walkway and into a new life.