Sincerely, Yours

Chapter 1

Kassandra Mills entered her house quietly. She stood in the living room and put her luggage down. It felt good to be back home, she thought as she looked around. Family pictures on the walls, memories of a better time. "Kassie?" Her thoughts were interrupted. She turned around and saw her mother standing there with her waitress uniform. She probably just got back home from a double shift at the diner. "What are you doing here?"

"Mom." She said running to her mother and hugging her tight, taking in the smell of fried food. "I had a few days off and I missed you. How was work? Is Robert here?"

"Your brother's asleep, he took a double shift tonight. You know how work is down there. It seems Robert and I are the only ones that work there. We are always short staffed. You must be hungry. Come, let me make you something." Terri Mills said, walking towards the kitchen.

As Kassandra followed her, she remembered other times. When her father, John, was still there. He owned a gas station. Their lives were better, her mother didn't have to work so many long hours. Financially, they were better. They were happier. That was until John met Aurora Hunter. She was a young widower that came into town to cause trouble. John fell in love with her, sold the gas station and took off with Aurora, out of town, never to be heard of again.

It was a struggle at first. Robert was still young, he couldn't work and help their mother, and Kassandra, still didn't understand what happened. Their mother started working longer hours and as soon as Robert turned sixteen, he dropped out of school and started working as a cook at the diner with his mother. At sixteen, Kassandra wanted to help and get a job too, but they forbade it, they wanted her to concentrate on her studies so she could go to college. And that's how it went. She went off to college, it had been a year since she left.

"Mom, you must be exhausted. I'll make myself something." Kassandra said as she pulled her mother away from the stove and into a chair. "You must be hungry too."

"I ate at the diner. I'm just so tired. Would you mind if I just go lay down for a little bit. I'll make you dinner tonight, your favorite."

"Go ahead, mom. I'll go lay down for a bit too after I'm done."

After making herself breakfast and cleaning up. She went and grabbed her luggage from the living room and headed for her room. When she opened the door, everything was as she left it. Pictures of her friends on her mirror. Her bed, filled with plush toys. She dropped the luggage and just threw herself on the bed and fell asleep.

A couple of hours later, she stretched on the bed and felt someone in the room. She quickly got up and saw Robert sitting on the chair next to her desk. "Robert!" She yelled running towards him to hug him. He hugged her tight and then slowly pushed her aside.

"I'm not mom, Kassie. What are you really doing here?" He asked.

"What do you mean? Like I told mom, I had a few days off and I missed you guys."

"In the middle of the semester? That doesn't seem right."

"Robert, I'm here to see you guys. Can't you be happy, at least?"

"Don't get me wrong. I am happy to see you. But something smells fishy."

"Guys, dinner is ready!" Terri yelled from the kitchen.

"You're being silly, Robert. Come on, let's go, I'm starving." They walked into the kitchen and Terri had already set up the table and was placing the plates on the table. "Oh my God, mom. It smells delicious."

As they ate, they told Kassandra about all the town gossip she had missed. They asked her about school and if she had any new friends or dating anyone. She didn't tell them, but college for her hadn't been easy. She didn't make any friends and the only guy that asked her out was on a dare.

"So, what are you going to do tonight while we are at work?" Terri asked. "Aren't all your friends away at college?"

"Not all of them. German, he is still here." Terri and Robert looked at each other worried. "What, what is it? Did he leave too?"

"Not exactly." Terri said.

"He has a job now. Always at work, always busy." Robert said.

"Work? Why would he have to work? That family has everything. Did something happen? Last time we spoke he didn't say anything."

"Not that I know. Sorry, you won't be able to see him while you're here. I know how close you two were." Robert said getting up and placing the plate on the sink.

"Where is he working? Maybe I can stop by."

"No, I mean. I'm not sure. All I know is that he's a bartender in a seedy bar. Not a place for you. Well, I'm off to work. You coming, mom?"

"I'll be right there." Terri said as Robert left the kitchen.

"Mom, Robert is lying to me. I know it. What is going on? Is German ok?"

"Sweetie, a lot of things have changed since you've been gone. We think it is best if you stay away from German while you're here, okay?"

"Mom, German is my best friend. It's not your choice if I see him or not. Where is he working? I'll find it by myself if you don't tell me."

"I warned you, things are different now, please, I'll tell you, but don't go. He's at Nightingales."

"Nightingales? His dad owns that club. It's a really nice club. Why did Robert lie to me?"

"Promise me you won't go. I have to go." Terri said as Robert honked the horn outside.

"Have a nice shift, mom."

As they left, Kassandra ran to her room and looked through her clothes. She must have something nice to wear to the club. She had to see German, they had been friends since kindergarten. They have always been inseparable. He's the one to convince her to leave town and go away to college. But a couple of months ago, the letters and calls stopped. She needed to see him, something was going on. She found a short black dress, did her makeup and hair and headed out. Luckily the bus stop was close by and could take her right across the street from the club.