So, I wrote this story for a class, found it in my folders, and decided to share it! Enjoy :D (or not, you're choice...)
Learning Acceptance by Me
"You know you didn't have to do that, right?" Mary called as the door closed loudly in the cool wind behind me. With white hair, wrinkled skin, and a splattered apron, she was the image of a typical grandmother standing at the entrance to the kitchen. In reality, she was only in her mid-forties, but life had aged her beyond her years.
"Sure," I agreed, "but you know me, and you haven't even seen what I brought yet."
"Yeah, yeah," she sighed. "Just set it on the table and I'll get dinner ready." I complied and set the basket of groceries on the table. I swung my backpack off my shoulder and collapsed into a chair with a sigh.
"So, how was the hunting today?" Mary inquired with fake casualness from her position in the kitchen. Her voice had a tense edge of worry to it that I could only recognize from years in her presence.
"Not bad," I replied. "Not a guard in sight. Have a look for yourself," I offered as she returned. Unwrapping a hidden bundle from the bottom of the basket, Mary revealed the prize of today's hunting trip - strips of rabbit meat and the coins from selling the soft rabbit fur. After a good day's hunting we had enough to feed us until the traders from up north came in a few days. Hunting was illegal, but not strictly enforced by local authorities. She put away the other groceries and started to put the finishing touches on whatever was cooking for dinner. After a few moments, she looked up from her work and smiled mischievously at me.
"Hmm, now that you've gotten such a good catch, what're you going to do with your extra free time? You won't have to hunt for a while," she asked with a wink. I rolled my eyes and sighed, knowing exactly what was coming next. I also knew I couldn't stop her, or her delusions of my future.
"I'll happened one day, you know," she teased. "You can't just stay here forever. You need to go out into the world and experience adventure!" She continued on, her voice sombering. "I know you say that you want to stay here. But I don't need you to take care of me. You can't just avoid this. You're going to leave. Tomorrow. I got you a job in the city."
"What?" I exclaimed. I rose to my feet too quickly and knocked my knee against the table. "Ouch! You gotta be kidding me, right? Why didn't you ask me?"
"Calm down, Belle," She tried to soothe me.
"What're you going to do without me?" I ignored her, but she cut me off.
"I said, calm down, for God's sake! You don't have to worry about me. I lived by myself long before you came along." Mary's attempts at comforting me were a harsh reminder that I had come to her, not the other way around, and I didn't belong here.
"But," I started to protest.
"No buts!" She interrupted. I glared at her but she stared back steadily. Eventually, I broke off eye contact and whirled away. The door slammed again as I stormed out of the house and retreated into the comforting shade of my sanctuary. The dying twilight cast dappled shadows through the canopy of forest leaves.
When I heard the bubbling of the river, I knew I'd gone too far. Almost a mile from the house, I crouched down and put my head in my hands for several moments. I cursed and rocked back on my heels.
"Mary, you idiot! Why? Why do you have to go meddling into these things?" I whispered into the darkness, not really expecting an answer. The common nighttime sounds of the animals beginning their nightly hunt and the swaying whisper of the trees echoed back to me. My throat constricted and I swallowed roughly. Tears burned in my eyes, threatening to fall.
