More Than Money (#Wattys2015)

Chapter One: New Boy In Town

Gregory watched as his father packed all their luggage in the back of their black limousine, a very cross look on his face and his arms folded across his chest. He, his mother, and his father were all moving to America. And he didn't like it in the least. He wouldn't want to visit the United States, much less live in it.

He sat at the right window seat next to his mother, while his father sat on the left side. He stared out the window angrily as the chauffeur drove them to the airport. His mother noticed his expression. "Whatever is the matter, dear?" She asked. "Are you still upset about the move?"

"Of course I am!" He snapped, still staring out the window. "We can't even take one of the helicopters!"

"You know we're selling them, sweetheart. There's no place for helicopters in a place like Illinois."

"Then let's stay here, where we belong!"

"How many times must we explain it, son?" His father asked. "Living in America will be a liberating experience. Especially for a young lad like you."

"I don't care!" He finally looked to his parents. "I hate America!"

"How can you say that, my boy?" His father chuckled. "You've never even set foot in the place."

"Precisely. I was hoping for it to remain that way." He grumbled, looking back out the window, pushing his horn rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"Well I am sorry about your rotten luck. Because you are going to live there, and you are going to like it, whether you want to or not."

Gregory scoffed. "I will not like it."

It was dead silence for the whole ride, until they finally arrived at the airport. "We've arrived." The chauffeur spoke from the driver seat.

"Horacio isn't even coming along, is he?" Gregory asked, referring to the chauffeur.

His father sighed. "I'm afraid not."

Horacio opened his father's door for him, going around to open Gregory's. His father disembarked, his mother looking to Gregory before following. "It really is for the best, dear."

Horacio opened the door for Gregory, who jumped out and wrapped his arms around the chauffeur. "Can't you make them stay?" He asked with a shaky voice.

Horacio smiled, patting the boy's back. "I'm afraid it's out of my hands, Greg."

"Then come with us. Please." He begged, wanting not to part with his lifelong friend.

"I can't. You'll get along just fine without an old chauffeur around."

"No. I don't want to leave you." He felt hot tears stinging his eyes.

"Come now, I'm sure I will be able to visit you in America. Won't I?" He looked to Gregory's parents.

"Absolutely," His father smiled. "You're welcome any time, old chap. I trust that you remember the address?"

"By heart, sir." He returned the smile.

Gregory looked up at him. "You promise you'll visit?"

"Cross my heart."

Gregory took a step back. "Good. I'll hold you against that, Horacio." He smiled, Horacio laughing.

His mother gave Horacio a small hug. "What will you do now that you aren't working for us?" She asked.

"Retire of course, Miss Adena. I'm not quite built for work anymore, now am I?" He smiled.

Gregory's father walked up and shook his hand. "It's been a pleasure having you work for us."