Chapter 1 - Journey to the City

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The sound of the train rocking back and forth slightly on the tracks was adding to her nerves. This was a big change to say the least. A new job, a new city, a new life.

Stevie was 30 years old - and felt like she was starting over, she was starting over.

She was a country girl at heart and grew up in a small town. Her soul belonged in the trees in a Ontario forest, or by a river in the woods... maybe on the lakes where she fished, but certainly not in the bustling downtown of her province's capital. The fact that this train was headed for the big city - a place she swore she would never live, was proof of just how far she was straying from her comfort zone.

She was moving to the city to start a new job with the Toronto Blue Jays.... Well, partially moving anyway. She was holding on to the cottage that her family owned, the place that she grew up, near Huntsville and would be living in a condo downtown during the Blue Jays home stands. She thought maybe the regular escapes from the city would make the transition more bearable.

The phone buzzed on the hand rest beside her

"Hello, this is Stevie"

"Hi Stevie, how's the trip down to the city going?"

It was her boss, the head of the Jays Charitable Foundation.

"Well I'm still in one piece! And we're just rolling out of Oshawa now, so I should be arriving within the hour." She said as she checked the time.

"Great news, we need you in one piece." He laughed.

Stevie giggled, the rapport between her and Frank reminded her why she was doing this. Frank had practically begged Stevie to come and help him after he took over the foundation. There were personnel problems and he needed someone that he could trust to help co-ordinate the fundraising events with the players, and ensure that families were taken care of in the Jays Care booth during home games. He couldn't have any more problems under his watch and he trusted that Stevie could do the job better than anyone, even him.

"How are you feeling about all of this?"  Frank asked, with the nerves clearly audible in his voice. He hoped she would come around, that this would all work out. He needed her.

"You know, Frank I'm starting to calm down about it.... I'm obviously still anxious but I think this is good for me. After everything that's happened, I need to keep busy, and the fact that I can still escape from the concrete jungle on the regular...it's the perfect fit right now."

Stevie heard the sigh of relief come from the other side of the phone with her response.

"I'm so glad, and I agree completely, it's why I was begging you to do this, well that and I need your help."

Stevie smiled, then remembered that this was a phone call, people can't hear smiles.

"Do you want me to give you a call when the train gets in?"  She asked

Frank agreed and let her know that someone would be coming to get her things to move them into her hotel room. The condo that she had purchased wasn't ready yet, and she needed somewhere to stay. "I'm so sorry that the contractors haven't finished your place yet, hopefully it gets done soon and you don't have to live in a hotel for too long."  Frank said, knowing that Stevie was not a fan of city life, and that a hotel is not at all ideal. The two said their goodbyes and Stevie sighed. She looked out the window of the train as the moonlight hit her eyes, flickering between the trees. She smiled, "What the fuck am I doing" she thought to herself, letting out a chuckle. This was the biggest transition she had ever been through, and for someone who was change averse, it was amazing even to her that she had followed through with it all. She closed her eyes and decided to catch a quick nap before the train arrived. It's hard to be nervous when you're asleep....

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