Almost too Sterling

Chapter 1

   In a small town populated by 602 people, almost everyone is at least familiar with each other. Almost everyone  in this town are very poor, aside from very few. There is one thing for sure: Everyone wants to get away from this grey, wretched place. This is the town of SilverSpring.

   SilverSpring didn't always used to be such a small populated  town. Just 20 years ago, there were over 3,000 people whom referred to the town as their home. Since there were more people, there were more job opportunities. The town as a whole, was middle class.

   Back  then, the richest family in the whole town all shared a mansion. The mother, Dianne; the father, Ben; their daughter, Sarah; and their son, Nathaniel. They were the Vanwoodsons.

   Dianne had several psychological problems. Bipolar-depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Of course, she was prescribed medication, and received therapy. No one thought of it as a big deal; she seemed normal. Until one day...

   In the middle of the night, Dianne snapped. Not even her medication could prevent her from doing so anymore. Using a knife, she brutally stabbed Sarah and Ben in their sleep. Nathaniel, however, barely got away. He suffered a slice through his forearm, before escaping. Dianne fled the scene, and was never to be found.

   Twenty years later, and Nathaniel is  37, still living in the same mansion. He inherited everything the family had. Over the years, he's dated countless amounts of women, none of which stuck around. Once he gave them money, they all fled the town. They wanted to live somewhere better, somewhere that could make them much happier than Nathaniel ever could.

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   Summer in this godforsaken town has always been the exact same for as long as I could remember. Everyone is always even more miserable than before; the blazing sun smacking their skin. In all of my short 17 years of life, anything but exciting has happened in SilverSpring.

   The only people in SilverSpring with a good amount of money is Nathaniel Vanwoodson, and the people that worked for him. He'd pay someone 500 dollars a week just to read him the morning newspaper everyday. I never quite understood why he would stay in such a small town, with all of the money that he has. Perhaps for sentimental value.

     "Danny, today's our day at the Vanwoodson pool!" My mom exclaimed. "You coming?"

     "Yeah, of course."

   Nathaniel kept a list of the days each person in the town could go swimming in his pool. He has a rectangular outdoor pool, in which holds up to 14 people comfortably. Each group of people are able to swim for up to 3 hours, and he usually gets in 3 groups a day.

     "You ready?" Mom yelled from in her room, which was only a couple steps away from mine.

     "Yeah, let's go!" I replied, slipping on my old, black and white basketball shorts.

   As we approached the gate to Mr.Vanwoodson's pool, he stood there, holding a clipboard. He wore his normal lifeguard attire: Bright orange swimming trunks, a white tank top, a whistle around his neck, and black sandals.

     "Hello Danny and Christine." He greeted, checking our names off of the list. "You look lovely Christine." He winked at my mom.

     "Why, thank you." Mom blushed.

   As I walked uncomfortably through the gate, my mother followed. I am not surprised that the man would have such an affect on my mom. Almost every woman in town swoons over Mr.Vanwoodson. That scruffy beard, those piercing blue eyes, the almost-black hair, and of course, the money.

   As of right now, there were only three others in the pool. My mom sat in a white lawn chair, as I dove into the cold, refreshing waves. When I arose to the surface, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I pushed the strands of hair out of my face, and turned around.

     "Hey stranger!"' Violet greeted.

   Violet and I have been close ever since the 6th grade. When I first began middle school, I got picked on daily. The kids were so cruel and tormenting. Everyday they would yell awful things at me. One day, Violet, whom was very popular, suddenly stood up for me. She told the bullies that if they continued, she would  make sure that their lives were a living hell. After that day, I regained my freedom, and we became best friends.

     "What's Mr.Vanwoodson want from your mom?" Violet asked.

   I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, and turned around. My mom and him were giggling, gradually getting close.

     "I have no idea. Lately he's been flirting with her." I explained.

     "Oh! Romance! Hopefully she doesn't come up missing." She joked.

     "I hope not. You know my dad left us because he got money . It'd be weird if she just went with a guy with money."

     "Danny come over here!" Mom smiled.

   I sighed, and pushed my way through the water. I walked up the concrete steps, to see Mr.Vanwoodson still standing next to my mom.

     "Hello there, Danny. As you may have noticed, I don't get a lot of groups in a day to swim. Reason why? I do not have the time to watch people swim all the time. " He explained. "So, I propose a job opportunity. You could help look after the pool, and the people in  it. Would you be interested?"

     "What's the catch?" I asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

     "No catch, I just need help. I'd pay you 700 dollars a week."

   I looked over at my mom, who was giving a thumb's up. I glanced over at Violet, who was also giving a thumb's up. She had been listening in on our conversation.

     "When do I start?"

     "Great! I knew you'd come around." He patted my shoulder, "I will call and give you all the details soon. First, I will need to remake the schedule."

     "Sounds good."

   He held out his hand, hinting towards a handshake. I hesitated for a moment, then allowed it.

     "Call me Nathaniel." He told.

   He smirked at my mom, and ambled away.