The River Speaks

Chapter Three: April

Chapter Three: April

I sit at the window, watching the rain patter against the two giant buildings to the left and the right of my window.

There's probably a fifty foot gap between the two buildings. I watch the cars rush on the street and sigh, thinking of Ruby and my parents house.

I wish I was there. I miss them so much, but Elliot says they're bad news, so I don't talk to them anymore.

But how are they bad news? I don't understand.

They try to call me all the time but I send them to voicemail because Elliot checks my phone.

It's okay though. I don't really mind. He's doing it because he loves me.

Part of me wishes my family would just show up here so I can talk to them, but they're not really the city type.

Truthfully, neither am I. I'm the least city type of all of them. I moved to New York for college an moved to Hartford for a job, and now I'm still here because Elliot is here. He doesn't like where I'm from so he won't ever go there with me, no matter how much I beg.

My phone vibrates with a message.

April: hey lil

April: listen I know you don't talk to us anymore and I don't really know why but Mama and Daddy really miss you. I get that you're a busy city girl and stuff but it would be really nice for us to hear from you. At least tell us you're okay

I hesitate.

I get that you're a busy city girl

But I'm not. I hate the city with a passion. It's so noisy and busy and people are so rude and nobody knows anybody.

I think of my parents house and Ruby and the cattle and the chickens and the woods and Ruby.

I shut my eyes and I can imagine myself in the barn. I can smell the hay. I can feel my hand touching Ruby.

Does my family really think I'm some city slicker?

My nose wrinkles at the thought of liking it here.

Without hesitation, I grab my phone and text April back.

Me: I'm not a city slicker

April is my oldest sister. We have a brother, Noah, and he's thirty. April is twenty eight and then May is twenty six. I'm the youngest at twenty four.

When I see the word delivered under the message I just sent, I start to panic.

Elliot is going to be so mad at me!

I'm not allowed to be on the phone with people unless it's my boss!

He goes with me to the grocery store too!

Panicked, I set my phone down and stare at it with wide eyes.

Almost immediately, April starts calling me.

I haven't even heard my sisters voice in like two years. Or my Mama, or my Dad, or Noah or May. I miss them so much.

I feel bad because they're worrying.

How about I pick up the phone and tell her to stop calling me?

I nod and snatch my phone up, hitting answer.

"Lily?" She asks. I swear she's holding her breath.

"April, you need to stop calling me." I say quietly.