Not Alone For Christmas

Chapter 4- Four Years Later

Petra snapped on her locket she had gotten from Ralphie. It had been exactly four years since Ralphie left. She decided that today would be the day she would leave the orphanage . Mrs. Guthery had a rule that on an 18 year olds birthday, they had to leave, but the landlady would let them stay an extra three months if they didn't have anywhere to stay. It had been five months since Petra's 18th birthday.

She finished packing her suitcase and zipped it up, then eyeing her violin. She picked it up and decided to fill the orphanage with music one more time. She started playing on the aging instrument, performing a song she wrote herself titled "Holly Berries."

It had a happy tune, a quick beat with a few pauses, and she smiled as she played. It was one of her favorites she created and remembered Ralphie as she played, giving her the idea to actually write songs. When she finished, she put the violin in a case that she found squished under the spare bed. Heather's bed.

Petra wasn't quite so jealous of Heather now that she thinking about Ralphie and her life out of the orphanage. But, she had to stay in Philadelphia. She had to keep a promise. She wondered if Ralphie would keep his.

Mrs. Guthery came into the violinist's room. She was thinking of what she would do with this room. Storage? Remodel the room? Don't touch it?, the landlady thought as she entered the room.

 "Hello, dear," Mrs. Guthery said to Petra, "Ready to go soon?"

 "Soon," the violinist told the landlady.

 The woman walked over to Petra, giving her a large embrace.

"I've seen so many children come to this orphanage and none of them are a smart and intelligent as you, my dear," Mrs. Guthery told Petra, "and I'm sad to see you go."

Petra would miss the old woman. Through each of Petra's numerous years at the orphanage, Mrs. Guthery had been there, pushing her though, telling her a family would come soon.

"And I'm sorry a family never came for you," the landlady apologized, "but I hope you'll make your own."

Petra smiled at that comment. She hoped she would start a family, maybe with Ralphie, but she had to find him first.

"Well," said Mrs. Guthery, releasing the young adult, "you'd better go if you want to find him."

Petra was confused. She didn't know Mrs. Guthery knew about her and Ralphie, but she smiled at her in agreement.

"I should," Petra said, "but I don't know where I'm going to go."

"There's a hotel a few minutes from here," the landlady said, "I'm sure they let you stay for free for a night or two."

"Thanks," the violinist said, "for everything."

"No problem, dear. You should go on your way," the landlady then ushered Petra out of her room for 18 years. Petra grabbed her fairly small suitcase and violin case and walked down the stairs.

Petra gave Mrs. Guthery one last hug and stepped out of the door. For some reason, she expected Ralphie to be standing there, waiting for her, but she looked around and no one was there.

"Also, Petra," Mrs. Guthery called, "if you go to the hotel, say hi to Claire for me."

The violinist gave a smile and walked to where Mrs. Guthery said a hotel was and opened the door, hearing a ding of a bell.

"Hello, welcome to Dreamy Inn. Can I help you?" said a girl with short, black hair and thick rimmed glasses. Her nametag read "Claire."

"Uh, hi," Petra said nervously, "Can I get a room?"