Cherry Blossom

Chapter 1

Woody Glades

It never rains but it pours. The truth of that saying is crushing. Vicious whispers and snide looks have chased after me relentlessly and they still do. The day I came to this town was the day I had put my past behind me or so I thought.

Someone was hobbling along the road, hunched over a walking stick, someone whose tongue wagged and lashed twice as fast as her gait was slow.  That mean old gossip!  If only the Grim Reaper would take her away!

Mrs. Oden had never desisted in her attempts to poison the minds of the neighbors against me.  Look at her owlish face, withered by time and distorted by the malice of her tongue.  If only I could wring her scrawny neck, legally, that is!  She made it her business to pry into every newcomer’s history.  Mine must have given her a good many hours’ gloating.  Aye!  I can imagine her cackle and the knowing gleam in her rat-like eyes.  Whenever I had the misfortune to meet her on the road, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, the sidelong glance she gave me, the usual I know, I know what you are look.  Yes, thanks to her, these days eyes turned wherever I walked but they weren’t compliments.  The smirks, the snide looks, they polluted me.  Those slimy lechers!

God!  Why the hell can’t they leave me alone!

Sue!! What’s wrong? Something happened?

I didn’t realize I had spoken aloud.  My flat mate was perturbed by my outburst, but I couldn’t hold back.

They talk of decency!  But they deny me the right to an ordinary life in this so-called decent township!

Sue.... Sue, let’s have a cup of tea and talk about what’s bothering you. Now you just sit back and relax while I make us some tea.

Oh, Ruby, thanks but I’ll be alright in a moment.  Look, be a dear and get me a burger and chips okay?  Please??

I wasn’t hungry but I wanted to be left alone for a while.  I didn’t feel ready to talk and if I know Ruby, she’ll soon have everything out of me.  She gave me a quizzical look.

Alright, Sue but promise you’ll tell me what’s wrong later.

I grinned.  I promise.

But I knew what promise meant. It was relative, especially to Ruby, with her promise you’ll do this, promise that.... etc. etc.

Dear sweet Ruby! Always a source of comfort and understanding, despite her impetuosity.  She was twenty years old and doing very well as an interior decorator. How lucky I was to have met her.

It was a hot sultry afternoon when I arrived at Woody Glades. The station was jammed with people, porters and baggage. Everyone had someone or other who either met them or saw them off. A young couple had grabbed my attention.  He was hugging her and she kissed his cheek.  The girl was very young with a tousled mop of hair and the man, though good looking had a long scar on his forearm.  I don’t know why I noticed the scar.  It looked like a knife-inflicted one.  Suddenly my throat constricted, and I turned away, feeling