Missing Star

Chapter 12

Marissa

Overall my to-do list was getting shorter as the days went by. I had the basics for my new home, I had gotten a work-from-home job, and classes had started. I would be the only 17 year old in my classes. Over the years at the ranch, I had taken dual credit classes and during the summers I had taken a full course load as well. This put me 7 years ahead of most people my age. All I needed was my lads and the MCATS to be done.

Once I was done I planned on moving as far away as possible and opening a small practice in a little town off the beaten path. Till then I was always on edge feeling like my family and Jerome might find me at any minute. I had so many locks on the doors and a to-go bag ready if needed. For the most part, though the mobile home park was quiet.

There were mostly elders that lived in the back with me and towards the fount where young families with kids. They all were welcoming to me and I never felt uneasy with them for some reason. Being close to males was the hardest part for me. Normally I would feel off with the older women because of the years of torment from my grandmother but no one here was like her. They all seemed to embrace me.

My first week here I was treated to a welcome party and was catered to. This was so new to me, I was used to being the one in the background not the center of attention. They had given me old bedroom comforter sets, extra blankets, and an old dresser. I loved stopping by Mis. Mary’s place. She owned the mobile home park but treated everyone like family.

This morning she was sitting on the front porch with her cats creating a new blanket for a baby that was set to arrive in a few weeks.

“Goodmorning, MIs Mary,” I said passing her house

“Morning Child… Where are you off to this early?” She asked standing up to walk towards me.

“Going to a lab,” I said walking up to her.

“You need to rest sometime, child you are helping the animals here in the park, going to school, and working. Where do you find time to sleep?” Concern crossing her face

I laughed “Don't worry about me, Mis. Mary. I do sleep, I promise you. I just want to be done with school sooner.”

“How much more do you need?” she asked

“While I just got off the phone with my adviser and if I finish my last two labs. I can take my MCATS by the end of the month. I’ll be the youngest Vet in the state.”

“While then… That is impressive. We need to celebrate with you.”

“I appreciate that but I'm not used to being the center of attention. How about I help with the surprise baby shower instead?”

“Can we at least have a cake for you as well??”

“I’m not even sure I'll pass the MCATS yet.”

“Ohh Stop that… In the month that you have been here. I have seen you do amazing things, I know that you're a hard worker and that you love just as hard. You will pass those tests, child. With flying colors, I have no doubt.”

Hearing her have so much faith in me gave me such a warm feeling in my heart. It made me tear up. "While if I pass we can have a cake, but that's it, promise me," I said pointing at her.

"Stubborn child… while if that's all I can do then I'll take it." She said walking back to her seat.

With that, I took off to my bus and was headed to the campus. When I wasn't around the mobile home park I was on edge all the time. Once I was in the lab I was able to settle down. I had two major lab projects to finish. Then my MCATs and then I would be done.

I had asked the local vet and ranchers for a letter to send to the board when I applied to be a medical veterinarian. Those letters and all my extra classes had paid off. I would have finished sooner if I wasn't always stuck on the ranch and then moved to Jerome's.

But now I was on track. I need at least two more weeks to complete the lads and a few advanced classes I signed up for that would take me another two months but they were online and easy for me.

In all, a year was the longest I would stay here to be safe.