Shady Acres

4 months from now As the smoke from the flames filled the room and burned her lungs all she could think about was the boys. If this is how I die at least I know they are safe, she thought as she saw one of the boys run by the window. Her mind switched to the man she loved. He will find love again. Please God don’t let him be sad and alone for the rest of his life. She prayed, trying to distract herself from what was happening. It was getting hard for her to stay awake; the ropes were too tight for her to get out of, that didn’t stop her from trying; however, she was about to pass out. “I told you that you would be mine, because of that i***t we will die here together.” The man said right before her body gave up and darkness washed over her. Everyone else in her life was safe that’s all that mattered. ******************************************* 3rd person POV A week ago “All Rise for the Honorable Judge Percy.” The security officer said as everyone stood up and the Judge walked into the room. She sat in her chair and let everyone sit down as well. “So, we are here today to start the process of the divorce between Mr. and Mrs. Miller.” She spoke up looking between the man and women sitting on opposite sides of the table in the meeting room. “Mr. Shawn Miller,” the early 20’s man with Brown hair and brown eyes stood up with a smile looking at the judge. He didn’t think the divorce would go through quickly, the reasoning that was given he thought wasn’t good enough. “it says here on the paperwork, that the reasons for divorce are Commitment, Conflict and Arguing and Infidelity. How do you plead with these accusations?” she asked. “The accusations are false, your honor.” He smiled smugly. “You may be seated,” the judge said turning to face Mrs. Miller. “Mrs. Karyssa Miller, it is?” the judge asked. The young woman stood up she has long brown hair pulled back into a respectable bun, she’s about as tall as Shawn, sitting at about 5’8”, Sunkissed skin, and amber eyes. She’s nervous but hides it well. She know the Judge will grant her the divorce, especially if she has read the paperwork Karyssa spent hours filling out. She could fill a book with the information they wanted from her, everything about their life over the past 5 years, the court wanted everything but blood. “I’ve read the paperwork you filled out; do you have evidence supporting your claims?” the judge asked. “Yes your honor.” Karyssa’s lawyer handed the judge the paperwork. Hours went by, the judge granted Karyssa the divorce, it was a cut and dry divorce. Karyssa didn’t want anything except her belongings, her car, and her bike; however, Shawn had to go back and forth with her about everything since she made more money from her book sales, but she won in the end. “Mr. Miller you have 30 days to sign the paperwork.” The judge said, she stood up and walked out of the room. ******************************************* Karyssa's POV present time Finally coming up on the sign “WELCOME to Shady Acres” I have never been so relieved to see the sign of my cousin’s land. The last year of my life has been a nightmare. Finally parking infront of the 2-story old, white farmhouse with a wraparound porch and a built-on garage that has an apartment/ guest room above it, I always found funny because they took the farm and turned it into an ATV riding place, but my cousins wife loved the house so much she refused to let him tear it down. So they have several newer building on the property and then their old farm house. Coming down from the front porch steps stood a tall 6'8”, buff man looking like a walking wall with blonde hair blue eye, walks out. “Karyssa! You finally made it! I missed you cousin” Palmer said engulfing me in a hug. “Yeah, court took longer than expected.” I said hugging him back. “Aunt K, Aunt K “I heard coming from the door, looking to see my cousins 5-year-old son Kolton yelling out of the screen. The cutest little boy with brown hair and brown eyes looks just like his dad but with his mom’s eyes and hair and she was standing behind him. “Hey Mr. Man., I’m coming in give me just a moment.” I said getting the bags I would need for the night out of the trunk of my Jeep. “Here let me get that” my cousin Palmar says grabbing my bag from me. “thanks” I respond. “Hey, I don’t know exactly what happen, but I am really glad you are here’, he states as we walk up onto the front porch. “When you are ready to talk about it, I am ready to listen.” Walking into the warm atmosphere of the home greeting my cousin’s wife Cat (short for Cathrine), has made for them classy farmhouse grey and white living room. Family photos line the once blank walls. I noticed there were some blank spots where there were once photos have been taken down. I know what those frames once held. When you walk through the door there are a set of stairs to the left and a doorway that leads to the hall to the right of the living room that leads to the kitchen, playroom, and mud room. “Good to see you, Cat.” I said greeting her with a side she looks like she is about to pop even though she still has 2 months left in her pregnancy. “Good to see you too Kar, I’ll let you get settled Pal will show you to your room and dinner will be done in about 20 minutes if you want to come back down about then.” She stated walking back towards the kitchen.” As I turned to follow Pal up to the guest bedroom above the garage there’s 2 ways to get to the apartment on is inside the house the other is up the stairs on the outside of the house. I always preferred the in the house way the outside stairs look a little rough, but I wouldn’t complain if I had to use those, I mean they are letting me stay here for free, I tried to get a payment agreement and they wouldn’t have it so I will just have to figure out some other way to pay them back. I notice that the apartment smelled like fresh paint as soon as Pal opened the door. “We didn’t know if the old color would bring up any bad memories, even though we don’t know what happen, but we decided to give the apartment a bit of a makeover.” Pal side as I stepped in. The apartment is an open floor plan that has the living room area and a small but functionable kitchen with 2 rooms off to the side, one for the bedroom and one for the bathroom. This is where me and my husband, sorry my ex-husband, would stay when we came to visit. It used to have the same color scheme as the main house, but now what was once a nice warm farmhouse grey is now very pretty pale blue still gives farmhouse vibes just blue. “Oh, it looks great, but you didn’t have to do that for me.” I sighed glancing at my cousin holding back the tears in my eyes as some of the memories come flooding back about times we spent here. “it was no problem Cat wanted an in-between project to work on anyway, some of your boxes are in the corner over there and some are in the garage. I’ve been slowly moving them up here when I come, I can help you unload your car after dinner. I noticed you didn’t have your bike.” The last part sounded more like a question than it did a statement. “Mom and Leo are bringing it with them when they come down next weekend for the cookout for the 4th of July.” I clarified just in case. “It was either let Leo drive it or rent a trailer, so I just went with the cheaper option, but I really do appreciate everything so far.” Pal pulled me in for a hug and with a gentle squeeze let go. “It will be good to have you here I know Kolton will be excited to spend more time with you and Cat always loves having you around, but ill get out of your hair” Pal said as he pulled out his phone. “Cat said dinner will be about another 30 minutes instead of 20. So, you got some time to settle in.” he said walking to the door and closing it behind him. I let out the sigh I didn’t know I was holding in. *Ding* I pulled out my phone to read the text I just got. ‘you cant just run off like this I gave you time and you give me a divorce once I get you back you will pay for the embarrassment you have caused.’ Hmm. Welp, I guess it's time to get a new phone number. Apparently, restraining orders don’t mean anything to some people. I walked to the first door when you walk in to start unpacking noticed that there was a basket on top of the dresser with a bunch of different items in it. Its Cats version of a welcome basket. However, what really caught my eye was the new journal that was front and center of the basket with a piece of paper sticking out of it. Pulling the paper out to see what it was. Kar, In this basket you will find all kinds of selfcare items as well as a new journal, I don’t know what happened, but I know it must have been rough to be moving away from your friends and family. When you are ready to talk about it, I am here, and I hope the items in this basket will help the healing process and who knows maybe you might get some inspiration for your next book during this next chapter of your life and that is what the journal is for. You are one of the strongest people I know and can get through anything. We love you and always have your back that’s why you are our children’s god mother. Cat. Tears started streaming down my face. I’m the Godmother! They never told me, all they said when someone brought it up was, they didn’t have to ask said person they knew she would do it without question. 30 minutes went quicker than I thought I said as my alarm went off.