A Castle in the Sky by Miranda Atchley

Author:Miranda Atchley [Atchley, Miranda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endless Stories Publishing
Published: 2016-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

When the train arrived in San Francisco the next day, Abi followed the line outside and into the train station. Once she made it through the line, she saw Mr. Stratton standing in the lobby waiting for her. Suddenly she realized how much she had missed the staff and ran toward the old driver, throwing her arms about him, which quite embarrassed bashful Mr. Stratton. Yet he put his shyness aside, for he was truly glad to see the girl once again.

On the ride toward the Hensley home, Mr. Stratton asked Abi questions about New York. What was her apartment like? Did she know any of her neighbors? Did she go to any shows?

Soon enough, they were pulling into the long, tree lined driveway of the Hensley home. Abi's heart pounded and she felt quite nervous as the auto drew closer to the large house. Somehow the house seemed bigger that day. She didn't know if her time in New York in her small apartment had caused this illusion, or if it was her fear playing tricks on her. Either way, the great, white house seemed monstrous that day.

Mr. and Mrs. Hensley, as well as a few members of the staff, were awaiting her arrival outside near the front door. She thought she could see smiles on their faces and was surprised by this, as she had expected them to still be angry with her. As she got out of the car and walked toward her mother and father, they each held out an arm to wrap around her, welcoming her home and asking about her trip.

The Hensley home felt the same, yet different, to Abi and she was surprised to find that was possible. Few things had changed; the same paintings hung on the foyer walls, the same sculptures topped the tables. She still felt familiar in this place, as though she could kick off her shoes and walk about barefoot; and it still felt draining to her soul for her to be in the home where she grew up. Yet what felt different was the fact that this was no longer her home; she felt that she didn't truly belong there anymore. She could go and come as she pleased; no one could force her to stay. And though that brought a tinge of sadness with it, it was also very liberating.

She followed Merriam to her old room. She hated it when the staff carried her things for her; it made her feel..... odd. Simply, not like herself.

Later that day, as Mr. Hensley finished some business in town, Abi and Mrs. Hensley had tea. As they sipped tea and ate the cookies Merriam had set out for them, Abi told her mother about her story being published in Lovely Miss magazine.

Mrs. Hensley simply smiled and nodded her head. "That's nice, dear."

That was it. No congratulations. No expression of pride. A simple, "that's nice, dear." It was as though she had told her mother that she found a darling new hat, though Abi felt certain her mother would be much more enthused over that subject.

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