As Days Go By
Episode One
Going Home
Saturday
The Hines Family – Moving in
Wendi stood looking at the house that she was so familiar with. She had spent countless hours in this small house; talking, having fun, hanging out with Morgan and his family. It seemed so long ago. They had lived here about 10 years ago when times were tough. Her son was 8 years old then, and her daughter was 6. They lived here for two years then Morgan found a job in Bridgeport. They moved away and Wendi had felt sad. She had wanted to stay, but there were better jobs in the busy city of Bridgeport. Riverview was just a small town full of farm land, two shipping factories, and some stores. There really wasn’t much to do in Riverview or really any good paying jobs. Most people worked outside of Riverview, or they worked in the factories. However, the factories were owned by the two riches families, The Kincaid’s, and The Cooper’s, in town.
She looked over at her children as they carried boxes into the house. Neither child was happy about moving to a different town. They were missing their friends and neither one of them wanted to start in a new school.
Especially Jorden; he was a senior this year. He hated the fact that they had to move. He understood that his father was laid off and couldn’t find another job in the town they had come from, but Jorden still didn’t like it.
In fact, he was angry at his dad for not being able to find a job. Jorden knew that his feelings were unfair of his father. He knows how the job market is, but Jorden just couldn’t help his feelings.
The only good thing to come from this, he thought, was the fact that he would get to see Shelbie Maze. He heard that she and her father had moved into her grandma’s house, which was right across the street from them.
Jorden couldn’t help looking behind him at the Maze house. He hadn’t seen Shelbie since four summers ago when he was 14 years old and she was 12. He wondered what she looked like now. They had always been good friends, but over the summers when he used to come and visit his grandma’s house during the summers, he really was excited to see Shelbie when she visited her grandma’s house during the summer too.
Over time, Jorden developed a crush on Shelbie, but he wasn’t sure if Shelbie felt the same way. He didn’t always see her every summer. Sometimes he would miss her by a week or two when they visited their grandmothers. And for the last two summers his parents didn’t have enough money to travel to his grandma’s house which was over 300 miles away.
He stood motionless for a moment as he stared at the Maze house lost in thought.
Wendi noticed Jorden staring off across the street and she followed his gaze. She too wondered about the Maze family. She remembered spending days over there too. Shawn Maze was Morgan’s best friend when they was in high school, but they had a fallen out. Wendi never knew why and before she knew it Morgan and her was married and moving to Bridgeport. She never understood why Morgan wanted to move so far away. Wendi loved Riverview. This was where she grew up, and had family, and friends.
She looked back at Morgan. He didn’t want to move back to Riverview, but knew they were getting evicted from their apartment and they were so behind on so many bills. He didn’t want to move back, but knew they also had no choice in the matter. He also was hoping to get a job through his old high school buddy, Cameron Appleton. His father run the Appleton Tower, which manufactured the Appleton computers.
He glance at the Maze house, but quickly turned towards his parent’s home carrying a box. Yes, it was a free house, but he didn’t like the ideal of living across from Shawn Maze. They had got into it right after high school and then again 10 years ago, when he had moved his family in with his mother and father for a brief two years. He didn’t talk to Shawn then. However, he knew Jorden was spending time with Shelbie, which Morgan did not like, but Wendi had said that no matter what Morgan and Shawn thought of each other, it shouldn’t affect the friendship between their children.
Morgan disagreed, but kept it to himself. He wasn’t going to argue with Wendi, his son, and his mother who was siding with Wendi at the time.
Saralyn walked out of the house. She was upset with the whole situation. She hated leaving her friends, and her boyfriend, Dustin Crane. She hated being poor too. They once had a nice life, now they was moving into her grandma’s old house that wasn’t big enough for them and they could only afford the old beat up car. She was surprise that it had drove them over 300 miles to their new home.
She hated her life. She hated the small two bedroom house, and she hated her parents for making her move, especially her dad.
Wendi looked at Saralyn as she walked towards the boxes, and suitcases stacked in the yard. They had unloaded the car earlier.
“Honey, help me with the kitchen stuff first,” Wendi said.
“I want to get my stuff first. I don’t want it sitting out here for everyone to see,” Saralyn puffed.
“Well, unless you plan to eat your bed sheets, I think you need to help me carry in kitchen items first,” Wendi said, sarcastically.
Saralyn rolled her eyes and grabbed a box marked kitchen.
Wendi knew her daughter was very upset about the move, but some things just couldn’t be helped. All of them were just going to have to deal with the new life, but personally Wendi was happy to be back. Even though she had hardly no family left, just a Great Aunt, ( that she hardly spoke too ), and a few cousins, it was still great to be back in her home town.
She picked up a box marked kitchen and carried it inside, smiling.
They finished packing all the boxes and suitcases into the house. They really had to sell about everything just to afford the move to Riverview. Luckily, Morgan’s parents’ house was already furnished.
It was a small house with two bedrooms. It had the master bedroom and then a spare bedroom with a cheap twin size bed in it. So, one of the kids was going to have to sleep on the couch.
Wendi dreaded telling which kid was going to be picked. However, she already decided to place Saralyn in the bedroom and have Jorden sleep on the couch.
It wasn’t going to be easy and she hoped Morgan would find a job soon. She too plan on finding a job. The kids were teens now and they could fend more for themselves. It wasn’t like when they were younger. She adored being with her children and loved being a stay-at-home mom, but times were touch and they really needed the money.
As Wendi began fixing lunch, she hoped Morgan and her could find jobs in town instead of having to drive 30 Miles away to Sunset Valley. Right now living rent free was nice. It was one less bill they had to worry about.
However, eventually they would have property taxes to deal with and she knew they would also need to get insurance on the house and property, just in case of anything bad happening, which she shook her head, trying to forget such thoughts. They already had enough problems without worrying about tornados, fire, or whatever else life could throw at them.
She knew Morgan was already thinking about selling the house, but she had told him earlier in the month that they wouldn’t get much for it and it wouldn’t be enough money to buy a new larger home.
The house was old, built in the 1920‘s and needed work. Plus, it was only a small two bedroom home. Yes, they needed a bigger house, but there was no way this home would get enough money for a new larger one, or even an older larger one.
For now, they was stuck in this small house, but at least it was already paid for. Even though, it seem she had to keep reminding Morgan of that.
Since the house was small and it had only been Morgan’s mom, Beth, and dad, Morgan Sr., who once lived here, there was a small kitchen table with two chairs. That meant two people had to set on the couch to eat.
“This is awful,” Saralyn complained. She hated moving and living in Riverview. She was missing her friends and her boyfriend more.
“Now, it’s not so bad here and maybe things will start getting better,” Wendi said, trying to be optimistic.
“Says you,” Saralyn hissed.
“That’s enough, young lady,” Wendi snapped, “I have heard nothing out of you for the last week, but complaints. We had to move. We had no choice and by the way this house is rent free. So, be thankful for that, other wise we might have been sleeping in the streets.”
Saralyn looked down at her food and didn’t say anything else.
Wendi was tired of Saralyn’s attitude here lately. It was time for her to learn some lessons about life even if none of them really wanted too.
Wendi did feel sorry for her kids. She knew how hard it was on them to leave Bridgeport and their friends. Friends that they had known for the last 8 years. They once had a nice three bedroom house and two nice cars, but a year and a half ago when Morgan was laid off from his job and then he couldn’t find any work after, it all changed. At first, Morgan searched and searched the job market, but companies were laying off, not hiring, and some were even going out of business.
Bridgeport was once a busy city full of life, but in the last several years, it had lost it’s life and the business started losing money. There were five banks in Bridgeport and one had closed it’s doors which in turn many companies financed by the bank lost their business too.
Luckily, Morgan’s computer company was still in business, but then they started laying off and no one in town was hiring. The economy was bad and getting worst.
Eventually, they got so behind on the mortgage of their home and car payments that they had to file bankruptcy which lead them to a very small two bedroom apartment building. Where they spent the next eight months of their lives, until they found out about the death of Morgan’s mother, Beth. It wasn’t easy, but they decided that since they couldn’t find work anyway and they were already two months behind on their rent and knew they were getting evicted, that they decided to sell everything they could and move the 300 miles back to Riverview.
The kids complained and argued and couldn’t understand why their dad and mom really couldn’t find a decent paying job. The kids had been use to a nice life with nice things and then they had to give up those things and now move 300 miles away from their friends. Wendi knew the kids were resentful of their parents and it really hurt Wendi to know how the kids had suffered in all of this.
But at least here in Riverview it was such a small town that there really wasn’t any bad neighborhoods. Not that it didn’t have crime, but it was nothing like the city. In fact, there hadn’t been a murder in Riverview in 20 years and it had been at the local bar between two drunks.
Riverview was actually really safe compared to Bridgeport. It was a nice small town where most people knew everyone. Wendi felt safer here. Her kids might not like it at first, but eventually they would realize the difference in life here too and grow to love it.
At least she hoped.
The Maze House
Across from the Hines House
Shelbie stood in the living room looking out the window. She knew that the Hines family had moved into the house across the street. It had been a long time since she had seen any of them, especially Jorden.
They had been such good friends when they were kids and early teens. However, it had been four years since she had seen Jorden. She wondered what he looked like and if he remembered her.
She rolled her eyes and thought, Of course he remembers you, silly.
She turned from the window and looked at her father who just entered the room.
Shawn Maze entered the room and saw the look on his daughter’s face. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Shelbie quickly said, then added, “did you notice the Hines moved in across the street?”
Shawn looked towards the window. Yes, he had noticed and felt dread at the thought of seeing Morgan again. Morgan was a shallow, self centered, selfish idiot. He couldn’t believe he had once been best friends with him.
However, he had also once been good friends with Wendi, but he didn’t know how Wendi felt about their friendship now since she did marry Morgan and moved away soon after high school and had children with him.
He would never ask Wendi to choose sides over her husband, but he also knew that Morgan and his argument had started over Wendi, even through Wendi didn’t know that.
“Woo dad, you should see your face!” Shelbie said, a bit amused by her dad’s expression.
Shawn came out of his thoughts and hissed, “Alright!” He knew that no one knew what Morgan and his argument was about, except for them. He never explained it to anyone and he wasn’t about too.
Shelbie frowned at him. “Now, what’s wrong with you?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he said, crossly and turned to leave the room.
Shelbie stood looking after him wondering what that was all about.
The Helms Family
Next door to the Hines House on the left.
Cora stood looking at the house warming gift that she had got for Wendi. It was a vase full of flowers. It wasn’t much, but Cora Helms wanted to welcome her friend home after all these years. They hadn’t seen each other in forever, but did keep in touch by telephone, email, and Face Book.
Xavier, Cora’s husband, walked into the living room. “What you doing, Honey?” he asked, smiling at her.
Cora smiled back. “Nothing much, just finished wrapping Wendi’s gift and debating on whether to go over there today.”
“I think you should wait,” Xavier said, “they just got here this morning. They are still probably unpacking.”
“I know, I know, but it’s just been so long,” Cora said, and walked over to Xavier.
Xavier hugged her and kissed her forehead. “I swear, she will be there tomorrow,” he said, smiling.
Cora looked into his blue eyes. “Ha, ha, you’re right, but don’t get use to it,” she teased.
Their son, Caleb, walked into the room. “What are you all talking about?” he asked.
“About going to see my friend, Wendi. She just moved in,” Cora replied.
“Oh yeah, I remember you talking about them,” Caleb said, “does she have any kids my age?”
“Sorry Hun,” Cora said, walking over to Caleb. “Her kids are 16 and 18.”
Caleb pouted a little and said, “I wish there were more kids around here my age.”
Cora, despite Caleb’s bad mood, smiled at him. He was such a cute boy and she knew how he felt. He was an only child and there weren’t many children on their block. There were two girls on the block who were his age, eight. He was a very sociable child who only got to see and play with the kids at school. He would occasionally play with the girls, Imelda Waldron, and Kirsten Lear on his street, but the girls spent a lot of time at each others houses. Every once in awhile, Cora would babysit the girls, separately, and they would play with Caleb.
“Don’t start,” Xavier said, looking sternly at Caleb.
“I’m not,” Caleb said, then walked off to his bedroom.
“Xavier, you know he just likes to be around people. He is lonely. He is a very sociable child,” Cora said.
“I know, but he spends all day around his friends at school. I don’t know why he is so lonely,” Xavier said.
“I know. Hey, how about we play a board game together? We can spend some family time together,” Cora said.
“Sounds good, lets play Yahtzee,” Xavier said, moving into the kitchen.
“Ok,” Cora said, moving towards the game drawer that they kept in one of the kitchen drawers that house the Yahtzee score cards, dices, a deck of playing cards, Phase 10 deck cards, and Uno. Almost every weekend they would play a card game, or Yahtzee, or a board game. Some times other family members would come over and play; like Cora’s brother, Dawson Sage, and his girlfriend, Penelope Phoebes, or Xavier’s sister and family, or some of their cousins. Some times it was a big affair to come over and spend the day playing games at the Helms house.
Cora love spending time with her brother and his girlfriend and her husband’s family. Her brother and her were extremely close. They were only two years apart from each other, but they acted more like twins. Dawson was 2 years older then her, but ever since she was born, he took to her and loved and protected her.
Xavier had two sisters and a brother who he is very close to and many nieces, and nephews. However, only his brother, Adam, lived in Riverview and he just lives down the street. Cora’s brother and his girlfriend had just moved in the block over. Cora and Xavier were big on having family over and spending time together.
Cora was hoping that maybe Wendi and her family would like to come over after they settle in and have a game night with them.
Cora called for Caleb to come to the kitchen. She was very happy with her life and she hoped Wendi was too. She couldn’t wait to see her friend again.
Growing up, Cora spent a lot of her time at Wendi’s house. Wendi and Cora both grew up in the upper class of the community and lived next door to each other. They had a lot in common, since both women as teenagers had fallen in love with boys their parents didn’t approve of.
Morgan’s family was between poor and alright, where Cora started dating her friend, Brice Lear, in school. However, Brice’s parents were upper middle class. His mother, Aurora Lear, was a famous painter in Riverview and every now and then had art shows of her work at local town events. She also sometimes sold her paintings and had art galleries in some of the nearby towns. She even once had one in Bridgeport.
Cora’s parents really wanted her to date a boy who was going to be a lawyer, or a doctor, but since Brice’s mom was a local famous painter, they didn’t complain to much about Brice, until they found out he wanted to be in a rock and roll band. He wanted to be a famous guitar player, like Slash, in AC/DC. He wanted his band to make it big.
After that, Cora’s parents wanted her to break up with him. However, Cora didn’t until she was 20 years old. She had dated Brice from the age of 16 to the age of 20 and had been engaged to him.
But that was another story and had happen over 18 years ago. Cora was now 36 years old and living a very happy life with her husband and child.
Wendi did go on to marry Morgan. They had moved far away and were now back. Cora hoped Wendi was happy too.
Cora sat down at the kitchen table and knew that Wendi and her friendship would only grow closer now that Wendi was back again. She hoped for good this time. Maybe, they could have family and friends nights.
However, Cora wasn’t sure about Morgan. She had known Morgan for a long time, but didn’t really understand why Wendi had married him, then moved away. She knew Wendi’s parents didn’t approve of Morgan, but it didn’t mean they had to move, or move so far away.
Cora always wondered why Wendi chose Morgan when they didn’t seem like they had much in common and they didn’t seem to be getting along very well in their senior year. Especially, since Cora knew there were several other boys interested in Wendi at the time.
'Oh well,' Cora thought, 'it’s too late now to change time.'
