1.0 A fresh start

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my very first legacy!  I’m very excited about it, and I’ve been having a blast writing and playing.  To my new readers, I want to thank you for checking it out and I hope you enjoy the story. 

If you are new to the story you wont notice the changes I’ve made to the first generation.  I think every writer gets better as they go along, and I’m no different.  I’ve decided to add a little bit more detail and pictures to this chapter.  I haven’t changed the story line in any way, so if you’ve already read through, there isn’t much of a need to do so again, well unless you want too! 🙂

Lucy Gallagher stood out in her front yard watched the movers as they drove away.

“Thanks again!” She called out, and watched until the moving van turned the corner.  She felt a surge of pride as she looked at her humble, yet small new home.

421 River street, her new address.  Her small house was nothing much to look at with its old tan siding, and blue weatherbeaten window trim, but it had a unique charm all on its own, and it was a steal for being in such an amazing location, right on the water!  Who could beat that?

She put her hands on my hips and gazed across the river.  What a view, she thought, the skyscrapers in the distance reminding her of Bridgeport where she grew up.  The thought of Bridgeport sent swirls of anxeity through her stomach, there were just too many bad memories there that still lingered in her heart.  You moved here to start over, Lucy thought to herself, and that’s exactly what you are going to do.  What happened in Bridgeport is in the past.  Keep it that way!

Lucy felt a gentle breeze blow off the river, and it comforted her like a hug.  This was just the fresh start she needed!

Heading inside, she took a look around.   For a fee, the movers arranged her furniture for her,  it was one less thing she had to worry about.  She didn’t have many belongings, but she had everything she needed.  She had managed to save up a small amount from her old job in Bridgeport, which wasn’t much, but it was enough to rent this small  home on Legacy Island.  It may be small, but it was now hers, and she was proud of it!

Lucy went around setting up her knickknacks and odds and ends.  she had a total of 4 pictures from her past life in Bridgeport.  The rest she took out the dumpster.  She picked up one of the pictures and held it staring down at the picture.  People always used to ask her, why do you have a picture frame with the default family photo inside?  It was hard for someone who wasn’t a foster child to understand.  Lucy didn’t know the woman in the photo.  Would never meet her, or know her name.  It was some random model hired by the frame company to pose for a photo, so you could see what your own pictures would look like inside.  When she was younger she used to pretend the red haired woman in the picture was her mother.  It used to bring her peace, but now, it only brought sadness and doubt.

With a sigh Lucy set the picture back down on the coffee table and went about digging the rest of her knickknacks out of the last box.

Lacking for entertainment as she was, and having no cable services hooked up, she pulled out an old book from her bookshelf. Having grown up in the foster system Lucy knew the soothing power of a good book.  She was a bit of a book-worm, having used books most of her life to escape the bleak reality of her world.  A good book could take you far from reality, and that is what Lucy needed now, a distraction.

loneliness however, needed no invitation to come knocking.  She put the book down on the coffee table and went to the window and gazed up and down the street.  There was a whole world out there, and she didn’t feel like a part of it.  Everyone had places to go, and people to meet, all Lucy had was an old book and bad memories.

She noticed a rather cute guy checking his mail next door.  Looks like she had a hot next door neighbor!  That perked Lucy right up.  Bonus! She thought with a little grin.

Being naturally a little shy, Lucy really had to work herself up to say hello.  He had a friendly smile, and an easy growing grin that put her at ease.

“Hi, I’m Lucy, I just moved in next door.” She smiled at him nervously.

“Its nice to meet you Lucy, so we are going to be neighbors aye?” He grinned.  “Presley Walker here.” He introduced himself.

They talked by the mail box until the sun started to dip below the horizon.  He was fun and entertaining, and they had a lot in common!

He invited her in for dinner and entertainment.  She happily accepted, glad that she had met someone so soon she could connect with.  Lucy was a little hesitant to trust, but she trusted her instincts and was usually right on the money with her first impressions of people.  She picked up no serial killer vibe from Presley.  He was the type of guy that what you saw is what you got.

She noticed that he kept looking at her when he thought she wouldn’t notice.   Lucy was used to attention from men, and was  pretty perceptive.  She could tell he was interested in her.  And although he was good-looking and fun to be around, a relationship was the last thing she needed!  She needed a relationship like she needed a hole in the head!  She had nothing but trouble in the past, and was in no way ready for such a big step.  All she wanted was his friendship.

“Take a seat.” Presley said from the kitchen.  “I’m just gonna whip us up a couple of chicken salads if that sounds ok.” He grinned with apology over his shoulder.  “I’m a guy, I’m definitely not a wiz in the kitchen, but I’ve never killed anyone from my cooking…yet.”  He laughed.

Lucy sat at the table across from Presley and dug into her salad.  Her stomach grumbled so loud reminding her that she hadn’t had a bite to eat all day.  The last thing she had eaten was fast food while still in Bridgeport., and that was early this morning!  She dug in, and reminded herself to go grocery shopping tomorrow morning.

As the sun set on Legacy Island Lucy said her goodbyes, and promised they would hang out again soon. She was happy she had made a friend, and unlike herself, she felt positive that things were finally going to be ok. She walked home across the small space between their houses and smiled in the dark.  It was almost too dark to see, but the lights from the bustling city across the river guided her steps home.

Her new bed felt strange but comfortable as she snuggled down under the comforter.  She hoped she would have good dreams tonight, after all she had been through in Bridgeport she deserved a night without bad dreams.  She closed her eyes and thought of Presley, and was grateful for the second chance in life.

The next morning after waking, and getting dressed, and a quick run to the grocery store,  she called Presley.  She couldn’t wait to see some of the new sights of the city, and she wanted a tour guide, and since Presley had offered, she would be a fool to turn him down!  They decided to meet at one of the islands many beaches. She was excited, Bridgeport may have been the destination if you wanted to hit up a night club, but it was definitely not known for its beautiful beaches!

They spent the day playing with water balloons…

And playing frisbee…

“Phew i’m exhausted.” Presley said taking off his shirt and using it to wipe the sweat off his forhead.  “Lets go lay down by the beach.”

Lucy laughed.  “Sounds good!”

Lucy stretched out on her beach towel and loved the way the sun felt on her back.  Beside her Presley let out a moan as he soaked in the hot rays from the sun.

“So tell me about yourself a little, Lucy.” Presley said lying down and covering his eyes with his arm to block out the harsh glare of the sun.

“there isn’t much to tell,” She said flipping over onto her stomach so she could tan her back.

“Well everyone has a story, what’s yours red?”

She looked over at him shielding her eyes from the sun.  Presley seemed like a great guy, friendly and kind, but how well could you really know someone after one day?  Was he ready to hear such a dark convoluted story?  So Lucy lied like she always did, weaving bits of the truth into the lie to make it more believable.

She jumped up, dizzy and weak from the heat.

“Want to go for a swim?” She asked shielding her eyes from the sun which was now at its peak, she swore she could hear the sweat sizzle on her skin like bacon on a griddle!

“I will later.” He laughed.  “The sun feels great, and I might take a little nap. Need to work on my tan.” He laughed.

“Well when you burn to a crisp don’t come crying to me.” Lucy laughed and turned toward the water which beckoned her.

The water felt amazing on Lucy’s slightly tender skin.  She pulled out one of the rafts she had brought and hopped on. She fell asleep on the River while Presley dozed on shore.

Lucky for Lucy, she was a redhead who could tan.  She climbed off her raft and made her way back up the beach towards Presley.

Presley was skipping rocks on shore when she pulled herself from the water.

“How was the water?” He asked

Lucy sighed,  “I feel a million times better,” she said honestly.

“So you fish Lucy?” Presley asked.  “I packed two poles, just incase.”

“I’ve never fished in my life,” I said honestly, feeling slightly embarrassed.  It’s not like the dozen of foster homes I endured as a child ever would take any of us fishing, I thought feeling sad.

“What? How can you say you’ve truly lived until you have picked up a fishing pole.  I’m going to teach you a valuable skill Lucy.  If there is ever a zombie apocalypse and there is a food shortage, you will be grateful to have learned this skill.” He laughed.   “Now watch and learn from the master!”

“Ok wise one.  I will learn from the master!” I laughed following along.

“I got a bite!” Presley bit his lip then stuck his tongue out as he made a big show of feeling in his fish.

“I think it’s the big one!  Be prepared to be amazed!”  He held up a little minnow proudly for Lucy to admire and pounded on his chest playfully.

Lucy tipped her head back and laughed “So much for the big one aye?” She said wiping away tears of laughter.

“Hey don’t knock it.” Presley laughed pretending to be hurt.  “When the zombie apocalypse hits, and you are starving to death, I wont share my minnow with you!”

“Oh how will I live?”  She pretended to faint from hunger.   Presley was so easy to talk and joke with, she was amazed just at how much fun she was having!

Lucy and Presley had a blast fishing.  Presley caught himself another minnow, but that was the only haul of the night.  They had a blast fishing and swimming until the sun started to dip below the horizon.

“I’m going to teach you survival skill number two.” Presley laughed.  “Fire building.  Unless you care to eat your minnows raw.” Laughter danced in his brown eyes.

“That’s just-Eeew.” Lucy exclaimed.

“Hey, I actually had to swallow a goldfish raw in my old fraternity.”

Lucy wrinkled her slightly burnt nose in disgust.

The rest of the night was spent by the fire talking and laughing.  She was careful to steer the conversation off herself and onto Presley who was more than happy to chat about his life’s adventures.

She learned a lot about him, and was growing to like him more and more, but only as a friend, as attractive as Presley was, she had to remember that for her, relationships never worked out, and she didn’t want to lose Presley as a friend.

Finally the night had to come to an end as the sun dipped below the horizon, Lucy yawned as she stood outside on the porch to say goodbye to Presley.

“I had a blast today.” She said honestly

“Me too.” Presley smiled.  “I hope we can hang again soon.” He smiled gently and moved forward like he was going to hug Her. She shrank back against the door frame, and felt terrible when she saw the look of hurt that quickly flashed across his face, so quickly that she may have thought she imagined it.  “Goodnight Red.” He said finally.

“Goodnight Presley, thanks again.” she waved and watched him disappear into the darkness.

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I hoped you enjoyed chapter 1, and continue on to the next chapter.  Again, thanks for reading!