Chapter 48: Resolute (Part 1)

Rose opens the bedroom door and runs inside the wide, empty space.

"Aaand, this is your new room." I say.

"Woah!" She exclaimed, "It's so much more space-y than my last one. Is this really our new house? Everything is so much bigger!"

"Yup." I look out the window and mumble to myself, "New beginnings, huh."

Whenever I'd say I always wanted to run away from Winterville, I was serious. I was always looking for new places I can escape to. This happened to be one of them and we both loved it, so this is what we chose. Well, that's partially because this is the only house I found. Because I started searching just about a week ago. Yes, I know, I still have my old toxic habits, but I'm trying! And this place wasn't bad at all.

"Is your room also as big as mine?"

"Mine is definitely bigger than yours. Sorry, Grumbly."

Rose gasps, "Not fair!"

"Yes fair. I will be starting university soon, so this big guy needs a lot of space too, y'know."

"I'm glad you're still staying with us even in college, Rhys. I'm going to really miss you if you went away. Where are you going anyway?"

I smirked at her, "The same university uncle Jacob went to."

Another one of the reason I wanted to move is because of that. I know I had this entire long episode of me not wanting to become like my ancestors or follow their footsteps. But now that I've known more about each and every one of them, I've come to realize that's not such a bad thing. And it's not like I'm exactly being them. I'm just taking some inspiration from them It's sort of in a more positive way now.

Rose falls dramatically, "That is so cool!" And she moves her arms and body as if she's doing snow angels, "Okay! I will have my queen-sized bed right here." She crawls, "And here is going to be my arts and crafts space. My table will be right here. On top of it, is of course, my typewriter." Rose points around the room.

Looks like Rose is also doing the same thing. Unconsciously.

"Typewriter?" I laugh.

"Yeah! You may be going to Uncle Jacob's same exact school, but I'm going to write so many stories like him! I'm also going to write every single day about our new lives on here."

"That's it, Rose. Shoot for it." I look out the window again.

"But… uh. I want to finish writing the story of the past first before anything else." I froze. She really is a smart kid. I mean, I also have things I have to take care of and she just reminded me for a second. Rose continues, "Hey Rhys… what if I write about our lives in Winterville? And how everything became better?"

I smile at her, "That would be nice."

-

"Ah, this is when I've moved in with your grandfather Jermaine." Grandma points at a picture of them in front of the house at the photobook. "I was truly hesitant to move in with him, but life just became much interesting for me when I had. Don't you think so?"

Right. I didn't expect to be that type of grandchildren to be actually kind of immersed about this type of thing. On similar thoughts, I was never immersed about anything my ancestors did, but when my grandma started telling stories to me, they were pretty interesting.

"Sure. But it's time to step out of this life. You're okay with that, right?"

"Of course. I am surprised you have been okay to live this rowdy lifestyle of ours."

"It wasn't too rowdy when I've got art to fill my mind. It really helped me. I guess it's kind of the same thing with Jacob and his stories." I was a little guilty knowing they really weren't stories. But, conversation, you know?

"Right. You mentioned that you were going to an art university. I'm so excited for you, Rhys! Just don't let it distract you too much, alright?"

"No, I don't think it's like that anymore." I relax my shoulders on the sofa, "Art isn't a distraction anymore. I realized it's much more than that. I think, it's like… therapy for me. I want to be serious about it more."

"Good for you." Grandma smiles, "What about after university, child? What plans do you have?"

"No clue. I don't wanna look that far ahead. But who knows? I might do some travelling, visit some new places. That'd be interesting. Didn't you say you went to Greece or Paris?"

"Greece and Paris, sweetie. Although, I did meet Jermaine in Barcelona. That was a wonderful night."

I look at Jermaine's face one more time before Grandma closes the book and puts it in the cardboard box. "Hey… why did he—"

Before I could ask, she requests, "Can you hand this over to the movers?" She gives the box to me and stands up, "My back hurts a deal. And we have so much more to go through." She starts walking away to the kitchen. Not long after, I go outside as well.

Looking at our soon-to-be-old house was a strange feeling. Like my stomach was twisting by itself. But for some reason, it doesn't feel that bad. No, it wasn't the bad at all.

A misunderstood guy, a troublemaker, a father, and a loser. 4 generations that lived under the same roof in more than a century. And they were hated by the entire town. I sigh in relief. Glad that shit's over with.

I stare at it for some more time until, "So old, yet so magical, huh?", someone beside me spoke.

"Mr. Yuki!" I almost dropped the box I was holding, "H-how long have you been there?"

"Not long. I was taking my weekly morning stroll and then I remembered—I heard that you guys are moving, and I wanted to visit you and wish you some good luck."

"That's kind of you. Thanks." We stared at my house for some good time until I remembered, "That's right, I wanted to ask you something before I go."

"Hm?"

"Why did my grandfather Jermaine went to jail? I wanted to ask my grandma, but it seems kinda personal."

Yuki laughs and has that same look when he was talking about Jermaine last time, "Oh, just this and that. But you should know that your grandfather was not a bad person. He was a good person who did bad things. Stupid things. He wasn't a delinquent; he was just misunderstood." That's a perfect way of explaining our family line. "There was this time he went into trouble just to save my ass. You should have a cup of tea with me every now and then. I will tell you all about it."

"Oh, of course I will, Yuki! You've helped me out a lot." I beam.

Suddenly, one of the movers grabbed the box I was holding, "I'll just take this from you, sir."

"Oh, thanks."

"You seem to be busy now, though. And I am getting tired. So, good luck with everything. Send your family my deepest regards. And I hope to have a chat with Poppy again soon."

"Prim."

"See you again soon, Rhys." He walks towards Karen which I noticed was a few feet away from us.

"You too, Yuki." I bid goodbye and also do a small wave to Karen. I walk to the moving company truck, "That's all we have for now. You guys can continue again tomorrow."

"Okay, Mr. Harrison." One of them says and closes off the truck. Damn, the noise of confident decision and responsibility sounds good to the ears.

While rethinking about all our moving planning, I remember that I still left some things from one of the most beloved places to me of all. Before he leaves, I ask, "Hey, if it's okay, can you guys give me a ride to my school? Have some things to pick up from my locker."