Today, the old lady is going to talk. I just know it. I woke up knowing it. It could be desperation on my part, given how Scottie, my tabby cat, is as weak as I’ve seen her. But I don’t think so. I think Mrs.Anna Bayless really is going to give me enough information to find…whatever it is she has been trying to tell me I have to find, if I want to save Scottie.
I’m nervous as I reach for the buzzer at the main door. I shouldn’t be. After all, I’ve spent a lot of my life in old folks homes. The internationally recognized Sun Heritage Village community was probably my first babysitter. Exactly when it was that I started babysitting the old folks, instead of the other way around, it’s hard to say. It was a gradual thing that nobody really noticed.
I wait to announce myself. Not that they don’t know me, but the rules are the rules. It doesn’t matter who you are. Even Dad has to ring the buzzer and remind whoever is behind the desk that he’s the guy who own the place. He doesn’t have to mention that he owns forty-five such places across the US, with another few in Mexico and Europe. Everyone who works here learns that on training day.
I look up into the security camera, feeling the red dot blink at me like a warning, or accusation even. Nobody knows what I’m up to today. No one could know. But you get paranoid when you are about to bend some pretty important rules.
What’s taking them so long?
I know they are just sitting there, watching me. There are always two at the desk. It doesn’t matter which two, given the same type of women always apply for the job. Middle aged, slow and a bit lazy, the desk is a relatively easy job with decent pay and great benefits. Even so, turnover is high because, I mean, you have to admit the place is pretty depressing, especially over time. Whoever is at the desk, I can just imagine the conversation going on as they watch me from their pseudo power-giving perch.
“It’s the big boss’ daughter again. Third time this week,” I imagine one saying.
“Yea,” the other will reply. “With money like they’ve got, why does she dress in torn black rags like that? And that hair! It looks like a packrat’s nest.”
“It’s some kind of style,” the first will attempt to explain. “It’s all the rage for teenagers. Hideous, but not cheap. They pay a lot to look that bad.”
“Crazy,” the other will say.
I smile into the camera. Crazy doesn’t begin to cover it, ladies.
“Can I help you?” the speaker finally blasts, a little too loud. It makes me jump, then curse myself for letting my nerves show. I’ve got to keep it cool, like it’s a day no different than any other day.
“Julie Mayden. I’ve come to see Mrs. Bayless.”
I get buzzed in, but I still have to go to the desk for a nametag and to have them record my volunteer hours. Some grant matches volunteer dollars creating more paperwork, which in turn creates more rules.
The unmistakable scent of a nursing home rushes at me the moment the sliding doors open. It’s a combination of bad cafeteria food, old people’s drool, pressed face powder and harsh cleaning supplies (because you just can’t have people getting sick and dying in here). I both hate the smell, for obvious reasons, and love it, because these places feel far more like home than any of the four gated mansions I’ve lived in during my short sixteen years.
I smile at the folks lining the hallway, out for their daily—sit. A few recognize me, but most don’t. This is the building for the worst off; those who can’t begin to care for themselves. I remind myself I could go to buildings where the people sitting in front of the checkers boards can actually play the game. But I’ve always been a bit of an extremist. Give me the hard cases, the lost causes.
Like Anna.
“This will be good for my community service hours,” I say to Jenny and Alice, the two women looking at me like I’ve come at an inconvenient time. Hardly—signing me in is one of the few things this hour they will actually have to do. It is hours till lunchtime, when they’ll have to get on the loud speaker and announce the menu to people who, quite frankly, even if they can understand, just don’t care.
“What did you do to have to complete community service?” Jenny asks, suddenly interested. Gossip is a rare commodity here, and highly prized. Even Alice lifts her eyes to look directly into mine.
This is good.
“Fifty hours a year are required to be in honor society,” I answer, deadpan, but smiling inside. I love to shock. That’s why I dress this way in the first place—just to keep people off guard. About the only person it doesn’t work with is my father. He sees me as he has since I was probably three years old—as his fairy princess. “Just a little darker,” he jokes when I’m really being outrageous.
The two women’s faces deflate at my remark. You can actually see the realization that I might be smart enough for the honor society settle in on their faces. False smiles, dulled eyes. Not a morsel of decent gossip in that one.
I am given my nametag, freshly spit out from the computer with a bad photo of me at about age twelve (when I still dressed according to normal kid standards), and sent on my way. They know I know my way around. If only they knew what I was going to do with that knowledge in just a few minutes. Talk about an opportunity for gossip.
I knock on Miss Bayless’ door but don’t wait for a reply. It’d be a long wait. She babbles mostly, at least until she knows it’s me. Even then, it takes a while for real words to form. The woods that line the property help, which is why we are going out today, just as soon as I can get her ready.
Yes, I say to myself, gathering my courage. I’m actually going to do it today. I’m going to wheel her off the paved path that goes through that tiny patch of trees and hope we don’t get stuck deeper into the swampy forest. We’ll go as far as we can, and then I’ll hoist her from the chair to the earth and put the strange native-looking leather bag I found hidden in her suitcase around her neck. I’ll conveniently keep her out to near the very end of her eight-hour medicine cycle, and then just see what happens.
Yea, it’s risky, and maybe wrong. But I have to. Scottie is my life.
faris on 
Audrey Taska Hare on 
Anna on
This story had me from the first sentence! I cannot wait to read more! The movie should be amazing! Best of luck with it all!
Michele DeLuca
I just looked on the Mayden Chronicles and I read the first draft, I was hooked in the first paragraph! I found it very intresting, I think you will do good with this book, and I like the last paragraph about the bag, You left a suspense and I can’t wait to hear what else happens! Take care and I will be looking forward to see more of your book!
Sincerly, Desi
I can’t wait for Chapter 2, Robin! And I’m 65 so I think your potential audience is basically ageless. (Don’t know if you interested in typos but as a former court reporter I can’t help myself…third paragraph should be “guy who owns the place” instead of “guy who own…”) When will the next installment appear? Namaste. Karen
You bet I want edits, and suggestions, and ideas, and thoughts. Thanks, it will go into second draft…the whole point of the firsrt draft! I do agree it will be ageless!
I’m so glad, Desi! Chapter two is rolling around in my head, and I just love what comes next. I hope to really deepen the story and make you just love and admire Anna!
Yea! That’s what we want in a book…to hook on the first sentense! So glad it worked for you. Now, for a movie…someday!
Robin, You know I love all your books. This is going to be another “keeper”. Can’t wait to read more. Love,
Cathy
Ahm, Im not too certain how I feel about this thus far. I am a teenager, so I think your story should appeal to me the most. I stumbled over a fanlisting for your book on facebook and it sounded interesting enough to direct me here. I suppose its possible that I don’t feel much for the girl, since its just a few paragraphs in. You really seem to dislike the style you have your character dressing in, and she seems to only do it for the attention, or rather the kind of stares it will get her. I know plenty of people who do the exact same thing, and its something that irks me to no end. Perhaps this is quite the rant, but I never can seem to help myself. I do like the writing, so Im going to stick with this book (well, blog) but I figured I might as well throw my two cents in. Hope this didn’t sound too rude, not really what I was aiming for.
Hi Sadi! Your opinions are very welcome and not rude! I know what you mean…parts of Mayden are not authentic, and that will be part of the story. I actually like the goth style of dress–someone close to me was pretty into it for about a year. Interesting that you thought I didn’t like it–hmm…wonder if that was the writing, or just your take? I think deep inside Mayden doesn’t like to hide herself, but is more afraid to show her true self. She’s not as tough as she’s been trying to let others believe. And surely there are other’s neative opinions about goth dress that the world has that she is assuming. A character has to grow, and she will! Also, remember this is a draft, a kind of hard block of wood, and we will refine over many revisions. Your comments help that so watch for that! And keep your two cents coming.
Robin
I love it!
Keep going!
Catherine
Wonderful! A great first chapter and I must say, for such a short burst of writing it has many things I’m already looking forward to…I can’t wait to read the second chapter. I love your writing and am truly excited to see how this takes shape.
Hey! I love it! The way you captured the characters, and built up to the end with a dash of suspense is really awesome! This is already becoming one of my new fave books
Hmm, I read over it and what I take from her opinion on her clothes is not coming from Julie’s opinion on her style, but her view of everyone else’s. It’s very common for some people to look at gothic clothing as a dirty grunge look that is unattractive. (I think it’s a very expressive and artistic way of dressing ;D) And also the fact that she’s in an old folks home, it’s inevitable that the people there aren’t going to fall in love with her clothing lol. So in my opinion it was a very realistic description from Julie’s perspective. I’d think the same way if I was in her situation.
Luv,
Alesia
Hi Robin, I just read the draft. Intriguing beginnings. I sent the link to my 2 teenage daughters -one a former goth enthusiast that loves to read fantasy genre and one who is not much of a reader, but if it’s on facebook she might give it a shot!
Thanks for passing that on Roxanne! Tell your daughters I’d love their comments…they will help me write a better book! We will also have audio readings, so you can listen if you’re not into reading because you don’t like to…literally read. Hugs! Robin
hm, well I’m glad I didn’t come off as rude. A little tendency of mine.. I get that Julie hasn’t had much time to really develop yet, so thats why Im sticking with your story.
And Im not sure if its the writing, or my habit of overprotecting what I like. -.-’
Reguardless, I anticipate an update. =]
You grabbed me immediately when I realized the cat was sick — I also like the juxtaposition of a teenager and a nursing home — I want to read more
She sounds like a bad girl! Or maybe just a desperate girl!? Either way, sounds like fun!
this book is wow it had me the first sentence i read
OMG!! this is amazing, i mean i was acturly sucked into the story, and i could mot see where the story was going, which is a good thing, for i know plot lines as if they were standing right in front of me. i love it, it simply blew my mind.
Yea! That is what we try to do Rachel… keep you guessing. If you know plot lines, it would be great to have your ideas… all the more fun if we are interactive! Hugs!
Robin – I love the intrigue! I think that’s why people are drawn in right away. I already want to know if the cat will survive, what the old woman knows, what the old woman will say, how Mayden got to know her (besided the father owning the place), and how and when Mayden will address her own authenticity. Wonderful! As a fellow writer, I love intrigue and the discovery of a story itself.
As an actor, before our performances, a theatre professor used to say to us “It’s magic time!” That’s how I feel before I start writing a story as well. Magic time!
On to reading Chapter two! Thank you Robin for such wonderful emotions and words for me to absorb. : )
I realy enjoyed this a lot. Thank you for sharing it. Olah Robin. I see some of my writing is still on your page.
I cannot wait to read the rest of this.
I am working on my secound book now.
Im captivated,so much so I feel Im walking with Mayden, this is a fascinating journey, looking forward to reading more, so looking forward to reading more
Thank you
Thanks, Audrey, I’m soooo glad it is captivating you. That is the goal… a super story. Read on!