A Composition Class Project

The following novel is written in installments by the thirteen members of the Bevier C-4 Composition Class. The story is arranged as a novel, so pay no attention to the dates of posting, but follow the tale to its close. As of January 21, we are starting the third of five scenarios for our thirteen characters. You may email or leave comments if you like, and we will be happy to respond if you wish. Enjoy!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Avery







Broadway. New York. These two things were constantly on Avery Farr’s mind. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to go to New York. Now twenty-four, and sitting on the red velvet seats of a passenger train, she was headed for the Big Apple. Her head was still spinning after the past few days events.
Avery’s whole life, she had taken care of her ill mother. Her dreams were always put on hold until ten days ago today when she found out her mother had left her some money after her death. Avery looked out the window as the greenery flew by and started thinking.

She sat remembering the day she found out her mother had had a secret bank account set up for her. It was just a few days after the funeral when her mother’s lawyer, Tom Broker, contacted her and told her that her mother had left her something in her will and to come by his office. Avery hadn’t known her mother had even written a will, but she decided to go to find out what was left to her.
Once at Tom’s office, he read a letter her mother had written to her telling of how proud her mother was of her and how much she loved Avery. The letter also explained that Avery’s mother had set up a secret bank account when she was eight and had been depositing a small amount of money every month up until her death.

“How much exactly is in this bank account?” Avery asked wide-eyed.

“Well there’s about $19,400 in the account,” Tom read off, “your mother said she wanted you to use it to get to New York and rent an apartment so you can follow your dreams.”

Avery sat in the small chair still not believing that her mother had had this money set aside for her for all these years. Tears swelled in her eyes at the thought of her mother sacrificing so much even though her mother had been ill a majority of her life.

After leaving Tom’s office, Avery headed back home to think about all that happened and to plan her trip. The next few days went by in a blur as she started calling hotels and train services and of course packing.

Once everything was settled a few days later, Avery shoved her things into the trunk of the taxi and was on her way to the train station. She looked out the back window of the taxi at the house she had lived in with her mother and was saddened at the thought that she might never return to Champaign, Illinois.

Avery focused on these thoughts as her breath fogged up the window of the train. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t notice the train attendant standing beside the empty aisle seat beside her.

“Excuse me, miss?”

Avery jolted slightly at the sudden break of silence and turned her attention to the attendant. She was a pretty golden haired woman, the attendant, with a short stature and a cheery disposition. Avery felt herself staring at the woman so she quickly smiled at her.

“Would you like anything to eat or drink, miss?” the attendant asked cheerily. She flashed a smile at Avery and waited for her response.

“Um…a glass of water please?” Avery asked wearily. The attendant smiled again and rushed off down the car. Avery turned her attention back to the passing greenery and wished she could be as cheerful as the short blonde woman.
Avery sighed and began wondering what her new life would be like once she got to New York. She was excited, but also nervous and saddened about leaving her childhood home behind. She felt her eyes grow heavy with exhaustion, so she brought her knees to her chest, leaned her head against the window, and fell asleep.

Avery awoke to the sound of the train’s breaks screeching beneath her. She got up from her seat and stretched, accidently knocking over the glass of water the attendant had brought for her while she slept. She picked up the cup and apologized to the cheery attendant who told her not to worry about it while juggling her bags on her shoulders and in her other hand.

Avery exited the train and stepped into Grand Central Station. She was awed at the size and beauty of the building. After walking out the door she gasped at what she saw. Thousands of people crowding the sidewalks, hundreds of cars stuck in traffic, and the giant buildings that reached toward the sky.

Hailing a taxi was harder in New York than it had been in Champaign. It took twenty minutes for Avery to finally get one to pull to the curb for her. After having her belongings stuffed into the trunk, she gave the driver directions to the hotel she would be staying in until she found a place of her own.

After arriving at her hotel, she had her bags taken to her room and decided to explore the hotel a little. She went swimming in the rooftop pool, ate dinner at the hotel restaurant, and finally went up to her room. She went over to the window of her room on the 26th floor and looked out at the city’s multicolored lights.
Avery sighed, “ This is it, mom. We’re here.” She then lay down on her bed and fell asleep.

By Luc

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