Chapter 382 - No Where Else to Go

Under the heavy rain April couldn't help but cry as she stood in front of her mother's grave. Her two older brothers held her hands as they silently looked at the grave. "I can't believe her heart just gave out... She was fine. I can't believe... I won't believe..." Danny said as he squeezed April's hand. While Theo just gritted his teeth. "John couldn't even come see her off." April sobbed as she kept staring. "We should get going..." Danny said as he looked at his siblings. April nodded her head.

They went back to the house and changed their clothes. They had soaked themselves outside and thought to warm themselves up with some tea and coffee. They sat in silence for a while, their home felt so cold without their mother and their father had still been out bar hopping. "I.... I have decided to move in with my girlfriend." Danny announced shocking Theo and April. "You have a girlfriend?" April asked in disbelief. 

"I do and I plan to marry her this summer." Danny said as he dropped his gaze to his hands. "Then what about April? Is she going to stay here with that man by herself?!" Theo shouted. April turned her gaze to Theo. "Are you leaving too?" She asked in a small voice. "I-April..." Theo started but he couldn't say it. He just clicked his tongue and averted his gaze. 

"I understand. Both of you have a bright future and want to live your own lives now." April said as she got up and walked over to the closet. She pulled out an old winter coat and pulled out her white envelope. "It's not much but please take this. I hope this will help." April said as she gave each of them ten dollars. "April... you even paid for mom's funeral. Is this alright?" Danny asked. April nodded her head as she clutched the empty white envelope.

"I still have a lot of savigs left and a job. Don't worry, I will take care of the house and father." April said with a smile. The boys took the money and hugged April tighty, completely oblivious to what April hid in her heart. 

Danny and Theo didn't waste much time. They packed their belongings that night and when morning came they walked away without looking back. April looked at the spot she last saw her brothers for hours, she didn't want to go back into the empty house. So she sat on the stoop of her house, crying silently.

Days went by, then three weeks and April had finally run out of food. She had tried her best to discipline herself to not eat to her fill. She was able to live off of the scraps she was able to scavange up but the war was getting worse. More and more people were looking for food and she didn't have the strength to fight anymore. While her father never came back, she didn't even bother to look for him. 

She was alone. Often she cried herself to sleep, bills started to pile up and she didn't know what to do. She didn't know how she was going to survive but a small ray of hope came into her life. 

By the fifth week she realized no one bothered her for payments, she still had running water, heat and electricity. Someone was also kind enough to leave food baskets at her door, saving her from starvation. She wanted to catch her saviour and would often wait by the windw to see who it was but she always fell asleep. So instead she would leave them a letter of thanks. For a month and a half she lived peacefully.

However when the second week of August went by and there was no basket she didn' think too much of it. When the following week went by she started to get worried. She started to scavange again and found that the person who had helped her had spoiled her. By the following week there was a knock on the door.

April ran for the door and opened it enthusiastically, hoping to see her samaritan. A elderly lady stood at her door step, it was the same lady who spoke to her about her singing. 

"Hello." She said with a bright smile. "Hello! Please come in!" April shouted as she quickly moved out of the way. The old lady came in and immediately sat down at the kitchen table. "Glass of water?" April asked as she rushed to the pantry. "No thank you sweetie. This is just a quick meeting and I just need to hear your answer." The old lady said.

April stopped moving and looked back. She was completely confused, she had no idea what the lady was talking about and decided to stare. "I see so he has been blocking my letters...." The old lady sighed. "He?" April asked. The old lady shook her head. "Never mind. Just come sit and let me ask you personally instead." The old lady said. April slowly walked up to the table and cautiously sat down, keeping her blue eyes locked onto the lady.

"You know about the war that the whole world is involved in?" The old lady asked. "Yes.... My oldest brother was drafted." April replied. "Ah, then I don't have to explain too much. I will get to the point. I want you to join." The old lady said. "Excuse me?" April asked in a quiet voice. "To be more specific I want you to join to raise the morale of the young men in the platoons. I want you to sing." The old lady said with a soft smile. 

April was dumbfounded. She didn't know what to say instead she looked at the old lady long and hard. The old woman was someone who was very fit for her age. She had a strong body and good posture. She had a few wrinkles on her face and her hair was completely grey but her eyes sprakled with a strong aura. "Who are you?" April asked. "No one of importance." The old lady laughed lightly.

"But I would like your answer." She continued as something flashed in her eyes. April swallowed back saliva. She knew the emotion that flashed in her eyes, it was anticipation and hope. "Can I have a moment to think about it?" April asked. The old lady nodded her head. She then got up and tucked her chair in. "I will need your answer in an hour." She said before she left April alone at the kitchen table and walked out the door.