The Quest (fiction)

Hey, Y'all,
The Quest ( a work of fiction)
Billy was a city boy, and he was lost. He had been on the bus, on his way to find family. He didn't know where he was, and he had lost track of what day it was; he only knew he was lost, hungry and alone. In his possession was a letter from his Grandma that he had carried around with him as he searched for her. It was much folded and creased from reading and rereading. His mom had passed away and his dad was gone, having deserted them before Billy was even four years old. For the past seven years it had been just Billy and Mom. 


Mom had been a factory worker until the economy took a dive, and she was laid off. Then it was a succession of jobs in restaurants and fast food places. Finally, she came down with a cough, and after having x-rays, it was determined that she had tuberculosis. Then pneumonia attacked her weakened lungs; early one morning, she was gone and Billy was left alone. Back when she was working at the factory, she took out a life insurance policy. By scraping together the pennies, she kept up the payments. 


It was barely enough to pay for her funeral expenses. Her sister, Anna, made the final arrangements and they laid her to rest. Anna and her husband, Victor, had three children of their own and didn't want to take on another child to raise. Anna wrote to their mother who lived in the Midwest on a farm and asked if Billy could come out there. Grandma Hilda wrote back that yes, of course, he could come and she sent money in a letter with instructions for Billy. Anna bought the ticket and helped Billy pack his little suitcase. 


Time came for Billy to leave. Anna hugged him and told him to be careful. Victor took him to the Trailways bus station, and gave him twenty dollars to spend on food as he went. The driver stowed Billy's bag in the compartment underneath the bus, and Billy mounted the steps, waving to Uncle Victor. Billy could hardly contain his excitement. After riding for about three hours, Billy realized he was hungry. He hadn't eaten much for breakfast, and was ravenous. 


Billy had never been out of New York City in all his life, and knew nothing about living on a farm or even in the suburbs. He also didn't know anything about long distance traveling on a bus. When the bus stopped for the first time, and he got off, the driver began removing bags from the bus, and Billy picked up his bag. It was time to change buses. Billy went into the terminal and looked around....


Well, folks, that is it. A good beginning for a longer story. How do you think Billy got lost? 


This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. More later. Bye for now.