Chapter 01

Rayka

They say that there is no better place in the world than home, and every time I come to Amarillo, I feel that this saying is true, here will always be my home, my refuge, my safe haven. I take advantage of being here and go for a ride around the city on Poseidon, my Shire horse, it's nice to be able to ride again and feel the wind on my face. 

This is the first time I've been home since I decided to stay in Boston after college. It's where I will be opening a law office, along with Vanessa, who prefers to be called just Ness, Anelise, who we call just Liz, and Sarah, who like me, prefers not to shorten her name. Ness and I have been friends since we were kids and grew up together in Amarillo, when we got to Harvard, we couldn't be roommates and that's how we became friends with Sarah and Liz, our roommates respectively, and since then, our quartet has been inseparable.

At first it was strange to live in Boston, because the weather is cooler there than in Texas, not to mention that here it was just saying my name and everyone already associated with my father, after all, there is not a person in Texas or nearby who does not know Andrew Powell, called the Cattle King, because of the many farms he owns with beef cattle, in addition to the farm in Sunray, where he raises elite bulls for rodeo competitions.

It wasn't easy growing up with the weight of responsibility of being his daughter, and as an only child, I was expected to go to a law school related to my father's business, but I always enjoyed advocating for people, so I chose law school, and my parents were very supportive of my choice. 

Deep down, I know that my father hoped that I would open an office here in Amarillo where I would be under his supervision and oversight, and I don't deny that it would be nice to be close to family and be able to go to the farm on weekends, but in Boston, I know that my accomplishments will be solely through my efforts and that is very rewarding.

As is always the case, I lose track of time as I ride through the fields, only realizing its late when I see the sun is already setting over the horizon, bringing back nostalgia for my childhood and teenage years. 

I need to get back home to pick up Liz and Sarah, who are arriving. It has become an annual custom of ours, we spend Christmas with our families and then gather at one of our homes for the New Year's Eve party before heading back to college.

After a quick shower, I grab my dad's Silverado, it's the same model pickup I have in Boston, though mine is black and my dad's is blue. I stop by Ness's house to pick her up and we go to the airport together, since Ness and I live in the same city, every other year the meeting is here, and this year it will be at my house.

“Good afternoon Rayka.” Ness speaks as she gets into the truck.

Despite the smile on her face, I know her as well as I know myself, and I can see in her eyes that she is restless.

“Good afternoon, Ness, is everything alright?” I ask as I start the car.

Ness stays silent, and only when I turn the corner does she answer.

“I'm worried about Liz.”

Strange... When I spoke to her this morning, everything was fine, she was already leaving for the airport. What could have happened in the last few hours to change that?

“Why? Did something happen?”

“Yes, Bryan won't be coming home, he went to Arlington.”

That's not good, Bryan is Ness's older brother, when Liz first came to our house and met him, she was charmed by his charm, they stayed on that occasion and since then they started to have a casual relationship, without any serious commitment. At least that's how it is for Bryan, since Liz doesn't get involved with anyone else and looks forward to every date they might have.

“Does Liz know about this yet?”

“No, he called after she boarded, and I preferred to talk to her in person.”

“You're right, but you know that Liz will be devastated when she finds out that he traveled.” I speak sadly, knowing that my friend will suffer.

“I know that I thought I'd try to keep him out of the conversation, at least until I got to your house.”

“It's a good idea, after all, what is Bryan doing in Arlington?” I was curious about Bryan's trip.

“He's with two friends from the hospital, apparently the cousin of one of them lives in town and they're going to a party tonight, Bryan told his mom he's going to stay there and then go straight back to Miami.” 

Holy shit, Bryan doesn't make my life easy; he didn't even realize Liz would be in town. Pretty typical of Bryan to run off to a party, he's been like that since high school and while I'm not surprised by his attitude, it hurts me that he doesn't care about Liz's feelings.

“Seriously Ness, sometimes I feel like ripping your brother's hide off for the way he treats Liz.”

“Calm down Rayka, I don't like this situation either, but no hitting my brother.”

“It wouldn't be the first time I've done that, on the other hand, maybe now Liz will get real, stop deluding herself and move on.”

“You see, there is always a positive side to every situation.”

We arrive at the airport and after parking we go to the arrivals area, I look at the arrivals and departures panel and see that their plane is already about to land, less than 15 minutes later, we are all in the car, ready to go home.

“So, Sarah, how was your house?” I asks.

We've noticed she's been sad for days, and since she said she was fine, we didn't push her.

“Horrible, I shouldn't have gone there.” Sarah speaks with a bitter voice.

We already imagined that it would not be easy for her to be there, her father was furious when he learned that she would not return to San Diego, to take care of the family business, he even threatened to disinherit her. 

However, the threat only served to make Sarah more determined not to return, and for her, she would not even have gone to spend Christmas at home, it was just to fulfill her mother's request.

“What happened Sarah?” Liz asks.

“As soon as I arrived, my father came all calm saying that he understood that I was confused and being badly influenced, that deep down, I was not going to abandon him or the company, when I said that I was sure of my decision, he turned into another man, said that he paid the best college for me to come back and take care of the company, that I was a disappointment to him. That if I continue with this ridiculous idea of living in Boston, it will be at my own risk, without counting on any of his pennies, fighting was not even the worst part, I was already prepared, the worst was him acting as if I was not in the house, not even giving me a hug on Christmas Day, and even made a point of saying loudly for me to hear that his only daughter is Ana, that she was his pride and that she will study administration to take care of the company.”

He was very cruel to Sarah, by implying that she is not his daughter, on top of that he used Aninha, a sweet girl, who dreams of studying literature to work in a publishing house and be able to fulfill her biggest dream.

Apparently, this man knows nothing of the daughters he has and much less knows how to respect their choices, I hope Aninha is strong to fight for what she really wants and, in the future, do as Sarah, impose your will, and run after what you really want.

“Sarah, I can't imagine how painful it must have been to hear what he said to you, but know that we are here to support you in whatever you need, maybe when he sees how happy you will be in Boston and succeeding with our office, he will apologize for the way he is acting now.” Ness speaks.

“Thank you, Ness, but the savings I have won't be enough to make partner in the office, I need to put it aside so I can make the payments on the apartment until I get a job.”

That's not fair to her, the office project is a dream of all four of us, money has never been an issue in this matter, and it will not change now, we will be successful in the near future and that includes all of us.

“Not at all Sarah, you will be part of society yes, it is not because your father does not respect your choices that we will leave you aside.”

“Rayka is right, Sarah, have you forgotten that we are one for all and all for one?” Liz says.

- Okay, thank you all for your support. - Sarah speaks up.