Prosperity Shores - Chapter 3

Welcome to Chapter 3 of the Prosperity Shores Saga.

At the end of the last chapter Tasha had lost her job and decided to get her college degree. Everyone was prepared for a tough 4 years ahead...let's see how those years have gone.

From the Diary of Tasha Mitchell: "I have only been here for a semester so far, but dorm life is crazy! I'm not sure I can continue to live in an environment like this."

The environment that Tasha found herself in was certainly a wild one.

Dorm life is no-holds-barred and anything goes. Life for the first time away from parents produces a...desperation of sorts to try the most outrageous behavior one can get away with!

Tasha spent most of her time in her dorm room, painting, studying and missing her family.

She did her best to ignore the almost nightly parties. The roof patio was a popular hangout spot on campus.

Of course there were encounters where it seemed that NO wasn't an acceptable answer.

Tasha took pride in her schoolwork and excellent grades though, it helped her focus on her goal to better herself and help her family.

When things got too bad she would call home for updates and to hear a friendly voice.

Alice, Marsha, Drake & Christa were doing very well at the private school. They also got along very well with each other at home. Despite the renovations, the house was still a bit small and it was a miracle there weren't more squabbles.

Edward was still doing well at his after school job. Steven was also managing well at his full-time job. He had received his letter from the school board informing him of his expulsion from the high school for "lack of attendance" it didn't concern him a bit.

They had lucked out and found a really decent Nanny to watch Amber all day, and the younger children after school. She didn't leave messes and managed to keep Amber clean and fed, that was all they could ask!

Tasha had some rare visits home, once for Steven's birthday. That turned out to be a great party with cake, hamburgers and the hot tub for the 2 adults!

From the Diary of Tasha Mitchell: "I wish that night could have lasted longer. It was so nice to be at home with my family."

"I miss my baby so much, she is growing so fast, I have to remind myself that I'm doing all this to make her life better. But every time I visit it becomes harder to leave again!"

Another important birthday, Tasha was entering her Junior year when it was time for Amber's Second birthday.

From the Diary of Tasha Mitchell: "I had to hold back tears as I saw Steven holding our little girl as she turned 2 years old!"

"She is getting so big and it's amazing that she even knows who I am!"

"I haven't forgotten Drake either, he's such a tough little boy! I know he misses me but I think he understands what I'm trying to do."

"Last week he sent me a long letter about seeing the ghost of Steven's Parents! What an imagination that boy has."

"I received a recording of Steven and Amber singing a nursery rhyme. I couldn't help crying for the milestones I'm missing with my baby girl."

Tasha couldn't make the trip home for Alice and Marsha's birthday party, but Steven made sure to send her some pictures.

Steven also decided not to worry Tasha with the news that Edward had become withdrawn and secretive shortly after the twins birthday.

He would skip school and sleep on the couch all morning, then he would leave the house until late at night. Steven was sure that Edward had lost his job.

When report cards came, Steven found out that Edward had been expelled from the Private School for fighting and non-attendance.

Steven suspected Edward's girlfriend had something to do with the situation, but he couldn't prove anything. He would have to have a talk with his brother soon.

Meanwhile he had gotten another promotion at work and had a lot more responsibilities there as well. Where do all the hours in the day go?

From the Diary of Tasha Mitchell: "Steven sent me an adorable picture of Amber with her little piano. It's her favorite toy...and my favorite picture."

"Things aren't going so well here, I've made a terrible mistake!"

A mistake indeed...Feeling lonely and guilty for missing the twins birthday, Tasha decides to join one of the dorm parties..."just to forget for a little while" she told herself.

She didn't notice who was mixing the drinks or she might have thought twice about accepting one.

And then another...things started to get fuzzy after that.

But she did forget...everything!

From the Diary of Tasha Mitchell: "I can't remember a thing that happened that night. I remember waking up on the sofa in the common room, in my swimsuit, and with a pounding headache!"

"I vaguely remember the hot tub and having a drink at the bar."

"I can't believe I did that...I hope I didn't do anything too stupid? Why can't I remember?"

Tasha did her best to push her fears to the back of her mind. Hers and Steven's anniversary was in a few days. She would call him up and invite him for a little date.

Tasha met Steven in front of the dorm...they walked to a little cafe for a quiet lunch. Then slowly made their way back to the dorm.

They found the rooftop patio and the hot tubs vacant so they relaxed together for a while. Tasha tried to concentrate on just being happy with their time together. But guilt has a way of making the best times into the worst.

It had been a great anniversary...for Steven, Tasha kissed him goodnight and watched him go.

Then she couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "I can't remember what happened that night, but I know it can't be good."

Her guilt got even worse when she saw the big bouquet of roses Steven sent her the next night.

Tasha tried to go back to her regular schedule. Study, write term papers, stay away from the parties. Staying away from the parties was easy...she wanted nothing to do with them! But the noise each evening was another reminder of her poor judgement.

She took refuge in her painting.

And did her studying at the library whenever she could.

Then...she got sick...

From the Diary of Tasha Mitchell: "I don't want to believe this is happening to me! I'm feeling so worn out and sick."

"Could I be pregnant? The timing is right for our anniversary...but it could have been...that night...too!? What will I tell Steven? I can't tell him about that night! He will leave me for sure!"

Tasha made an appointment at the Doctors office right away. She was relieved when the Doctor told her she was experiencing food poisoning. She wasn't pregnant!!!

Food poisoning. That discusting caffeteria always had spoiled food sitting around.

Sometimes spoiled breakfast would be sitting on the counter right next to the lunch selections!

Tasha decided she had had enough. The dorm just wasn't a healthy environment for her. Time to get out.

But where would she go? She checked the bulletin board for apartment listings...none available, it was too late in the semester. There were the greek houses? No those were probably party central too.

She called college housing...no other dorms available.

Finally Tasha found a small private home for rent. It would be a stretch of her budget, but she had to get out of this unhealthy dorm. She contacted college housing to give up her dorm room and packed her belongings.

The taxi arrived early the next morning. After a sleepless night Tasha only hoped this was the right move to make. She was over halfway through her major, she just had to stick out one more year.

The house was certainly small, and very plain. Maybe her landlord would let her make improvements for a break on her rent?

It didn't take long to set up her few personal belongings...then she went upstairs to bed.

From the Diary of Tasha Mitchell: "I'm all settled into the little rental house. It's so small I feel crammed in here, but it's also quiet. I didn't realize how nice silence could be. I also control my own meals...no more food poisoning. And no more guilt about...that night...I can't change what happened. I made a mistake and I've learned a lesson from it. Time to move forward"

Tasha resumed her schoolwork wholeheartedly, her guilt was pushed to the farthest corner of her mind. She would not beat herself up about it any longer.

She didn't always succeed but it became easier as time went on. She poured herself into her studies.

Her only break came with her calls to and from home.

One call wasn't so good though. Steven called one afternoon with bad news.

Edward's girlfriend had broken up with him and promptly headed for a big University in France. Edward was devastated, he said she had called him a Hick. That he was just a poor orphan from a low class family and would never be any better than that!

Steven tried, but couldn't comfort him.

He spent the day snarling and picking fights with his sisters.

Finally he just broke!

He wouldn't be part of a Low Class family any longer! He dropped a note as he ran past Christa.

Christa took the note to Steven,

"Dear Steven, I can't stay here any longer. I want to make something of myself and I can't do it in this town where we are nothing but a low class joke! Everyone knows how our parents died and that we are nothing but poor farmers! I won't live like that any more! Good try keeping us together but not good enough...bye. Edward

Steven called the Police right away, but there had been no sign of him yet.

Tasha felt helpless, poor Edward feeling so bad about himself and his family! She hoped he was safe wherever he was. She also hoped he would be found or change his mind and return back home, where he belonged.

She was almost done with college. Just one more semester. Her paintings were selling well, and had allowed her to make a few changes to the rental house. Nothing big, just small comforts.

The time alone was the hardest part for her. She welcomed the silence, but with it sometimes came the guilt creeping back into her thoughts.

Finally her last term paper was finished. Finals were around the corner.

From the diary of Tasha Mitchell: "I'm finished! I have graduated college and will be returning to my family for good! This has been the hardest thing I have ever done, but I hope it will all be worth it."

She called for her taxi then went to pack and change for her trip back home.

As she got into the taxi, she swore it would be the last taxi she would ever take without her family with her.

The house had never looked more welcoming.

All she could do was stand in the doorway and remind herself that she was home to stay!

She would be there for her Amber's 5th birthday party in a few days. She picked up Amber and snuggled her close.

Then Steven welcomed her home.

She was sad to hear that Edward still hadn't been heard from or found. Hopefully he would turn up soon.

This is the end of Chapter 3!

Will Tasha be able to put the past behind her?

Will Edward return?

Will Amber thrive even after her mother's absence?