I can't believe this! This is the sort of thing that happens to other people, not to me! I'm a member of the Zodiac family! Not some gutter girl!
It all started when Great-Aunt Prudence died. I'd heard rumours that she had some sort of notion about legacies, and how things should be with our family, but all I knew was that she was Aunty Pru. I was devastated by her death. I loved the woman.
And then the will was read.
Apparently, our family is bound by a strict tradition passed from heir to heir, which is why we are so rich. We're the descendants of hard-working people, and we are also, according to legend, closely linked to the zodiac that gives us our name. The sign you are born under will affect your life. And Aunty Pru somehow thought that I should renew this, before the tradition dies out.
"I won't do it!" That's what I said.
But Aunty Pru had the deed to a new plot of land in a place called Newcrest, a neighbourhood that is far away from here. Not even in the same state, can you believe? And my parents, who I think don't like the fact that I'm a stay-at-home daughter (why get a job, if you have a lot of money?) told me that unless I do it, they're disowning me altogether. I think they want the glory of a renewed legacy again, and I'm the scapegoat!
"It was your great-aunt's dying wish." That's what my mother said as she drove me there. "You'll find all the money you need on this card - and don't bother checking your other card. We've taken the money out and cancelled it. This is a great opportunity, Astrid."
The §1,800 seemed like an alright amount, until we drew up to the plot of land. It was completely empty! There wasn't a house there, and my mother smiled.
"We're meeting with the local builders. You'll stay at a hotel until the construction is finished."
How could I argue? I was backed into a corner.
In town, we met with the builders, and I found out exactly what sort of house my money would buy me. Not much of one, is what! But big enough for a bed, apparently. After I'd handed the money over, I didn't have much left at all.
So, while I sit in the hotel room, which is horrible, but will probably seem like luxury to me after a while, let me introduce myself. My name is Astrid Zodiac, and according to the traditions of this unwanted legacy, I'm the Aries of its first cycle.
I'm quite elegant, too, but I don't know how long that will last!
***
Oh, no! It's worse than I thought! I don't have enough money to install a shower!
My mother told me to get a job, but the only one I could find was at an art gallery, and it doesn't pay much. I don't start for a couple of days, but I'm in a desperate way!
I can see the toilet from my bed, and the bed is next to the refrigerator! There's no room or money for a shower, so I need to extend the house! It's ghastly!
However, it's easy enough to sell things here, and I noticed people selling food they'd grown and frogs that they'd bred while walking through my new neighbourhood. This really is a weird town! But I decided that if it's a way to make money, I'll try it. Gardening wasn't my thing before, but now, it may have to be!
While waiting for my house to be finished, I read up on how a legacy works. There's a whole community out there of people tied into legacies! Apparently, one day, my descendants will be rich, but I also need to make sure I have a partner. I can't say that I ever saw myself getting married, but I decided to start by going to the library.
I met the nicest man, but while we initially had a good time together, and I felt myself beginning to warm up to him, he didn't feel the same when I tried to flirt with him. My behaviour, when I remembered it, was shocking, especially for someone of my status. I'm still embarrassed! Throwing myself at him like that! We haven't spoken since, and ... I don't think we ever will.
But a partner is important. My legacy - and thanks to dear old Aunty Pru, it is mine now - needs to be carried on. I may be The Ram, but...I definitely feel sheepish that I went about it in such a way. I need to be clear about my intentions.
While out wandering around the woody area at the back of ... what I guess is now my home... I found some flowers. I took them home to plant the seeds, as I know that they will sell. It might be a while before they grow, though.
***
As if things couldn't get worse! I had just got my first paycheck, so I decided to celebrate by going to one of the local nightclubs. Mother never let me go to one of them, so I was happy enough to express my freedom by going and drinking - letting myself stop worry about money.
I was sat alone at the bar, having danced for an hour or two, when a handsome young man came up and sat next to me.
"Hey, beautiful. I'd say red's your colour, but I'm pretty sure you know that already."
I giggled. The alcohol inside of me told me he was funny and cute. I learned that his name was J, he loved going to the gym, and that like me, he had rich parents. I told him how mine had cut me off, and ended up kissing him later that night.
A few days later, he rang me, asking if he could come hang out at my new place. I knew! I knew it was no strings attached, and I should have thought about things! I'm the founder of the new Zodiac Legacy!
But I didn't. J and me spent the night together, and two weeks later, I felt queasy. Fearing the worst, I brought a pregnancy test...
Which was positive.
I should have been more careful! Being a single parent is hard enough under normal conditions! But... What was done was done. I tried to get hold of J, but he wasn't picking up his phone. A quick Snapchat check revealed that he was on his way to New Zealand to stay with his cousin.
Fantastic. I really was all alone.
I debated ringing my mother, or my father, but I couldn't bring myself to do that. My mistake, my legacy, my...child.
I didn't even need to check my due date to know what star sign the child would be. We Zodiacs never do.
It's not the end of the world, though. Now I don't have to worry about finding a husband. I can pass on the legacy, and...
I'm looking forward to meeting my child.
***
I worked so hard at work that I was promoted, and my garden, as well as my belly, grew. I made enough money to add to the house - a nursery for my child.
Thankfully, nothing like the horror stories I'd found on the internet happened. The only thing I noticed that was odd was how tired I was all of the time. I slept and slept!
I'd tried my best to reach J, but he'd gone AWOL. However, one day, around the 7-month mark, I opened the door to find him standing there.
He stared at my stomach for a few minutes and then smiled, leaning to put his hands carefully on there. Like I had done before, he felt a kick, and looked up at me.
We talked, finally. He didn't want to be in a relationship with me, and I didn't love him. I would have married him, for the baby's sake, but we agreed we'd stay friends, and for that, I'm glad. J is one of my only friends here, after all, and he promised to be around for the baby when he can. Given that he jets off at a moment's notice to other countries, I'm not convinced, but the intention is definitely there.
He promised to be back in touch when he could, seeing as - you guessed it - he was headed off again. Turns out his dad is an international businessman, and J's got friends all over the world. (I also learned that his real name is Jameson. I'm definitely teaching the baby to call him that.)
***
Two months later, I was gardening carefully (it seemed to soothe the baby from treating my ribs as a kicking target) when I felt decidedly odd.
I didn't think anything of it until my water broke as I was about to rinse off in the shower.
It happened so quickly. There was no time to get to the hospital. No time to even ring J without screaming down the phone at him. Luckily, I'd read up on home births (I really, really don't like hospitals, usually, but it did occur to me during labour that they have useful things like painkillers), and I was able to manage completely by myself.
A few hours later, I was holding my precious baby girl. I've never felt such strong love as this.
She's so beautiful. Her tiny hands clutch at the cloth of my tops, and her eyes look into mine, searching for me. Her fingernails are so tiny, too! She's beautiful, tiny, and perfect.
I was right about her star sign, too. She's a Taurus.
A few days later, while she was sleeping, I rang J.
"You've got a daughter, Mr Huntington." I was tired out, and he could tell, I think.
"When?"
"Few days ago. She's so beautiful, J. You should come by sometime. See her. She's gorgeous."
"Don't you sound the new mother?" He laughed. "I'm sure if she's beautiful then she looks just like her mother."
"I went through labour. Don't think you can flirt with me." I smiled, and yawned.
"What's her name, then? Don't keep me hanging, Astrid."
I looked at the door separating me and my daughter.
"Tempest. Tempest Zodiac."
