Fiction logo

Jocelyn's Journey

Jocelyn's Journey

By Martina IheanachoPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 14 min read
Like

Jocelyn’s journey:

Chapter one:

Jocelyn was fair skinned, pale face, red headed white women from Holland she spoke both fluent Dutch and French, a little Italian and Spanish.

she understood the basic pronunciation to hold a formal conversation.

Although, prefers to speak English which encouraged to aid her new environment and career path as an artist...

Jocelyn stood out from her peers she looked just like her father, he was medium built stocky and very handsome man.

He took after his mother, who was the real redhead beauty, very rear from those inner parts of Schin op Geul located around Limburg Hills village town in the Neverlands.

Her son Jocelyn's father was a bit of a looker whom swung heads of many ladies easily,

Yet he was definitely very traditional man who believed in morals and cultural values, family meant everything.

His father and mother shared the small cottage house towards the back of their main home.

Jocelyn's father wanted his parents to live close to his family, this has been their way of life for centuries passing down family historic lineages.

Although Jocelyn lived with her parents, Grandad family always had a huge part in her childhood up brining ever since a little girl, Grandad knowns as Papa, had the tightest bond with her and took special pride in Jocelyn.

She dressed very modern full of colours which suited her personality.

She mostly wore her tight stoned washed blue jeans, she adored wearing her warmth frilly dresses, and Tote bags, her tops were usually tightly fit or loosely fitted. she liked cutting out materials, changing he unique styles and designing her own outfits by creating bottom form cut out trousers or jeans turning them into pants or shorts she'd made use out of each fabrics material for her creativity.

she could make two outfits out of the one clothing somehow she could change the look from an outfit into two separate different styles from the one style. She wore her outgoing bubbly personality, yet demurring character straight to the point authentic humour. Jocelyn could easily articled imagery very well. her fashion sense differs but worked well which suited the current trends in Vogue, blended well together especially within the New York scenery.

She loved New York, and its fast-paced way of life strangely different to what she'd imagined it to be

The adventure being away from home exploring another world outside of her home country.

The smell, textures of the food, the statue of liberty standing tall like an icon national treasury, the metropolitan structures of the building, the peoples essence blending well together. everyone found their place in the rat race busy city. it was very different to what she'd been used to from back home.

Early in the mornings she’ll get to her workshop and do what she knows best using creative colours to produce her artwork.

Jocelyn had been nominated for her artwork through entry competitions, charity events and would be one of the first in her class to present her craft in the upcoming Art exhibition.

She loved her new lifestyle but at times, she missed home, the food, culture, but mostly importantly her family.

She'd phoned Mama at least twice a week, it wasn't the same as she still felt lonely, miserable, without Mama's company and that of her ex boyfriend they had grown further apart after just a year of her arrival to New York.

Alex was her long time school sweetheart they both grew up together lived in the same town, went to the same elementary then high school.

Jocelyn had out grown Alex they both knew that things weren't the same after she left. Alex still kept close contact with Jocelyn's parents, he would still go over for dinners special occasions he loved her family. they had a great connection a tight bond, mainly because they knew each other since Alex's childhood.

Mama had her special touch on how to comfort her sometimes a good chat with mother hen was all that were acquired.

When she first arrived at Manhattan, she was a shy and very quiet working in the fast food restaurant then later joined the ciao-Bella restaurant.

She was excellent in languages especially while at school back home, this really helped her to learn different cultures, which she really enjoyed expressing her knowledge, easily finding supportable employment and work experience placements.

Woking hard most days gave Jocelyn more confident to speak English and approach people expressing herself through her artwork crafts.

Whist in her element in creating art in school, she loves listening to cultural music, performing and dancing which was her favourite, it helped one to release stress to relax the body.

She'd danced back home in almost all the village festivals and her father and mother were dancers at an early age it was a community thing and helped to lift one’s spirit.

Her earliest childhood memory was dancing at the towns community festivals and family occasions, it was always a celebration home cooking from fresh ingredients, face masks, dancing by the fire while sun set those were her memories from back home which kept her spirit alive while away from home!

Chapter 2:

It was a misty cold but dry afternoon, This was normal weather for most New Yorkers.

As Jocelyn rushed through the busy Manhattan traffic.

Downtown New York city was always busy with billboards, beaming lights, roadworks, lots of people rushing around the city.

She Understood now why it’s known as the city that never sleeps.

As you walked through the city day or night you could hear the noisy traffic filled with cars yellow taxis you name it downtown Manhattan had it…

It’s always so busy 24 hours morning, noon and night, but this Was the Big Apple where dreams come true this was one of the reasons why Jocelyn came to America in the first place to seek out her dreams.

NEW YORK NEW YORK THE BIG APPLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!!!

Despite the fact she couldn’t earn much money back home as an artist Grandad always told her that she’ll be a great artist one day if she believed in herself.

She got her talent from Papa

(you know)....

Back home in Holland they were known for their artistic hands, and Jocelyn’s grandad stored so many of his paintings from his father and family which would one day be passed down to Jocelyn.

Rushing through the Mad Manhattan streets to the subway to catch her train two stops from college this had been her normal routine for the past two and half years.

She usually did the evening shift at Ciao-Bella restaurant, which was a remote Italian family restaurant, Ciao-Bella was always busy the food was to die for and anybody who was anybody in the local area even across town usually dined at this restaurant.

They were known for their coffee bar in the mornings, pizzas freshly made, mama’s homemade meatballs, and many more delicacy dishes that kept the business running over the years. At Ciao-Bella it was difficult to get reservations most customers waited weeks to get seats to dine at the restaurant.

Tomorrow was the art gallery event and Jocelyn had booked papa first class flight ticket to attend the event with her plus spend as much quality time with her as possible and talk about all the achievements she had worked on since she arrived in New York. Jocelyn had so much work to show Papa remember if it hadn’t been for papa none of this would have been established.

As she got off her stop from the train, she imagined Papa and her back home the long walks through the lakeside paint brushes, long rolls of white paper, Papa would always carry his brown bag filled with so many goody treats. We would sit by the lake and watch the train from a distance the loud noise from the stream with cloudy smoke as it drawn near steady passing by…

"Papa would always say Jocelyn “close your eyes and listen with your ears once you open your eyes you’ll see a picture now draw.”

“I remember we would spend most part of the mornings just making pictures with our mind and even then, I knew that this was my calling…”

Mama would come out yelling from a distance for us to hurry along, once I heard mama’s voice echo, I’d help Papa to pack up and race through the field back to our yard, which was near the lake side even this was a picture… I ran through the field my face brushing through the maze field the smell of wheat and ray from the previous year had come to season, the berries all around these so much out here in the countryside even though it was our small village.”

Work this evening felt light and easy, normally it was a drag, but tonight felt great.

Jocelyn felt so comfortable full of excitement even thought at this point she must have served over 100 customers in a space of an hour from starting her shift, after a couple rounds of services you just simply loose counts of the numbers, just floating around with your role. She had the biggest smile on her face.

“Helen I just can’t stop thinking about tomorrow my Grandad will arrive and off we’ll go to my event.

“I’ve got butterflies in my stomach I don’t even feel like I’m here working, plus I’ve got two days off work my dress is ready, make-up all lined up, hair appointment in the morning then pick up Papa from the airport.”

“Jocelyn well done” Helen tapped her on her shoulders. “I’m so proud of you, you’ve worked so hard for this you really deserve it girl… You go Girl.”

“Well it hasn’t been easy I’ve worked my ass off early mornings school, work and dance school. WOW! this is the start to my new career!”

Chapter 3:

Wow! My hair looks so lovely Jocelyn thought to herself looking in the salon mirror she had her hair dried bright red with fresh curls to patch her evening gown. As she patiently waited for the make-up lady to finish, with the final top-up those butterflies had started again she called home to check on Grandad, but the phone was busy, and it had been a rushed morning so far!

Jocelyn had arranged all her portfolio’s and handed them to the art teacher to display around the gallery. The famous Artist, who was known around the world for his craft, had especially asked for Jocelyn’s paintings to be displayed because they would be potential clients whom wanted to purchase some of her work…

The phone ring “oh thank God”

“Mama what’s going on I’ve been calling since morning what’s wrong with your phone?

“Jocelyn’s Papa’s flight has been delayed so he’ll have to catch a late one but not to worry just turn up at the event and grandad will take the airport taxi straight to the venue”.

As the evening drew near, Jocelyn pulled up in a taxi onto the red carpet full of guest that were all attending the same event, they were all dressed in their fine outfits long gown and black tuxedos with bow tie all glam up, she stepped out of her taxi she took a deep breath as she walked alone through the crowd pasting her steps carefully not to tip over and land on he face in public.

"These heels better work for me damn it"

muttering hard to herself...

with her heard held high she managed to the courage to walk through strengthening her posture to gain confidence as if Papa were there standing by her side.

" Evening Jocelyn, greeted by her art teacher I would like to introduce you to Sir Michael Glan he is a world leading artist”.

Michael took Jocelyn’s arm and lead her to the main hall we’ll sit together ok here’s my business card with my direct telephone number just in case I’ll get busy with meeting and greeting, it’s going to be a fabulous night and I’m so glad that you attended this grand occasion.

Everyone were seated together on the round square root size table fitting at least eight guest per cover huge enough to cater for each individual needs. Each table was especially decorated, at the centre of each table, were long glass bottle, still and sparkling waters, Red and White house wines, fine linen colours of white cotton with purple, sliver and gold silk interior table cloth, shinning dining cutleries with these swan looking soviet neatly stationed in front of each guest who were seated in their numbered table layouts. wishing papa would hurry up before the live band had started, he definitely this kind of treatment she thought to herself.

Jocelyn looked up towards the ceiling lighting dazzling crystal clear like shining stars, sparking bright just like diamonds. Chattering from the other guest and the surrendering echoed at the back of her mind, she was in her thoughts trying to enjoy her surrounding wishing and hoping that Papa would show up anytime soon.

the evening went well almost all of Jocelyn's paintings were the highlight of the evening, they were sold to top clients.

they sold out mainly because of her unique outlay designs. she had a way of defining how she'd versioned her craft, her patterns were so remarkable each framed differently with Morden structures, coloured to suite each picture adding textiles materials as flesh back to show how well her craft magically finished. her presentation stood out hence why they sold out no one had her style.

Jocelyn had landed herself with a major contract...a scholarship to art university to complete her degree final year. Jocelyn's portfolios were filled with many ideas, draft that she'd been working towards, showings of a real artist at work. many wanted to see through her motivation and visionary where she was heading next. with this scholarship she could teach art as a profession, which was such a passion for her it felt so amazing.

Unbelievably it was like the movies; the evening went well more than accepted even though Grandad was nowhere to be seen all Jocelyn could think about was getting back home to call mama and Papa.

She had to made an excuse to leave the venue early that evening her phone was dead and she needed to get hold of Papa….

As she yelled for a taxi, given the diver instruction to her street number, speedy dogging through the night build up traffic. she ran upstairs towards her apartment, she could hear the house phone ringing, she quickly pushed the key through the door panicking as she raced to the phone before it stopped ringing, dropping her keys and handbag to the floor.

“ Mama ”

The quiet paused of her mother’s tone sounded different this time Mama always sounded happy and cheerful,

“ Mama it was amazing" where’s Papa?

“ Jocelyn its Papa it’s not good news honey…. He passed away early this Morning”.

Jocelyn paused for just a moment and muttered something under her breath.

“No Oh No Papa”

“ Jocelyn we just didn’t want to spoil your event this evening, the family has taken care of all the arrangements regarding the funeral.

Grandad last wish was for you to attend your event honey; it was so peaceful he went in his sleep.

“ He left you a letter in an envelope with his suitcase and all his painting upstairs in the arctic”

With tears streaming down her cheeks she couldn’t find the words to reply to mama.

Oh, Poor Papa I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

" Jocelyn we just didn't want to spoil your event this evening, Our family have taken care of almost all the arrangements regarding the funeral.

" Grandad last wish for you was to attend your event honey" it was so peaceful he went in his sleep. he left you a blue envelope with his suitcase and all of his paintings upstairs in the Arctic.

with tears streaming down her cheeks she could not find the words to reply back to Mama.

Oh poor Papa I didn't even get the chance to say Goodbye.

Audio format from part1

Also please read on my website at https//www.wattpad (martina103) Jocelyn's Journey Part 1&2 After the funeral.

Thank you!

Yours Truly

Ms Martina Iheanacho

Short Story
Like

About the Creator

Martina Iheanacho

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.