Gresham is a real city, but I have not been truthful in my descriptions of its layout. I want to preserve the privacy and safety of its citizens.
I imagine the residents of Gresham will have mixed reactions to what I have to write about their city. But there isn't any particular reason that it's the setting of my story besides the fact that I moved there a couple years prior, and I may have brought my trouble with me.
If I were to describe the people of Gresham, I'd be inaccurate about it. I was a relative newbie and only ever interacted with a small slice of the population. I just know that there's more diversity there than anyone will admit.
But to give you something to visualize, when I first arrived, I did so via the MAX from Portland. After riding into Union Station in downtown Stumptown, I knew the bigger city wasn't for me and I needed to head to the outskirts. And I thought it might be nicer to be closer to a mountain or two, and headed east.
The only way I noticed the moment I'd entered Gresham, which is technically a separate city from Portland, was that the signs at the next MAX stop were labeled with the township's name. The two cities had blended together so seamlessly.
And then, from there, it was ten more MAX stops before I reached the city center. Each one was in the middle of a spawling suburbia of small mid-twentieth-century stick built houses interspersed with larger apartment buildings of various ages and repair, and lots of gnarled and ratty trees (it was near the end of that Winter - they looked better with leaves during the Summer).
And when I got off the MAX and started walking around to look for a good place to work and another to stay at during the night, I found more of the same. But also, lots of strip malls. The streets were wide, and there was plenty of sky.
It was sunny, and sure enough, I got wonderful views of Wy'east (Mount Hood). And also, occasionally Lawetlat'la (Mount Saint Helens).
I eventually found Gresham's “historic downtown” hidden amongst the trees and other slightly larger buildings and decided it was cute enough to stay near. It was mostly one story buildings, but the streets were narrower and lots of the shops were lit up and open, which made it feel cozy.
I found what I was looking for within walking distance of there.
I didn't have a thing to my name when I started there, and I still don't. But that's not really what my story is about. Just a relevant detail.
Anyway, there's a big chance that if you live in the U.S. you live in Gresham. Which is to say that there are so many places just like it, statistically most people live there.
I wouldn’t exactly say that I ever have, though.
This is such an interesting prologue - it's nominally just a description of setting, but it's quick and there's so much character stuff in the details and asides. Really nicely done.
The two cities had blended together so seamlessly.
Very relatable! I never lived in my birthplace, but when I went to visit it, it and the surroundings towns had all sprawled together into an urban amalgamation. I felt scared while I was there, even though nothing ever happened.