12. Lucy
lucy
. . .
Luke patching my finger made the rest of my shift easier to bear, especially after seeing Logan. After ten years away from this place, I almost forgot how much I missed the Everett family.
My shift passed in a flurry of sausages—and not the fun kind.
“Okay, kid,” Margaret told me as she walked to the back of the tent. “Your replacement is here.” I was happy to be done cutting onions and green peppers. I’d be fine if I never saw another sausage sandwich.
“Oh, come on. I really don’t feel like going,” I grumbled, still wrapped in the sheets. It was far too early to get up, let alone to go to the Hometown Days festival. It happened every year. And while it was appealing to tourists, I had seen it far too many times to consider it interesting.
“Are you saying you’re not up for a date?” Luke questioned me. He was settled in behind me on the bed, with his arm wrapped around my body. Ever since he first slept over without my mom knowing, he made it a habit to come here now and then. Nothing happened—and it wouldn’t until I was ready for it, but I couldn’t deny that waking up next to him was nice.
“I am up for a date. I just don’t see why we need to go to the festival…”
“Well, you’ll never know unless you come and join me.” He showered the back of my shoulder with tender kisses, and I already knew I stood no chance. I would’ve done anything he asked me to do.
And I was right. We moved through the endless tents of vendors who all came to display their best products. They had even set up a mini arcade this year. I eyed all the plush animals that had been displayed, setting my eyes on a soft, brown teddy bear.
“You know, I feel like I deserve one of these for coming with you today,” I told him, gesturing toward the teddy bear I wanted. “I think I want that one.”
A smile reached his eyes, and I knew at that moment he would have done anything to win it for me.
“Lucy?” The voice pulled me back into reality, and I found Margaret standing before me with her hands on her hips.
“Sorry, I got lost in thought. What were you saying?”
“I said your shift is done. You’re free to go.”
My brows furrowed together. To my surprise, my shift ended much sooner than I expected. Despite the initial reluctance and the minor mishap of cutting my finger, I found myself contemplating the idea of doing it again.
After saying goodbye to Margaret and Johanna, I wandered by the other vendors for a little longer before returning home. I didn’t run into Luke again, which was probably for the best. I could only handle seeing him once today. As I strolled down the street toward my home, I grabbed my phone and called Sailor, who I knew was still awaiting updates.
The video call only rang once before she picked up with a big smile.
“Girl! Oh, my God! I was wondering when you’d finally call me,” she chirped. Sailor was on her balcony, desperate for the sun that the grey sky above Seattle didn’t allow yet. “How’s everything going?”
“Good, everything is good,” I told her, lifting my bandaged finger into the frame. “Though I did cut my finger today.” Her expression quickly fell.
“What? How? You’ve got to be more careful.”
“I was volunteering at the Hometown Days festival.” I then quickly added before she could question it further, “My mom signed me up. Don’t ask.”
“How’s your mom, by the way?”
“She’s great. I think she may have a boyfriend, but I’m not entirely sure. She hasn’t talked about it, but I figure she will when she’s ready.” I knew what it was like to have everyone know your business, so I would let her tell me in her own time.
Sailor gasped loudly. “No. Way. Tell me everything about him!”
“Well, his name is Ed, and he’s a police officer. He’s sweet, and I think he makes her happy, so I’m happy for her,” I told her. “How’s everything back in Seattle?”
“It’s good. By the way, Jason tried to contact me. Ugh. That asshole.”
Jason. With my sudden return to the past, I entirely forgot about the reason why I was here in the first place. The breakup still stung, but this town did its magic and had me thinking about it much less.
I waved my hand at her. “Just ignore him. He’s not worth your time.”
“I want to ignore him, but it’s hard when all I can think about is setting him on fire.” Sailor smiled sweetly. I chuckled, even if her words drew attention from one of the neighbors. I could only pray they knew she was joking.
When I stood in front of my house, I gave Sailor another small smile. “Look, I’ve got to go now. Thank you for keeping me company…if you’re free, I could call you later. And you can also talk to your favorite person in the world.” I paused. “My mom.”
Sailor laughed. “You bet! I’m in. Love you, girl!”
“Love you, too.” I hung up and headed into the house. I heard my mom rummaging through something in the living room when I opened the door.
“Mom?” I called out.
“Right here!” she yelled out. As I moved into the living room, I found her on the ladder she brought in from the garage, rummaging through one of the wall cupboards.
“Mom, what are you…” I trailed off as catastrophe unraveled before my own two eyes. The next few seconds played out in slow motion. In a fragment of a moment, my mom slipped and fell from the ladder, landing on the wooden floor with a loud thud. I heard the crack of her bones, which was quickly followed by a flood of pained curse words.
“Mom!” I yelled out the moment everything settled in, rushing toward her. She was still on the floor, and her right foot was in an unnatural position that sent a shudder down my spine. She definitely broke something. As I crouched beside her, I didn’t dare to try to move her as panic whirled inside my mind.
“I’m…okay, pumpkin. Oh, God!”
My hands were shaking as I dialed 911, barely able to focus on anything the dispatcher was saying. I needed to get my mom to the hospital.