9. Lucy
It wasthe perfect summer night in Rider. The early parts of June were always my favorite time. It was warm during the day, but by sunset, it had cooled down to a perfect seventy-degree temperature. And the humidity was barely noticeable at that point.
I could hear Leanne’s laugh before I fully exited the car. There was a magnetic pull almost enticing me to run over to her and Gus. I knew they’d be the only way I’d make it through the night, but instead, I became a fly on the wall. I was far enough from the stirs of the evening, but close enough to my car so I could leave in a moment”s notice if it felt too weird.
And boy, did it feel weird.
A few small children were running down by the lake, screeching and smiling as they took turns chasing after one another. There were some familiar faces, some of whom I had never seen before, but they all mingled and chatted and clinked their drinks together.
A few tall tables were scattered about, covered in sheer muslin throws. Flowers, each a different arrangement from the next, sat in the center of each one. A combination of blues and folk music played over loudspeakers. I truly felt like I had walked into another world, another dimension of sorts, one that I had yet to acclimate myself with.
The whole town showed up, though I don’t think there’s a get-together these people would turn down. This town supported its people. This town rallied around its people. And from the looks of it, Sawyer Banks was now one of their people.
He stood against the porch railing with an ear-to-ear grin plastered on his face. Mel stood beside him as they chatted it up with one of the owners of Jitters. But I made sure to prop myself up behind one of the wider trees. I hadn’t figured out if I wanted to be seen just yet.
He had a way with those he spoke with. He gave his undivided attention, made sure to hold eye contact—even if they were rambling on for too long. He genuinely cared to listen to people and what they had to say.
He stood there tall, confident, and secure with his chin angled up ever so slightly. Not in a pretentious way by any means either—but in a proud way. Satisfaction beamed off of him and I didn’t feel so icky about him making a name for himself in Rider. At least not at this very moment. Sawyer genuinely fit in here, and that was an odd concept to wrap my head around.
But then the strangest thing occurred—the newest rotation of party guests that approached him with their praises must’ve shared the greatest joke of all time. The loudest laughter I had ever heard was plucked from the depths of his chest. I became attuned to the crinkles in the corner of his eyes or how his cheeks blushed the longer he laughed.
Tonight’s turnout and the acceptance from a town that hates outsiders helped chip away at the biased pain. It pained me to see so many alterations to a place I had considered my safe haven for so long. But I know if this happened to any other establishment, it would have already received a five-star Yelp review from me.
I grabbed champagne from Cherry in passing. Instead of continuing through the crowd, she stopped when she realized it was me. “Lucy, right?” She grinned, then leaned in for a hug, balancing the tray with a few more drinks in her other hand. “It’s so great to see you here!”
“Oh, uh—” I returned her hug. She steadied the tray as she pulled away. “Yeah, hey. How have you been? This place turned out?—”
She cut me off. “I know, right? Sawyer and Mel are masterminds.”
I brought the champagne flute to my lips and smiled awkwardly into my next sip.
“Well, anyway, I’ll see you around,” she continued before walking off, handing off the last bit of drinks.
I stepped back and away from it all.
I could see myself walking up the refurbished porch and letting the bell above the door ring as I walked inside The Hideout for lunch. I’d order some of Leanne’s pies, and Sawyer and Mel and Cherry would take orders from the tables around me. If I felt up for it, I’d walk over to the new-to-me jukebox and intentionally play a song, and with wishful thinking, it”s stocked with at least one of my favorites.
And through my copious amount of doubt, I would feel at home again.
Well, that was a new thing I had to add, and then tick off of my to-do list: find the little pieces of home within The Hideout.