3. Stella #2
I let the direness of our situation flood my mind, threatening to drown me in the undertow. We needed to settle down somewhere, and fast. I couldn’t keep moving from place to place with Charlie. It wasn’t feasible or responsible, and the way to moving on wasn’t to keep moving.
After my debilitating breakdown over our circumstances receded, a quiet sense of peace washed over me.
There was something about this small town that felt…
right. I couldn’t put a finger on what it was about this sleepy little place that felt a little like home, but I didn’t hate the idea that maybe we had found somewhere to start over.
Even though I’d only been from the side of the road to the local inn, there was an overwhelming sense of security here. I felt an intense pull to this quiet little town that I hadn’t felt in any of the other places we’d stopped.
If anything, that fact that I could sleep for a solid eight hours said a lot. It said that I felt safe - which was a glaringly foreign concept in my life.
I shut my eyes for one more second as I relished in that feeling. It had been a long time since I’d had lived a life not riddled with a choking knot of anxiety threatening to constrict my throat.
I leaned into the calmness surrounding us, realizing that maybe we were destined to stop here. Maybe Firefly Cove wasn’t just a stop over town. This could truly be our fresh start.
It had taken me another 30 minutes to get myself and Charlie up and dressed for the morning.
Charlie had fought me tooth and nail to get clothes on.
I was sure the child would prefer to be constantly naked if someone let her.
She had alligator rolled around the bed as I attempted to shove her chunky arms and legs into shorts and a tank top.
Walking down the main stairway, my stomach growled incessantly as we reached the inn’s lobby. I heard a chuckle from behind the counter as we walked past the front desk and headed for the front door. Startled, I paused.
“Well, I’d say you two look like you could use a substantial breakfast,” Connie called from her chair behind the desk.
I let loose a shaky laugh, relieved that it was just Connie. She wasn’t wrong. I had been surviving off of energy drinks and beef jerky for almost two days. Thankfully, Charlie wasn’t used to eating much in the way of solid food, so she snacked light along the way.
It still felt a little foreign, laughter. It had been ages since I could relax and not be consumed by fear enough to laugh.
“Do you know somewhere around here I can get some coffee and maybe a bite to eat?” I questioned.
“Try down the block at The Grind. They’ve got decent coffee, but the pastries are to die for,” she said with a sly grin.
Something about her gaze seemed meddlesome. I brushed it off as a figment of my imagination, reminding myself that small towns were full of little quirks and if we were going to stay here, I should get used to it.
My stomach growled again loudly as I nodded. I hiked Charlie up higher on my hip and turned towards the front door to leave.
“You know, dear, I’m not one to meddle..” I could sense the ‘but’ coming before she even opened her mouth.
Oh, here we go.
“But? ”
“But small towns have a way of calling to wayward souls.” She paused for emphasis. “Just thought that it might be worth mentioning.”
I peered over the top of Charlie’s head, back at the old woman behind the counter. Her eyes were kind. The surrounding crinkles formed from years of smiles and laughter. She gave me a quick wink, and I nodded in understanding and turned back towards the front door.
I wasn’t so sure the small town vibe and I would get along.
I disliked the idea of everyone knowing about my business, or at the very least, attempting to.
Gossip wasn’t something I generally dabbled in.
I had perfected the art of walking in the shadows and keeping a low profile.
I didn’t know if I was ready to stand under a microscope of small town good intentions.
“Thanks for the advice,” I responded, pushing the front door open with the hip Charlie wasn’t perched on.
The stifling summer air hit me with a whoosh and I squinted my eyes against the offending sunlight. I wasn’t used to this type of heat and humidity. It was nearly oppressive. Georgia during the summer was a cruel form of torture, but I guess I should get used to it.
I trekked my way down the quiet street, noticing how quaint and homey the main street felt.
It felt like stepping back in time to a place where your grandma sent you to the corner store with a nickel to buy some bubble gum.
It felt peaceful, like I could take a deep breath for once in the last…
well, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt free enough to breathe without the overwhelming sense of dread flooding my system.
I noticed the lampposts, each one adorned with a small American flag.
Because of the lack of any semblance of a breeze, they hung limp from their sticks.
I’m sure if there was a small breeze blowing, they’d be flapping majestically.
In between each lamp post sat a waist high planter, each one filled with overflowing greenery and summer blooms. The sidewalks were meticulously maintained, showcasing how much the residents cared about this little town.
It was enthralling to take notice of the sheer beauty in the little things. Had I really let my the oppression of my past life rob me of seeing things like these little details before?
I shook the thoughts from my head. After all, Charlie and I were starting over. We weren’t hostages of our circumstances any longer.
As I walked, I made a mental note to check the coffee shop for a help wanted board, a current available rentals list, or anything else that could help us quickly find some permanent lodging.
We weren’t going to be able to afford to stay in the inn for more than a couple of nights. So, I was going to have to work fast.
Stepping into the coffee shop, I felt the immediate side effects of small town living.
Every single set of eyes looked up from their drinks, crosswords, or conversations to stare at the non-local who’d just stepped foot in their watering hole.
I felt their stares like a brand and glanced down to make sure that I had put pants on before leaving the inn.
Yep, I was wearing pants.
Feeling uncomfortable, I immediately turned to walk back out the door and ran right into a wall. Scratch that, I ran right into the muscled chest of a man - same difference. His rough grasp reached out to grip my elbow and steady me before I tumbled to the ground, baby and all.
I bounced back and kept my eyes down as I attempted to sidestep the person I’d just accosted with my body. Steeling myself for the harsh words I expected to come, I was thrown off when a familiar voice greeted me instead.
“Stella?” a gruff voice came from beside me just as my hand once again reached for the door handle of the exit. The slight southern drawl was familiar, but I’d only been in this town for approximately twelve hours. I didn’t know anyone here, except for Connie at the inn and…
I raised my eyes to the wall of a man in front of me and was met with the shy smile of my white knight in cowboy boots.
Max.