Chapter 33
33
Tracey grinned from ear to ear as she looked at the crowd of people standing in front of one of the two newly constructed cabins on her property. She had officially joined the Peachtree Cove Business Guild, and as a member they’d agreed to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of her first cabins. Tracey had expected maybe a few Guild members to show up and of course her friends and family, but she had not expected so many Guild members to be there. Sometimes she still couldn’t believe that she was a part of this community. Growing up she’d always felt like an outcast, someone who never quite fit in, but she realized now that that was just the thoughts of a teenager who was afraid, lonely and unsure how to accept help when it was offered. Now she was neither afraid nor lonely nor unsure. She spoke up for what she wanted, she had the love and acceptance of her friends, her brother and Brian, and she knew exactly what she wanted for her life. She wasn’t going to let anyone stop her from getting just that.
As she took the oversized scissors from Emily, the head of the Peachtree Cove Business Guild, she held her head up high and her shoulders back and proudly stood behind the red ribbon held by those who’d helped her get to this day. Her brother and his architect friend. Mikayla, who’d first given her the idea and helped walk her through the steps of financing and funding. Debra, who made everything run so much more smoothly at the bed and breakfast. And of course, the mayor was there, because she loved to support expanding businesses in Peachtree Cove.
The photographer from the local paper held up a hand to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, everybody, it is time to take the picture. On the count of three, Tracey, I want you to cut the ribbon, but everyone, don’t look down at the ribbon. Keep your eyes on the camera. Is everyone ready?”
Tracey nodded. “More than ready!”
The photographer gave a thumbs-up before holding up his camera. “Alright, one…two…three!”
The rest of the crowd clapped and cheered as Tracey cut the red ribbon and her cabins officially opened. After the pictures and cheers, everyone took turns walking through the inside to see the layout. Shirley had made finger foods and set them up on one of the tables outside for everyone to enjoy. Tracey answered questions and accepted the congratulations of fellow Guild members and some other business owners who’d attended the ceremony.
Her mom and dad came over to her. Her mom’s boyfriend wasn’t there. Tracey didn’t ask about him when her parents arrived together. They were spending more time together since her dad’s hospital stay. Tracey was staying out of whatever toxic connection they kept going. Her dad was sober, and her mom was making sure he was taking his medicine. That’s all she cared about.
“Good job, Tracey,” her mom said.
“Thanks, Mom.”
Her dad looked around before nodding. “You did good.”
“I appreciate that, Dad.” She did. Whatever man-to-man talk he’d had with Brian had worked. He no longer bugged her about ending her marriage. She would take that.
Her mom glanced down before speaking. “I know me and your dad didn’t give you the best example, but you turned out alright.”
“I did, but I’m still grateful to you and Dad. Good or bad, you all helped shape me into who I am today. I do love you.”
Her mom blinked. Her dad rubbed the back of his head. They didn’t utter those three words a lot in her family, if ever. But Tracey did love them. They were far from perfect, but they were her parents, and they’d done what they could.
Her dad cleared his throat. “Love you, too.” He patted her shoulder and walked away.
Her mom rolled her eyes at his retreating back before she hugged Tracey. “I love you, too, baby girl.”
Tracey smiled as she watched her mom follow her dad. No, they weren’t perfect and probably never would be, but she had turned out alright and done well. She glanced at her brother, standing with Joanne at the food table. He tilted his head up and grinned. Tracey grinned back. They’d both turned out okay.
***
Two hours later, Tracey sat on the porch of the cabin with Imani on one side and Halle on the other. “Ladies, thank you for coming today.”
Halle elbowed Tracey. “As if we wouldn’t be here. Girl, you knew we were gonna come out and celebrate you.” She placed her hand on her rounded belly and rubbed.
Tracey reached over and patted Halle’s belly, too. She’d waited until after Imani’s wedding to let them know the reason she’d stayed away from the champagne was because she was pregnant. “You and my new niece or nephew came, which I appreciate. I know standing for a long time couldn’t have been easy on you.”
“I can stand for a little bit of time. Despite what people may want to say about me being a geriatric pregnant person.” Halle cut her eyes at Imani.
Imani held up her hand. “That is just the medical term. I was not calling you old .”
“You’re the one who said it, so therefore you’re the one who’s going to get the side-eye every time I have to repeat it,” Halle said shrugging.
Tracey laughed and decided to cut in before her friends started that debate all over again. “Well, despite whatever the medical term is, I’m still happy that both of you came. Because not only is today the day that I’m doing a ribbon cutting, but I also have something else for you two.”
Imani’s eyes got big. “What do you have for us?”
Tracey pointed to the box on the porch next to Imani. “Can you hand me that?”
Her friend handed her the box with a skeptical look. “This looks old. What is it?”
Halle gasped and sat up straight. “Is that what I think it is? Is that the time capsule we buried out here in the peach fields when we were teenagers?”
Tracey nodded and patted the top of the box. “Yeah. I didn’t think this thing was still out here, but when they dug the footings for the cabin they found it. The contractor brought it to me in case it was something important or historical. They were worried that we’d have to shut down the whole project, but I immediately recognized it.”
“I can’t believe that it survived all this time,” Imani said. “When I first moved back to town, I didn’t want to see what was in this box.”
Halle frowned. “Why not?”
“Because I thought it would just be a reminder of how I failed at all the good things I thought I’d accomplish in life.”
Tracey raised an eyebrow. “What about now? Do you still not want to open it?”
Imani shook her head. “No, I kind of want to see if I remembered what I wrote.”
Tracey looked at Halle. “What about you?”
Halle nodded quickly. “Girl, if you don’t open that thing, I’m going to snatch it from you.”
“No need to snatch anything,” Tracey said laughing as she unlatched the box. The top was rusted, but it opened after a few tugs. Inside the box lay the plastic bag they’d put their wishes in.
Tracey pulled each folded sheet of paper with their names written on them out of the bag. She handed Imani her paper, then Halle’s, and then took hers. The three exchanged a look before they each unfolded their papers. It was quiet as they read what they’d written.
Tracey’s paper had three lines written:
I want to be successful.
I want to leave Peachtree Cove forever!
I don’t want to be like my parents!!
Tears pricked her eyes, and she blinked rapidly. She’d accomplished two out of the three. With the success she’d found in Peachtree Cove, she no longer wished to leave the town forever.
“Wow,” Halle breathed.
Tracey glanced at her friend. “What?”
“I said I wanted to be a teacher, help people and have a big family.” Halle looked up; her eyes were also watery. “I remember wishing I’d had siblings after my mom passed away. Then when my dad died… I always wanted a family. Now Shania has her dad, Quinton’s family is great, and I’m having another kid. I did it.”
“Girl, you exceeded,” Tracey said. “You’re about to work for the district next year, too. That’s big.”
Halle grinned and looked back at her letter before looking at the sky. She’d been offered the job as the assistant superintendent, and despite being surprised and a little nervous, she’d accepted the offer. “It is.”
She looked at Imani. “What about your letter?”
Imani lifted a shoulder. “Be a doctor, and not be afraid to fall in love. I still can’t believe I wrote that back then. I was so sure I’d never fall in love after what happened between my parents.”
“And another one exceeding expectations.”
Imani wiped her eyes. “I did. I love Cyril and even his dad so much. Life is pretty good.”
Tracey held up her paper. She read her three items to her friends. “Y’all, we did this. Can you believe it?”
Imani shook her head. “I never would have imagined we’d be here when I first wrote this.”
“Me either,” Tracey said.
“Well, I knew I’d at least be a teacher,” Halle said. “I had been accepted to college by then.”
Tracey rolled her eyes, but there was no malice. “Of course the overachiever of the group would say that.”
The three of them laughed. Tracey put an arm around Halle and then around Imani. Life was good.
***
Tracey was still sitting outside staring at the stars when Brian found her later. She wasn’t ready to go inside; she wanted to spend more time enjoying the result of her hard work.
“Can your gentleman caller join you?”
Tracey grinned and waved him over. “He can.”
Brian wrapped a blanket around her shoulders before sitting next to her. “Shirley told me you were still out here. You’re not ready to come in?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. The cabin is real. The bed and breakfast is real. This life I’m living is real.”
He wrapped an arm around her. “It is.”
“And you know what’s funny?” She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“What, you keep waiting for something bad to happen?”
She shook her head. “The opposite of that. I’m thankful for what I have, and I want to enjoy every minute instead of worrying about how things will mess up.”
“You did this, Tracey. I know you had help, but the idea and the success was because of your hard work. I always knew you’d be great.”
She raised a brow. “No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did. Even in high school when you wouldn’t let anyone treat you any kind of way, I knew you’d do the damn thing. You keep proving me right.”
She sighed and entwined her arm with his. “I wish I’d had that confidence then, but I’m so glad that I have it now.”
Brian was quiet for a moment before he turned to face her. “I love you, Tracey.”
His words didn’t surprise or shock her. She’d felt his love a long time ago in the way he’d stood up for her, supported her and cared for her. She’d recognized the signs of love but had been too insecure to acknowledge his feelings. She wasn’t going to pretend she didn’t see the good things happening in her life.
“I love you, too.”
Brian sucked in a breath. “I didn’t expect you to say it back.”
“I didn’t expect to ever say those words to anyone again, but here we are.”
“I just want you to know how I feel. I’m not saying this to pressure you into anything.”
“I know you aren’t. That’s one of the reasons why I love you.”
They hadn’t moved in together or talked about getting mar ried one day. They both were content with just being there for each other. For the first time she didn’t feel unsettled or unsure where she stood with another person. If, one day, they were ready for something else, then that would be okay, but for now she was happy with what they’d built.
“What are the other reasons?” he asked.
She leaned forward, kissed him then tilted her head toward the cabin. “Take me inside, and I can list them while you demonstrate.” She didn’t hesitate to say what she wanted. That’s the other thing she loved: the freedom to express her needs without worrying that she’d be judged, ridiculed or rejected.
“You want to break in the cabin?” Heat filled his eyes.
“Oh, most definitely.”
Brian took her hand and helped her stand. “Your gentleman caller is at your service.”
Laughing, and full of joy, Tracey followed him inside.
* * * * *