35. Alex
THIRTY-FIVE
Alex
A fter unloading everything I need from my van, I lug my guitar case and other equipment with me as I walk down the street toward the bar. Main street has changed quite a bit since I lived here. What used to be boarded up storefronts are now vibrant shops and restaurants. Somehow Willow Grove has become somewhat of a tourist town. The main attraction is the wildflowers that pop out every spring, so I assume the town is quiet most other times of the year. Right now, though, downtown is bustling with people carrying bags of souvenirs and to-go boxes from the overpriced barbecue joint down the road.
Despite the boom in the economy, Hondo’s is still the only bar, and therefore the only real place where I can play music unless I want to drive over an hour away. I’ve considered finding a steadier day job, maybe then I could rent a small place and wouldn’t have to be with Dad 24/7. I’d still be around to help him, but we wouldn’t be stuck in each other’s personal space all the time.
Even though I’m here to help him, he still shoots me judgmental glares any time I tell him I’m going out to make money by playing music. Despite everything I’ve accomplished, he still thinks it’s not a real job.
Weaving through throngs of tourists, I’m almost to Hondo’s when I spot a head of ashy hair across the cobblestone street. As if on autopilot, my head whips in her direction. She’s sitting on a bench with her back to me, and a guy is sitting beside her. He looks a little bit older, he’s got short brown hair and a full beard, I don’t recognize him. Instantly, I decide I don’t like him when I notice his arm resting on the back of the bench behind her shoulders. I can’t tell if he’s actually touching her, but it’s close enough for me.
Guess that would be the boyfriend she mentioned. I should feel guilty considering what we did, but I don’t. Part of me will always belong to Opal, and I can only hope that she feels the same way somewhere deep down.
After my three second assessment I decide the dude isn’t good enough for her. Then again, he could be Ryan Gosling and I’d probably still feel the same way. No one is good enough for Opal, not even me. Especially not me, actually.
She looks sad, talking to him with a slight frown etched into her features. It’s impossible to make out their conversation from here. I’m tempted to get closer, but I know that would be extremely creepy and invasive. I probably look like a creep already, just standing here staring at them like this.
I can’t see the guy’s expression now, only the back of his head. She leans in and throws her arms around him, and he returns her embrace. In a way it looks more friendly than romantic, but that’s probably just my brain trying to make myself feel better. My stomach churns uneasily and I have to force myself to look away and head inside the building.
She told me what happened was a mistake and it couldn’t happen again. Clearly he’s the reason why; she wants to make things work with him. I let out a long sigh and scrub my hand down my face.
She deserves to be happy, even if that means she’s happy with someone that isn’t me.