Spur Of The Moment #2
That was the last time Esme had seen her. A few years back she’d done an online search and found her mother’s death notification with no mention of Esme or Nans. As far as the obituary was concerned, Ramona was a single woman who had friends but no family.
Despite the obit saying Ramona had been a terrific friend and the life of the party, Esme hadn’t been able to feel much sorrow.
Not that she would have said that aloud to Nans. Nancy Garcia insisted Esme’s mother deserved at least a modicum of politeness because she’d birthed Esme. That had to count for something.
Ramona brought Esme to Nans, who’d taken wonderful care of her. She’d even loved her, a new feeling for Esme. One she hadn’t trusted for years because she hadn’t felt worthy.
Nans had given her everything.
It had been twelve years since Nans had succumbed to the cancer she’d battled for a decade. Cheerful and optimistic until the end, making Esme promise she’d live a good life and find her joy.
For a while, that joy had been modeling. The runways and shoots for clothing and skincare companies had been a whirlwind of people being nice to her.
It had taken too long for Esme to realize that their kindness was often a cover for greed and selfishness. Still, she’d been luckier than many. Her agent was genuine, ensuring her contracts didn’t have hidden clauses or require her to do anything Nans wouldn’t have approved.
Nans had a way of extracting promises you’d do anything in your power not to break.
Claudia promised to take care of Esme, to ensure she didn’t fall in with bad crowds or take jobs that were anything less than safe and honorable.
Claudia had been a good agent and partner in her career, but she was gone too.
Along with Esme’s career. As Esme ran her fingers over the scar that ran from temple to jaw, she couldn’t find it within herself to care.
Modeling had been lucrative, and Esme’s healthy bank accounts meant she didn’t need to find an immediate job. Her accountant assured her that if she were careful, she probably wouldn’t have to work ever again.
Which was weird. She’d been working since she’d signed that contract at sixteen. Modeling looked glamorous from the outside, but it was mostly hard work.
Fifteen-hour days hadn’t been uncommon, with photographers demanding perfection before letting the models finish for the day.
Shaking off the past, Esme returned her attention to the map. She’d stayed the night in Albany on her way to explore Vermont and New Hampshire.
She hoped to stay in the area long enough to see the autumn leaves people raved about. Most were still green, but surely there were enough quirky towns to keep her interested for a few weeks. Maybe she’d even find one she liked enough to stay.
She hadn’t stayed anywhere since she’d left Giblet after Nans’ death. The flurry of jobs and travel took her to different parts of the world, which sounded fancier than it was. Mostly, she’d seen airports, hotels, and shooting locations.
A far cry from a small town named in honor of the turkey ranches surrounding it.
She’d loved growing up in Giblet. Being in school had been a luxury she’d never known.
Thankfully, she’d somehow picked up reading and basic number concepts along the way, but it had been a struggle to catch up with kids who’d been in school for years while she’d spent most of her life in seedy apartments and seedier hotel rooms.
In Giblet, she was able to be clean, sleep in a bed, eat three times a day, and go to school. Esme had fallen into paradise with her Nans.
A name on the map caught her attention. She laughed and pulled out her phone. A quick peek showed no one near her so she wouldn’t bother anyone.
She activated the video with it facing the map.
“Hi, everyone. This is Esme, and I’m in search of another small town to explore.
Not just any small town, but another one with a quirky name or attitude.
As some of you know, I spent the best years of my life in a town named Giblet.
Now I’m hoping to showcase places that are filled with the same kind of love and fun. ”
She panned the camera slowly over the map.
“I’m just outside Albany, New York, and this is a map of the local area.
Can you spot the town I’m checking out next?
I’m sure there are dozens of great towns in this area, and I’m sure I’ll visit a few, but I wonder if you can spot where I’m heading first? ”
She laughed. “Comment below to tell me your guess. Take care of yourselves and each other. I’ll talk to you soon from the next small town.”
She clicked off the camera and shoved it back into her pocket.
It surprised Esme that her small-town posts had become popular on social media. It was a far cry from modeling clothes or skincare, and unlike anything she’d done before. She was having fun and seeing the country.
Being behind the camera removed the pressure and kept the fun.
The money she earned from her social media sponsors went into a separate bank account.
Whatever she earned, she sent as donations to each town she visited.
All of them had worthwhile ventures in need of funding.
New schools or clinics, traffic lights, sidewalk repairs, and libraries.
She never used her surname on social media and hadn’t expected anyone to link her modeling identity to social accounts showcasing small towns, but the paparazzi were everywhere.
More than a year after she’d left the business, some still followed her.
The only advantage to people connecting her to her modeling career was the money she earned from sponsors.
She hated the spotlight but appreciated being able to give away so much money.
Another peek showed no one at the rest stop paid her any attention.
Time to get in her car before that changed.
She’d bought a new SUV, white to match so many other SUVs on the road.
The paparazzi still found her, even when she didn’t go live on her socials.
She delayed them until she was away from the town, hoping to stay under the radar.
Esme grinned at the map one more time before heading to her Escape. She’d chosen it mostly for the name, as this part of her life was supposed to be her escape from the limelight.
Inside, she patted the steering wheel. “Okay, Houdini, we’re off on our next adventure. Time to head to Phail.”
She laughed as she turned toward the highway. “I wonder if they realize how terrible that sounds?”