Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Dear Journal (okay, fine, this is kinda a diary),
Opening Day at the salon was a huge success, in no small part thanks to Hal. I should have expected it, but he talked to damn near everyone in town and encouraged them to check out my salon. He’s clearly been doing this for weeks, and I didn’t have a clue.
Every day, he makes me love him more and more.
I started out this journal trying to think about what I’m grateful for.
At first, it was mostly just having survived.
And I’m still grateful for that, and proud of all I’ve overcome.
None of that’s been easy. But now, I’m even more grateful for Hal.
He’s the brightest part of my life, and he’s taught me what real, truly unconditional love is.
He’s helped me believe in myself, in us, and in a future we’ll share.
There’s a scene in that movie Shawshank Redemption that Grandma loved.
It’s when Andy, after years of masterminding his escape from prison, has to crawl through a tunnel of shit to get to freedom.
But when he’s on the other side, he emerges in the rain, which gets him fucking clean and he’s at last a free man.
I can relate. I feel like I’ve spent a lot of my life trapped and wading through shit, but when I arrived in Mystic Hollow, my soul was cleansed and I finally found my freedom. Cheesy, I know, but true.
But Mystic Hollow wouldn’t be what it is to me and quite a few other folks without Hal. So I’m working on a little something to show him just how much he means to me and everyone else in this town.
—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal
Second day of the Harvest Festival…
Skylar
Bright and early the next morning, we take Elvira downtown and station ourselves on the end of Main Street where the festival’s parade is going to start.
We spend about two hours helping get everything set up, including the town’s float entry spotlighting the festival itself.
It’s decked out in all kinds of fall-themed embellishments like brightly colored leaves, gourds, squashes, pumpkins, and apples.
By ten o’clock we’re ready to start, and that’s when Max appears in all his Grand Marshal glory.
The man isn’t doing drag exactly, but he could give a drag queen a run for her money.
He’s wearing glittery silver platform boots and an electric blue spandex unitard, but the real showstopper is his long, sequined, rainbow cape with huge silver glitter epaulets that match his boots.
In the bright mid-morning sunshine, he damn near glows in the light reflecting off most of his body, and every time he moves, the cape sparkles in the sun.
He’s kind of a giant, rainbow disco ball walking down the street.
I really should have brought my damn sunglasses. He’s amazing but also blinding.
He’s carrying an ornate marching baton that he twirls around like a pro when he positions himself at the front of the line. As soon as he receives our signal to start, he lifts his baton in the air and starts marching forward with the panache of Lady Gaga strutting on the stage.
I suppose, for all intents and purposes, Main Street is his stage and he’s definitely treating it like one.
Not surprisingly, the crowd loves it. Behind him follows the high school marching band in their white and gold uniforms. Folks cheer from the sidelines as they move past, playing a rendition of “Uptown Funk.” Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson would be proud of how the band and Max all swagger to the beat.
Even I find myself dancing along a little with Hal. The energy’s so contagious that we’re all caught up in it.
The main festival float, organized by the festival planning committee, comes into view. It’s full of some of the elementary school students, who are waving and throwing out wrapped candy with obvious glee.
Hal leans down and whispers in my ear, “We pay a confectioner to make these treats every year using locally sourced ingredients. Be sure to grab some, they’re delightful.”
While he’s still leaning close, I turn my head to tell him, “I’m sure they’re great, but for me, nothing tops your homemade Craving Crushers.”
To prove my point, I pull one out of my jacket pocket and pop it in my mouth with a cheeky grin.
Hal gets adorably flustered at my praise.
He’s so fucking cute.
After the main float passes by, several local businesses have smaller floats advertising their establishments.
I nudge Hal. “I definitely need to do one of those next year, and so should you.”
He blinks at me. “That’s a great idea, but I’m not sure the B&B needs one.”
I roll my eyes at him lovingly. “Babe, we’re gonna get you to be a bit more proactive about promoting your business.
It’s not just about staying fiscally above water, it’s also about making the most of the opportunities you have to share our home with guests who come to Mystic Hollow.
” I smile. “The B&B is a real special place, and while I love sharing it with you and Elvira, I think it’ll be great to share it with others too.
It’s been a huge part of my healing journey since coming to Mystic Hollow, and I know it’s been a safe haven for others too, including your friend Ryder. ”
“You’re right,” Hal says, taking hold of my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I love having the space mostly to ourselves, but it feels even more lively when we have guests too.”
“Besides,” I add, “Astraea isn’t gonna stay for all that much longer.”
She had told us not too long ago that her time here in Mystic Hollow has to end soon because she can’t be away from the Celestial Realm for too long.
Rowan and his familiar are scheduled to move in later today though, and they’ll probably be with us a while.
The first few nights in the motel outside of town was fine, but Astraea was right, it’s better for them to stay in Mystic Hollow from here on out.
I make a mental note to reach out to the motel. They could be a good partner for future events if we don’t have enough accommodation directly in town.
“I’ll help you put together a float for next year. Maybe we can even co-sponsor one,” I tell him warmly. “And we’re going to be getting a whole lot of visitors for the festival because I’m assigning myself the role of Marketing and Promotion Expert on the planning committee,” I declare.
Hal beams at me. “That’s brilliant. You’re the perfect person for that role.” He clutches his free hand to his heart. “I can’t wait. We’ll make next year even bigger and better.”
Fuck yeah, we will. More people need to experience the power of this special place.
After the parade ends, local vendors start setting up booths along the block of Main Street that’s been barricaded off to allow only foot traffic.
Several of the restaurants in town have food stands where they start whipping up goodies for people to enjoy, and local artisans with everything from pottery to knitted goods have tables showcasing their wares too.
Hal and I take some time to stroll along the street, chat with people, and visit a number of the stands.
I spot one in particular that catches my eye for a very special reason, and when Hal is conveniently pulled aside by yet another resident in town, I take the opportunity to sneak away and buy the item that I zeroed in on.
When I return to Hal’s side, bag in hand, he eyes me curiously.
“What did you get?”
I mime zipping my lips. “It’s a surprise.”
His eyes brighten with interest. “For me?”
“Mayyyybe,” I drawl, then narrow my eyes. “But no peeking.”
He laughs. “Fair enough. Anything for you, my love.”
It’s an offhand comment, and yet in my heart of hearts I know that he actually would do anything for me—and I feel the same about him.
When I first arrived in Mystic Hollow, my beat-up, cynical soul didn’t think such a thing was possible. I didn’t believe that anyone could be that devoted to me because everything I’d experienced up to that point made me think I just wasn’t someone who inspired those kinds of feelings in other.
But I hadn’t met Hal yet.
With him, I’ve discovered so many more things in this life are possible, things I’d given up on long ago. Hal may not possess any actual magic, but he’s downright magical to me.
As we move through the crowd, people continually stop us as soon as they see Hal. Most of them want to thank him for some small kindness or favor he did for them. He seems to know everyone in town, and they all look up to him—and not just literally.
My gentle giant is the heart and soul of this town, whether he realizes it or not. I saw it at the Community Gathering meeting, and I see it now as we mingle with other residents basking in the beautiful fall weather and the shared community spirit that the festival showcases.
After lunch, Max finds us. He’s still wearing his Grand Marshal costume and is accompanied by a large orc dressed in pressed slacks and a crisp button-down shirt.
The orc’s hair is neatly combed and he’s wearing glasses.
The guy is giving off serious professor vibes, so I figure he must be Max’s husband, Targan.
“You were fantastic in the parade, Max,” Hal says.
Max winks and says, “I was pretty fabulous, wasn’t I?”
The orc leans down and kisses him on his forehead. “You’re always fabulous, darling.”
“Oh, you,” Max titters in obvious delight, then gestures toward me. “Honey, this is Hal’s new boyfriend, Skylar Wright. Skylar, this is my hubby, Dr. Targan Wildethorne.”
The far more reserved orc holds out his hand, offering a gentle smile. I’d been worried about meeting him for a lot of reasons, but he’s so chill and nonthreatening I’m instantly at ease around him. We shake hands briefly.
“Good to meet you, Max tells me you’re the one who’s opened a new salon in town.”
I nod. “Please stop by the next time you need a haircut, and I’ll hook you up.”
“I’m already on your schedule for Monday,” Max says, clutching Targan’s arm possessively. “I love that online booking system you have on your website, it’s so convenient.”