Page 3 of Loathe at First Sight

Gina hands me my change and says, “You okay? She wasn’t exactly nice to you either.”

I watch the sports car screech its tires as it flies out of the parking lot. “Yeah, I’m good. Just happy we won’t have to deal with the likes of her again.”

two

You have got to be Kidding Me

Liz

Who the hell does that guy think he is?

I spot the tow truck that I’m guessing belongs to him.

Jack’s Auto Shop.

Well, Jack is an asshole.

I let out a heavy sigh in my quiet car. Maybe I came off like a bitch. I’m self-aware enough to admit that. The bitch is what everyone saw. The side of the story that they weren’t privy to was that the only money I had was on my credit card. I have a whopping eighteen cents in my checking account and even less in savings. The money I was about to put into my gas tank would have pushed me to my limit on the credit card.

But none of that meant I was about to accept a handout. I am far too stubborn and have too much pride for that. I don’t need anyone’s pity.

My lack of funds stems from my life falling into shambles about a year ago. I tried my hardest to get it back on track, but sometimes, you just need to start over.

So, here I am with all of my belongings that I managed to hold onto in the back of my car as I drive home to live with my parents again. Thirty-three and moving back home. Man, that sounds pathetic.

I went from a very lavish lifestyle where I had a successful business and the world at my feet to being able to fit all my stuff in my car and moving back home.

I slow down, looking for the turn-off that will lead me back to my hometown of Lilly Leaf Falls. There’s no sign leading the way, and with all the trees everywhere, it can be easy to miss.

Once I manage to make the turn—right at the last second—I start making my way through the winding roads and silently praying that I have enough gas to make it to my parents’ house.

My phone starts ringing through the speakers, breaking the silence and scaring me half to death.

“Hello?” I answer with the push of a button.

“Hey, gorgeous!” One of my sisters, Ronnie, practically sings.

“Hi, Ronnie.”

“Have you made it home yet?”

“Not yet, but I’m close.”

“How’s the weather?” She jokes, knowing damn well that the part of Oregon that we are from provides little more than gray, gloomy skies and buckets of rain.

“How do you think it is?”

“Alright, alright,” she giggles. “No need to be cranky.”

Easy for her to say.

Despite there being five years between us, she’s the sibling I’m closest to. Out of the five of us Lawson siblings, she and I were the only ones who had any desire to get out of Lilly Leaf Falls and see the world.

Well, Ronnie wanted to see the world. I wanted to conquer it.

So, I started my own realtor business, and Ronnie travels the world, taking beautiful photos for a travel magazine.

At least one of us is still living our dream.

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