Page 1 of Time To Live Again

1

OLIVE

Istare out my misty car window, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel along to Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” The powerful words from Freddie Mercury make me wonder what I’d do if I actually found someone to love or if he found me. Some people probably think I’m not loveable, and right now, maybe I’m not. But I wasn’t always like this. And I think unlovable is too harsh a description. Withdrawn, antisocial, unapproachable…those are probably better words to use.

I scan the lines of cars waiting for the ferry to Orcas Island—most likely people going to party for New Year’s Eve. How many of them woke up a couple days ago and decided they needed to vanish for a week? How many decided they needed to celebrate their thirtieth birthday and New Year’s Eve alone?

I’d guess the chance of that is about one percent. Me. I’m that one percent.

Am I out of my damn mind? No. But I will be if I don’t do this.

Can I really do it, or should I go home?Before I second-guess myself out of this, I grab my phone and call my brother. He picks up after one ring, and I don’t even let him say hello.

“You know Mom’s going to say I’m selfish.”

“Selfish, smelfish,” Andy responds. “That’s exactly what you need to be. Your life as a hermit is officially over. O. V. E. R. When you come home, I expect to see a happier, stronger, better you. I don’t want to recognize you once that shell’s off your back.”

“The old me won’t miraculously reappear, y’know.”

“I don’t expect you to be who you were in Los Angeles. You’ve experienced a lot since then. Try to let the good things burn through the clouds.”

His constant enthusiasm and positive energy usually pump me up pretty quickly. But the only thing that can help me right now is the extra hot, triple espresso, one pump mocha resting in the middle console of my car. I really should cut down on the caffeine. New Year’s resolution? No way!

“You won’t even see me—you’ll be back at your swanky new apartment in San Francisco, Mr. Amazon-Super-Bowl-Ad. How would you know?” Andy works for a well-known advertising agency and relocated to San Francisco around a year ago. He pitched an idea for Amazon’s Super Bowl ad this year, and he’s counting down the days till it airs on game day.

“What, you haven’t heard of a video call? It’s the only way I ever see you since you won’t come visit. But you’re coming to San Fran after this trip. ASAP.”

“Annnnndy, I?—”

He cuts me off. “Nope. Nuh-uh. No excuses.”

I huff. “Pressure much? You make it sound like one week away will create a fucking miracle.”

“Hey, I have faith. Now drive your ass onto that ferry and don’t look back. I’ll message you once Mom finds out you’re gone. It’ll probably be soon. And good luck with that. But I’ll be here when she calls. I’ll distract her when things get heated.”

I bite my lower lip to prevent myself from shedding tears. Andy is my only sibling, my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and right now, a lifesaver. He also loves shaking things up. He, along with my uncle Bruce, urged me to take off this week and suggested that we not tell Mom where I’m going either. But that’s a whole other can of worms.

I’m going to Orcas Island. My parents always refused to vacation there or any of the San Juan Islands—they said they were just big tourist traps, not nice or nearly warm enough—but I found this beautiful hotel online, and that’s where I’m going.

“Ugh, Andy. Remind me again why I’m going to this hotel alone? If I’m not supposed to be a hermit, shouldn’t I have gone to a singles resort?”Absolutely not.“Why didn’t you come with me?”

“Hell no,” he snarks. “You need to get out of your usual surroundings and away from family. Hopefully, you’ll meet some new people and find a new perspective on things. Maybe even a love interest.” He clicks his tongue.

“Socializing hasn’t been my thing for years. How do I jump back into the shark tank?”

“That’s not for me to say. It’s for you to figure out. You can do this! Take some chances, Olive. Something tells me this trip is going to change your life. If it doesn’t, you didn’t try hard enough.” He releases a rough sigh. “We’ve already been over this last night and this morning before you left. It’s a done deal.”

“I know. I know. You’re right,” I grumble, straightening my spine.

“You’re just figuring that out now? I’m always right…until I’m not.”

“You make no sense.” I grin. “But Andy, I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate you and Uncle Bruce doing this for me. And with me running, you’re both in the hot seat with Mom.”

“Don’tcha worry, Olive. We’ll handle her with our charm. We probably could’ve executed this plan a little better, but desperate times call for desperate measures.”

“Then charm the hell out of her. That’s why you’re the perfect ad exec. It doesn’t hurt to live in another state either. Mom’s not knocking on your door every damn day.”

“True. Speaking of the door, I was so fucking proud of you this morning. Once you were out of your apartment, you drove away without hesitation. Everybody deserves a fresh start at least once in their life. I want my fun, courageous sister back. She’s right at the surface. I can almost see her.”

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