Page 35 of In the Dust

We would take five dollars and split a—“Fish Basket, extra vinegar,” Colton orders my thoughts.

She struggles to stand, her old limbs not helping her out. “My, you kids have grown.” Her eyes light up. “Dixie, I know you’ve been gone in the big city, but you!” She cuts her eyes to Colton. “You haven't come to see me at all.”

I think I know why. A flash of hurt runs across his eyes; he didn’t go because it was ours. I need to save him from Mary Beth outing that secret of his, the secret that I’ve affected his life. “How are the grandkids?” I sing, knowing the question will make her belt out a five-minute story about them all.

And it does. Her oldest grandson Henry is doing great; he’s training to be a veterinarian so he can come back to tend to the town's animals. Her granddaughter, Francesca, is about to finish high school, and she plans to stay in town to run the Willow when the time comes.

No one’s ever left this town but me. For all its charm, I’ve never doubted why people stay.

I never planned to leave either, but my feet took me away. My heart wouldn't allow me the comfort of home.

When Colton wraps his arm around me, a million butterflies fly around my stomach. “Thanks, Miss Mary.” He grins.

“Dixie, y’all better bring yourselves to the restaurant so I can give you a proper meal.”

I wave as we walk away. “You bet!”

I sink my french fry into the vinegar. “I’ve missed this.”

Colton follows, dipping a piece of crunchy fried fish in it. “Do they have this in your city?”

I nearly dance as we walk. Now that he’s thawed the ice, my heart sings. “It’s not my city. There's like a gazillion people there.” I laugh. “But yeah they have fish, of course.” I shrug.

“I meant fish as good as Mary’s.” He dips it into the bitter vinegar, holding it up for me to take a bite.

So many delicious, comforting flavors swirl on my tongue. “No, definitely not. There’s nothing like the food here,” I moan.

After finishing off every crumb in our basket, we grab some cotton candy, then boiled peanuts, then ice cream. We’re making up for lost years, for all the Sundays we should have been right here.

We circle back around to Grandpa, who quickly tosses his plate on the dirt floor thinking I didn’t see him. “You’ve got some pie on your lip.” I side eye his guilty face as he wipes his mouth.

He shrugs. “Can’t blame me. It’s your fault you watched your momma make these.”

“And she watched her momma make them before her,” I add.

Grandpa leans in. “How was Horace’s table?”

Him and Horace were friends as young boys, but they developed a rivalry that spans decades. “Table’s still full.” This brings a gleam to his eyes. I don't mention to him that I wrapped my arms around Horace when we bought the boiled peanuts from him.

He can’t blame me; I grew up with everyone here. They’re all like family, and some dumb rivalry about football or whatever it is can’t change that. Plus, I think they enjoy their bickering, a little piece of their childhood still living on.

“He always plucks his veggies before they’re ready.” He shakes his head, making me laugh.

I turn my head, spotting Harper. Me and Colton walk over, and as she takes us in, a grin stretches across her face. She leans in when I hug her. “I guess Brad is yesterday’s news.”

I wait for his name to hurt, for the fresh sting of betrayal to overcome me and wash me out with sadness, but it never does. All along, he wasn't the one. I shrug. “Very, very old news.” I wink as I pull away.

“Colton, have you seen my tank top?” Anabelle’s high-pitched tone makes me cringe as she walks over, but her question makes me pause.

He shakes his head, and I recall the piece of fabric in his truck. It was most likely from days ago, but jealousy still leeches off of me.

I cross my arms, waiting for him to respond. He looks between us, trying to figure out what to say.

“Uh.” He laughs nervously, “Go grab it out.” He tosses her his keys.

“I must have left it there last night.” Her thick southern accent attaches itself to me; I know she said it as loud as she did just for me to hear.

Last night.

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