Page 5 of Summer Message

Me: Matthew

Kristina: Well I need some sleep because I have a long day of painting with my mom while my dad works on getting the appliances in.

Me: Thanks for replying back.

Do I ask her if we can continue talking? I look down at my phone to ask her but she messages me first.

Kristina: I’m wondering if it’d be okay to keep texting you. I don’t know anyone here besides my elderly neighbors that I met today.

Me: I’d like that.

Me: The only friend I have is my roommate, but he’s getting ready to head off to football camp

Kristina: Football camp? How old are you?

Me: 23 and he plays for the Titans

Kristina: Oh, so glad we’re the same age, I thought you were like a high school kid or something. The Titans are a good team.

Me: They’re no Tampa Bay but they’ll do

Kristina: I’m more of a Steelers fan

Me: Really? Lose my number. LOL just kidding

Kristina: Hey don’t be messing with my Steelers or we’re going to tussle.

I laugh out loud to her response. I yawn. Damn, I need to get some sleep.

Me: Well Miss Tussler, I’m heading to get some sleep. I’ll talk to you later on today.

Kristina: Good night.

With that I turn my phone off and place it on the nightstand next to my bed. Is it too much to hope that when I wake up this is all a bad dream and that damn injury isn’t still screwing with my life?

3

Kristina

After my short conversation with Matthew, I lay here thinking about how drastically my life is about to change. I’ve never taken a leap of faith like this. I’m leaving everything that I know and love to start a new life on my own in a town where I have no family or friends whatsoever. Maybe Matthew will end up being my first new friend.

I fall asleep listening to the wind blow and branches scratching against the house.

I wake up to my parents talking in the kitchen and the house smelling like paint. When I finally stumble into the kitchen, I see them enjoying some coffee.

“What time is it?” I yawn, rubbing my eyes.

“Ten thirty.” My mom passes me the mug of coffee that she poured for me.

After lunch yesterday, my parents and I decided to go into town to look at colors, pick out new appliances, and buy more cleaning supplies. I didn’t realize how dirty the house really was until I started wiping down the walls the first night I got here. My dad was in heaven talking to the owner of the store. My mom and I left him as we walked around to different stores. I love having their input on how to make my house a home.

This town reminds me so much of those Hallmark movies where the big city girl moves to a small-town, finding love. I love how those movies are about love, community, and watching out for each other, whether you’re a visitor or a resident.

“Why didn’t you wake me up when you got up?” I breathe in the coffee and sigh happily.

“Mr. Michaels and I were talking to the roofer. He came about eight this morning because of the storms coming rolling in tomorrow. Your mom and Mrs. Michaels started painting the living room. You were sleeping so soundly we didn’t have the heart to wake you,” my dad tells me.

I run over to hug him.“Thanks, Daddy.” He kisses the top of my head. “I don’t deserve you two.”

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