Page 1 of Cups of You

ONE

Amber glared at the sign that proclaimed her return to the town she formerly called home.

‘Welcome to Millensville’

Population, too damn small.

The once decrepit sign had gotten a much-needed makeover as had the first few buildings she drove by. Gone were the faded wooden walls and weed strewn sidewalks she had run past as a kid. Then she hadn’t noticed or cared that the town was stuck in a state of gradual decline that had begun before she was born.

Now, her gaze wandered over the fresh coats of paint that seemed to breathe new life into once unassuming side streets. This was not the rundown town she had left more than a decade ago. This place was something new and strange.

She slowed the car as she entered the main part of town. Her hands were firmly at ten and two as she focused on making sure she didn’t run over anyone who might decide to amble along in front of her car.

Living in Chicago had given her a healthy dose of caution for people deciding to act like they were invulnerable when it came to walking in front of moving vehicles. Amber wasn’t trying to be part of the rumor mill on her first day back home for running over someone.

She would at least try to save that for the second week or so.

As she rolled the car to a stop, her eyes landed on buildings that held memories—some she would love to exorcise from her mind forever and others she didn’t mind as much. The library on her left was one place she had many fond memories of. Numerous afternoons of her youth had been spent curled up behind stacks of books, enjoying the musty scent of old pages and the solitude her hiding place afforded her.

The tinny voice of her GPS told her to turn right, and she followed dutifully. The old diner where she had spent most of her paltry allowance on strawberry milkshakes, greasy burgers, and tongue scorching fries was still standing.

Her stomach gave a soft rumble reminding her that the last thing she had eaten was a bag of chips from the gas station right outside of Chattanooga.

She eyed the diner and contemplated making a quick stop. It also had been granted new life thanks to a fresh coat of paint and the front windows showed that people still favored the food there, though that might be due to the still abysmal lack of actual competition.

It was all a bit too much, this mixture of the old with the new. Her chest tightened as she ignored her hunger and continued down the street. Each building she passed made the realization that she was back in the place she had run so far from that much more real.

Amber wasn’t regretting her decision to return home to help out her aunt; at least, not yet. But this whole situation was less than ideal, and she regretted allowing her boyfriend, Josiah, talk her into renting a one-bedroom condo instead of a larger space that would have allowed for her to move her aunt, Jackie, to them.

This trip could have been avoided,she thought furious at her own lack of foresight. She couldn’t have planned for her aunt’s injury but thinking of the what ifs was the only thing keeping her relatively calm. Amber gripped the steering wheel tightly her nails digging into the surface of the leather until it creaked from the pressure.

The inside of her cheek ached from the press of her teeth as a wave of panic welled up and threatened to drag her under.

This wasn’t what she wanted.

This place was not her safe space any longer and her breath caught in her throat when she thought about once again being ensnared in the town’s grasp.

She had once feared she would never be free of it— all the whispers from neighbors and their knowing glances of pity—and it seemed that fear was coming true.

With a gasp of breath, Amber pulled the car over into an open parking spot and thrust the gear shift into park. She leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes tightly until bright spots of light exploded behind her lids.

“You’re fine. You’re fine. You’re here, but it’s fine,” she whispered in the silence of the car. She felt along the door until her fingers lit on the button for the window and pushed it down. Outside, sounds of children laughing and people talking filtered in as did a nip of cool air that was just enough of a shock to help her breathe easier. Amber shivered. The hairs on her arms rose under the sleeves of her shirt as the crisp air blew in again gliding over and tempering the heat of her face. Her hands shook and she rubbed them against the fabric of her jeans.

On the next breeze that drifted through the open window, the bittersweet aroma of roasting coffee beans filled her senses. It was that familiar scent that helped her center her thoughts and calmed the racing thrum of her heart.

She wiped away the wet trails on her cheeks before throwing on her sunglasses and fleeing from the car. She needed a drink, and right now coffee would have to do. She barely noticed the familiar faces that turned in her direction as she focused on fulfilling one need and one need only.

Amber winced at the stiffness in her knees and cursed herself for not stopping in Atlanta like she had originally planned. Her back protested her rushed movements and she twisted slightly to realign her spine. The crack of it was satisfying though it did nothing for her rolling thoughts.

Coffee first, then I’ll try to make sense of what my life has become,she thought frantically as she marched across the sidewalk.

She opened the door with more force than intended, sending the bell above her head careening against the wood with a loud clang. The noise was jarring and Amber winced while looking up. The fruity perfume of arabica cooled her ire at her presence being announced so loudly.

Her nerves kept her from enjoying the décor as she moved around an empty couch and towards the counter. The warmth of the cafe was appreciated with the absence of her coat. February in Georgia wasn’t as teeth chattering as Chicago, but it was still foolish for her to have not put it on. She rubbed her arms and stepped into line before looking up at the menu board.

Amber pushed her sunglasses up settling them on top of her head and chewed on the inside of her cheek as she thought about her options. It seemed the café was equipped enough to make any espresso drink she might want. She was just happy that it seemed to be a locally owned and run shop and not one of the major chains that littered every other corner back home in the city.

“Hey. Welcome to Sweet Beans. What can I get for you?”

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