Page 3 of Exile

I’ve had enough of Burlington, Vermont.

“That sounds lovely. Where do you plan on going?” Dale was more understanding and supportive than Mom, but then, he had no say in my life.

“I have no fucking clue,” I sighed, shrugging. “Canada, maybe.”

“Canada is a beautiful country. I have a book about it if you want to read through it. It might help you decide where you want to go.”

“I can just google it. But, thanks, Dale.” I gave him a tight smile before shooting another glance at Mom. I had so much more to say to her but kept my mouth shut.

I went to my room, grabbed my laptop, and started researching.

I needed to breathe fresh air.

Needed to see new things.

And, most of all, I needed to find myself.

Chapter 1

DARWYNN

six months later

Canada was beautiful.

There hadn’t been one place I visited that I didn’t want to move to immediately, but I moved along after a few days of stay and went to visit the next town on my list.

That list consisted of small towns across Canada, and while all the driving was exhausting, I was glad I kept going. I saw so many new things and met new people along the way, and I was starting to love that country so much that I was already thinking about moving here.

On this trip, I also got to know myself better, but the only thing I had yet to figure out was what I wanted to do with my life.

I was currently in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and this was again one of those cities and towns I could imagine moving to once my traveling was over.

It was my last evening here, and I decided to have dinner at the restaurant next to the hotel. The one I also had my lunch at earlier.

I got seated at a small table by the window, giving me a nice view of the busy street with little shops lit up with fairy lights and beautiful big windows. This area of the city was more touristy, and I enjoyed people-watching wherever I went. This place was perfect for it.

After ordering my food, I pulled out my phone to check the map and the road I would have to take tomorrow morning to return to Burlington. I had made it my mission to drive all eleven hours in one day, and while that would exhaust me, I just didn’t want to stop at a random motel or gas station somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

I had already bought snacks and enough caffeinated drinks to survive an eleven-hour drive, and the only pit stop I intended to make was to go to the toilet.

I got my food and ate the perfectly cooked steak and beans. The mashed potatoes almost burned my mouth, but I loved how warm they made me feel. They made me feel at home, and they made me want to redirect my plans and just never go home ever again.

But I had to go back home.

And only because Mom begged me to.

She missed me, and she wanted to apologize to me for the way she had treated me all these years. She wanted me to go back home so we could talk and so that she could tell me all about the therapy she had done to become a better person.

I had to ask Dale if that had been her initiative. Or if he had been the one telling her to go to therapy. He was a bad liar, and he ended up admitting that he pushed her to go to therapy.

Of course.

I pushed all thoughts of Mom aside to enjoy the rest of my dinner. Letting my eyes wander off to the wall ahead of me, I noticed the signed Polaroid pictures all over it.

I took a closer look and recognized two indie musicians, one rock band, and three actors I’d once seen on TV.

“Crazy, huh? When I started working here, I didn’t even know famous people knew of this place.” The waitress smiled down at me, refilling my sweet tea. “My favorite was Keanu Reeves. Such a humble man.”

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