Page 34 of All The Happily Ever Afters

“Breakfast will be ready when you are,” she says as we pass the small dining room and head down a narrow hallway. The walls are speckled with photographs tucked in a variety of colored and shaped frames. She turns her head to look at me, and my eyes are ripped away from the photo of a young boy and to her gaze instead. “Simply call the number on the phone inyour room or come to the front, and I’ll have breakfast served for you.”

She stops at the last door on the very end and takes out a key, unlocking the door and then handing the key to me. It’s an actual key, long and heavy. I think it’s made of cast iron, and it catches me by surprise. “If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask,” she says and her voice is soft and comforting and the small smile on her face is genuine. Her pale blue eyes are sincere, and I almost second-guess her hesitation in the foyer.

“Thank you, Mrs.- Ada,” I say and then peer into the room, taking the handle of my suitcase.

“I’ll be right down the hall,” she says and then turns to walk off. I watch her for a moment and then let out a heavy sigh. Traveling is meant to be stressful. And that’s what I’ll chalk this up to.

The sound of the wheels rolling is muted as I drag the suitcase onto the plush cream carpet and close the door with a soft click. I lock it out of habit and then drag the heavy bag to the bed. My purse falls off my shoulder and onto the crook of my arm as I struggle with the damn thing. I stare at the bed and then to the suitcase. There’s no way I’m getting it up there.

I don’t have the energy for anything other than to slip into my PJ bottoms and a baggy t-shirt. My makeup can just wait till the morning, and brushing my teeth can wait, too.

As I crawl into bed I nearly moan at the thought of sleeping peacefully. I’m finally on land and in a beautiful cabin tucked away on this gorgeous island. I close my eyes and the moment I do, I remember the man from earlier.

My heart stills and my eyes pop open as I pull the comforter up tighter around me and try to forget. I need to sleep, and that’s just what I do. But the vision of the man comes back over and over as I drift to sleep. I can’t keep him away although I can’t quite see his face or any identifying features at all. Eachtime there’s something different about him or the mountain that makes me question whether or not he was real.

But I dream of him. Of climbing through the forest and standing at the edge.

In my dreams, he was waiting for me. And instead of fear, I only feel… wanted.

LILA

The morning air in Philadelphia can be at times, stale. Suffocating, even. The sounds of other people are constant, along with car horns and yelling for cabbies. My street, in particular, is busy as it’s just beyond the more crowded shopping districts.

This is nothing like that.

I inhale deeply, taking a moment to sway back and forth on the porch swing. Time seems slower here. The toe of my boot drags back and forth as I stare forward, waiting for the car that’s coming to pick me up. It’s not a cab; they don’t have those here. Ada’s cousin is happy to see me to the Kulls’ estate though. Last night the captain of the ship, Drew, drove me here last night.

I chew the inside of my cheek, wondering if I should tip him. Obviously I should. I didn’t tip Drew though, he seemed offended I offered. I shake off the memory of the way he looked at me and take a look around.

I’m definitely not in Philadelphia anymore.

The sound of a critter rustling in the dry leaves behind me makes me pop up and off the swing in an instant. I turn around just in time to watch something run off, my hand on my chest and the chill of the morning breeze traveling through the gap inmy jacket. A deer, maybe? I’m not sure. But I let out a small huff of a laugh at how absurd I am. Of course there are animals here. Online it said the population of black bears here is higher than the number of humans.

Just as I turn back to face the gravel dirt road that leads to the cabin, Ada steps out onto the porch. At the same time, an old Chevy pickup truck pulls into the driveway. I watch Ada’s face as she cocks a brow in surprise and purses her lips.

The truck comes to a stop, and the sputtering sounds of the engine are silenced. Her cousin, I think she said his name was Brant, opens the faded red door as she walks out to meet him.

I clear my throat, feeling the tension between them as she asks him, “You couldn’t bring the car?” in a voice that makes damn sure to display her irritation.

I bend down to pick up my purse; it’s heavy as hell, and the thin straps dig into my shoulder. It feels like I’ve stuffed it with bricks, but it’s only my laptop that has it feeling so damn heavy.

I walk slowly down the steps, moving closer to the truck with a smile plastered on my face. I couldn’t care less what car we drive in so long as I get to my appointment on time.

The two of them turn to me, stopping mid-conversation which only makes me self-conscious.Maybe I should have stayed on the porch.

“It’s so pretty out today.” I barely get the words out, the strength in my voice diminished by them staring at me. I clear my throat as I feel my smile falter.

Brant looks up and nods his head, patting his keys on his jeans. The plaid coat he’s wearing appears rumpled as he shoots me a smile. “Not so bad today. It’s gray a lot here, so you got lucky I suppose,” he answers in a deep voice.

“You’ve got everything you want to take?” Ada asks me, but the same look in her eyes from last night is back. All morning things were smooth and easygoing. I thought last night must’vebeen my mistake. That maybe it hadn’t been as awkward as I thought it was. But right now, clear as day with a full cup of coffee in me, I can feel something’s off.

“I’ve got everything,” I say and nod once, feeling my body tense and my expression change. She must see it too, because the other version of her comes back.

“Have a good trip,” she says cheerily and starts to walk back to the porch. “Oh, and interview,” she adds with a nod, although her voice is lower and more subdued.

I watch her over my shoulder, shuffling the straps of my bag slightly until Brant slaps his hand down on his truck and asks, “You ready?”

It’s awkward.We're sitting in silence. Well, the radio is playing softly, but ever since I got in the cramped back seat of the truck, no small talk has been made. The front seat has no seatbelt, so I’m tucked away in the back, safe and sound. I suppose I could comment on the weather… again.

---