Page 15 of Big Pitch Energy

“I threw a slider and felt a pop, like a rubber band snapping.” He absently rubbed his elbow. “Then there was an intense burning, like a hot knife cutting through my elbow. After that, it was just...emptiness. Like my arm wasn’t even mine anymore.”

I realized the congestion I’d sensed in his energy must have been tied to that emptiness he described. His arm, disconnected from him in that moment, had left an imprint on his body’s energy. No wonder it had felt like something was stuck, as if his body hadn’t fully accepted what had happened.

“That must have been horrible.”

“The worst part was knowing what it meant,” he said. “Twelve to eighteen months of recovery, if I was lucky.”

“If you were lucky?”

Our waitress, Sarah, arrived with our orders, a double bacon burger and fries for him and a pulled pork sandwich and fries for me. When Ava and I come here, Sarah is usually chatty, but she’s not tonight. Aside from greeting us and taking our orders, she’s barely said a word.

“Thanks Sarah,” Sam said.

“Just flag me down if you need anything.”

As she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder and shot me a “you go, girl” grin, so I guessed she thought Sam and I wereon a date. I was sure by tomorrow our dinner together would be halfway to a love story. That’s just how word traveled in a small town.

“Not everyone bounces back from surgery.”

“I thought the success rate was high.”

“Yeah, but it’s not 100%.” He popped a fry into his mouth and chewed. “But enough about me. Tell me about you? Where are you originally from?”

“Nowhere and everywhere,” I said, then gestured to myself. “Army brat. I lived in seven states and three countries before I turned eighteen.”

“That must have been fun.” At my scrunched nose, he added, “Or at least interesting.”

“It was lonely, mostly. I learned not to get too attached to people or places because it made it harder when we moved.” I gave a half smile. “I got good at starting over, but it was exhausting.”

“How'd you end up in Starlight Shores?”

“I went to college with Ava, and since my parents were stationed in Germany at the time, I came home with her for school breaks.” I took a sip of my beer before continuing. “After graduation, I landed a job in Wilmington, but it didn’t take long to realize the corporate world wasn’t for me. Still, I stuck it out for six years and saved every penny I could. Then one weekend while visiting Ava, I saw a ‘For Sale’ sign on the studio building, and I knew it was time to do what I really wanted.”

Throughout dinner, a steady stream of people stopped by our table, offering greetings and stopping to chat. Sam greeted each one with a warm smile and easy charm, never rushing the conversation. It was obvious he liked talking to them, and his relaxed vibe showed just how much this town meant to him.

“Sorry about that,” he said once Mrs. Perkins, the school librarian, left.

“No need to apologize.”

“Although, you seem to know everyone too.”

“It’s a small town.” I shrugged. “And I may be on a few committees.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“I like to be involved.”

“You really love it here.”

It was more an observation than a question.

“I really do.” I traced my fingertip through the remaining condensation on my empty glass. “I've always wanted to plant roots somewhere. Build a life in a place where I truly belong.”

“I’m glad you found this place.”

“Do you miss living here?”

“Sometimes,” he said. “But I never saw myself staying forever. Even if baseball hadn't worked out, I think I would have left eventually.”

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