Page 5 of Fake-Off with Fate
As far as I’m concerned, the only real downside of living in LA is the subpar pool of eligible men. It’s not that there aren’t any single guys, because there are. It’s just that most of them are busy trying to date gorgeous girls in their twenties. Even the fifty-year-old, fat, bald ones think they’re entitled to romance movie stars and supermodels. Cute as I am, the only ones asking me out are usually waiters hoping for their big break. I’ve hadtwo of those dump me as soon as they met someone they thought could advance their careers.
For the fun of it, I lie, “I have a girlfriend.” Then I embellish, “She’s a three-hundred-pound body builder. I’m pretty sure she could take you.” That does the trick, and I get to enjoy the forty-five-minute drive to LAX in relative peace.
The two-hour flight to Washington whizzes by and with each passing mile I feel myself decompress a little more. I haven’t been back to Maple Falls in two years. My mom has visited me several times, which I suppose is why I haven’t felt the need to go home sooner.
Meanwhile, my dad has stayed home to keep the town from falling to ruin in his absence. This intense devotion is the primary reason I’m worried he won’t go away with my mom and choose to risk his marriage instead.
At the airport I pick up a rental car so that if my parents don’t leave town as hoped, I’ll have a vehicle at my disposal. This might be pessimistic thinking, but just because I want something to happen, doesn’t mean it will.
Driving through the familiar countryside, I realize how much I love Washington state, especially in the fall when all the leaves start to change color. The sight of the emerging orange tint causes a feeling of pure contentment to fill me. So much so, I can almost taste all the goodies I used to devour at Maple Fest. I don’t expect to be here long enough to enjoy my hometown’s longstanding celebration, but I make a promise to myself to come back for it next year.
Passing Main Street feels surreal. Everything is just as quaint and homey as it was the last time I was here. Maple Falls could be on the cover of a coffee table book spotlighting the charm of American towns.
I’m looking forward to spending some time in the bookstore before hitting the diner for my favorites. More than anything, I can’t wait to put my boots on and go for a walk in the woods. Asmuch as I enjoy mountain hikes around LA, nothing compares to the forest surrounding my parents’ house.
Unfortunately, my peaceful contemplation doesn’t last long. As soon as I turn down the road to my childhood home, I spot my mom standing on the porch. She’s throwing handfuls of clothes onto the lawn. Pulling in the driveway, I ram the gearshift into park as she yells, “I told you that if you made one more dinner engagement during the weekend I was going to leave you!”
I look around for my dad, but I don’t see him. My mom rants, "But I've decided I’m not going. Instead, you are!”
Getting out of my rental, I glance around to see who she’s talking to, but there’s no one there. “Mom?” I approach her slowly like I’m going to attempt to disarm a robber who’s hopped up on speed. She seemsthatunpredictable.
My older doppelgänger, by twenty-six years, turns around with such force, she nearly falls into the bushes. “Ashlyn, thank God you’re home!” She dumps the remaining load of clothes onto the ground before running toward me with her arms open. Once I’m locked in her embrace, she announces, “You can help your dad pack. He’s moving out.”
Taking a step backwards, I stare at her angry expression. My mom is very pretty. The only noticeable changes to her appearance in the last decade are the slight greying of her auburn bob and the tiny crows’ feet forming around her large green eyes. Other than that, she looks just like she did when I was growing up—beautiful.
“Dad is moving out?” I ask in disbelief.So much for waiting until I got home to try to fix things.
“He doesn’t know it yet, but he sure is.”
Putting my arm around her narrow shoulders, I turn her around and lead her back up the stairs and into the house. For the time being, I leave my dad’s belongings strewn about the yard. “I thought you weren’t going to give him an ultimatum yet. What happened?”
“He just called and told me he wouldn’t be joining me at the Elliots’ dinner party on Friday night because he’s taking the new captain of the Ice Breakers out to eat instead.”
“Why does he need to take a hockey player out?” I ask this even though I’m pretty sure I know the answer.
My mom confirms my suspicions. “Maple Fest.”
Like the rest of us, my dad has always loved Maple Fest, but ever since he became mayor, he’s been downright maniacal about it. “Maybe he can go out with the captain another night,” I suggest.
My mom shakes her head with such force she nearly loses her balance again. “I’m done giving him chances, Ashlyn. He knew we had plans, and he went ahead and chose to do something else.”
Oh, dear. “Why don’t you go upstairs and take a bath?” I suggest. “Maybe take a glass of wine with you.”Or a bottle.
Her head starts to move in a slow nod before it gains speed. “Good idea.”
As she strides toward the kitchen, I yell after her, “I’ll just get my stuff and unpack.” But instead of going to the car, I walk out onto the porch and sit down on the swing. Pulling out my phone, I peruse last minute travel sites in search of someplace to send my parents so they can begin to repair their relationship.
On the third site, I find the perfect getaway—one week in sunny Barbados. The hotel has several small cottages on the property which are nicely isolated from the main building. I impulsively book one of them starting this weekend. That means they need to leave here tomorrow night. Luckily, I find the perfect flight, but the only seats left are in first class. Using all my air miles, I buy the tickets and pray I can pull this off.
Instead of taking my luggage up to my old childhood bedroom, I hurry to pick up my dad’s things off the lawn. Then I get back into my car and point it in the direction of Maple Falls Town Hall. I don’t think I can convince my mom to go awaywith the man who’s causing her such distress, which means I’ll have to start with my dad and hope for the best.
Driving through town, I notice there are actually two new traffic lights which triple the previous number we had. The town seems busier, too. More stores have popped up in the last two years, which I take to mean that Maple Falls’ population is increasing.
Parking on the street in front of Town Hall, I get out and climb the steps two at a time toward the impressive three-story white cement edifice that is the governmental hub of our town. The Greek columned building lends a certain grandeur that far exceeds the norm for small-town Washington.
Once inside, I look for a sign that will take me to the mayor’s office. When I don’t see one, I stop a serious looking woman wearing a black pantsuit. “Can you please tell me where I’d find the mayor’s office?”
Her eyes narrow slightly before she responds, “Second floor. Third door on the right after you get off the elevator.”
