Page 9 of One Chance to Stay
I couldn’t help but crack a smile. Once upon a time, every epiphany started because of something a girl had said, mostly as they packed their bags and left. This time, it wasn’t a tragedy that started the questioning. It wasn’t the kiss, not exactly. It was what it stirred up. Questions I hadn’t asked. I wasn’t even sure what I was feeling—only that I hadn’t stopped feeling it since.
The moments leading up to it, where I sat and tried to reach this man, who was having a terrible night. Something I did caused that reaction. His scruffy lip pressed against mine highlighted the fact that it helped. Reaching people was my superpower, but something about this one tugged at me. I could make a joke about the whole situation, but something about that didn’t feel quite right. This would require more than journaling. I needed air. People. Something real to ground me again.
“Wasn’t sure you’d brave the cold two nights in a row.”
Too soon. I frowned at Jon. “If it wasn’t for your sister’s knitting, I’d still be in bed.” I pulled my hands out of my pockets to reveal multicolored mittens. “And socks to match!”
“Seriously though, are you okay?” I climbed onto the cement table, taking a seat next to him. “I was stuck shoveling in front of the library last night. Trying to score brownie points with Tyler after he found out I don’t like Charles Dickens.”
“I’m good. Not sure why I’m sitting out in the cold willingly, but otherwise, okay.” I wouldn’t last long. I’d put in some face time, and then I’d head back to the bed-and-breakfast and take a nice, long soak in the tub. The water heater was going to get a workout.
“Wait.” It took a second before I remembered he dated a librarian. “Who doesn’t like Dickens?”
He threw his arms up in the air. “Not you, too.”
On the ice, I watched as Amanda skated backward, holding the hands of a young girl. When she let go, and the girl’s arms pinwheeled before she caught her balance. Amanda cheered loud enough that we could hear her enthusiasm.
I scanned the crowd looking for… “Wow.” In the middle of the ice, I spotted the big guy spinning in circles. As he brought his arms in tight, the spinning sped up until he was almost a blur. With a well-placed skate, he flew backward, kicking up a sheet of ice as he ground to a halt.
Jon must have seen my jaw drop. “I wasn’t kidding. He still has the leotard. Bedazzled and shiny. The whole nine yards.”
“Firefly is full of surprises.”
“Not to be nosy?—”
“That’s a lie,” I said.
“Totally being nosy.” Jon laughed. “What happened last night?”
I explained how I found a house and caught Seamus before he went to bed. As I recounted the events, I left out details. Something about the folded clothes and the breakfast feltintimate. Jon’s upturned eyebrow said he wanted more, but I kept those moments in confidence.
“Do you know him?”
“Seamus?” Jon shook his head. “I mean, I knowofhim like I do every person in Firefly. He keeps to himself.”
I wanted to know why he lived on the outskirts of town. Everybody here seemed part of the community, like an extended family. They might be up in one another’s business at all times, but it was always done with the best of intentions. Yet, Seamus sat on the outside, not far enough away to be a hermit, but far enough to be a stranger in his own community. If Jon didn’t know anything about him, I’d have to go to the source.
“Come on,” I said.
“What?”
“We’re going on the ice.” I hopped off the table and offered my hand. “Unless you’re scared.”
“We don’t have skates.”
Despite his protests, he took my hand. I couldn’t stand on the sidelines and let Jason and Amanda have all the fun. We crunched through the snow until we reached the ice. I charged forward, sliding into the middle of the rink.
“Too scared for skates,” Amanda said, moving in a slow circle around me.
“I’d say a big boy on skates is dangerous.” Jason stopped short, kicking up a shower of ice. “How could I compete with that?”
“You couldn’t,” Jason said. He moved up behind me and gripped my waist. As he pushed, Amanda took my hands, guiding me along. I remained rigid as they pulled me around the ice.
Meanwhile, Jon’s arms flailed as he stepped onto the ice. He had barely made it three feet before he tumbled and sprawled. If that wasn’t funny enough, the young girl giggling at his mishap made me laugh out loud. When Amanda let go and Jason gave a final push, I could feel my knees shaking. A second later, Iskid along my stomach until I bumped into the snow bank. The universe had paid me back in spades.
Amanda hovered over me, shaking her head. “Maybe you should stick to snowmen.”
I rolled onto my back and shucked a snowball at her. Her face turned to shock as she looked down at the circular splatter on her chest.
