Page 25 of Beat around the Bush
“Honey, talk to me. What’s going on?” Her accusing tone went soft, her concern seeping in and making me miss home.
Telling my mom that my dad was trying to make me pick sides between the two of them was the last thing I wanted on her mind. She knew how mad he was, but I didn’t want to cause a bigger feud than there already was between them.
“I just felt like a fresh start would help clear my head. I’m safe, I promise. I’ve got a little house I’m renting and everything.” Well, everything besides money in my bank account, a car ready for the snow, and food in my cabinets.
“Can I ask where this fresh start landed you?” I could hear the smile in her voice. She’d always been my biggest supporter, and I loved her for it. She’d always tell me that no idea was stupid, even if it fails. She was one of those live-life-to-the-fullest kind of women, and that meant no holding back.
Last I knew, my parents weren’t on speaking terms, so there wasn’t any harm in telling her. “Bell Buckle. It’s a really small town in Idaho.”
“Are there hot cowboys?” she asked jokingly.
I smiled, missing my mom all the more. “There may be.”
“Well, when you rope one in, I want to hear all about it.”
Shaking my head, I turned from the phone to turn the burner off on the stove, removing my now-boiling pot of water and pouring it into the styrofoam cup full of dried noodles.
My mom was living with her new boyfriend in Denver, but I felt awkward asking how they were doing. It felt like I was going behind my dad’s back in some way if I talked about the new guy. Their relationship was rocky, but I never thought she was unhappy enough to find another man. The news had come as a shock, and while I didn’t condone what she did, I was too close with my mom to hate her for it. She was like my best friend growing up, but her actions changed that dynamic. I did my best to keep things somewhat the same with her, but what she did to my dad was always in the back of my mind. “Can I call you later? I have a few errands to run since it’s my day off.”
Dumping the rest of the water down the sink, I set the pot back on the stove to cool down, then turned back to the phone. “Sounds permanent if you have a job, too,” my mom commented.
She was asking if I was staying, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how to respond. I liked it here so far, but I wasn’t sure if it was my final destination. I could go anywhere I wanted. Once I had the money, of course. Did I want to stay in Bell Buckle for the foreseeable future? Lay down roots and establish a life here?
“I’m not sure about Bell Buckle yet, but I’ll let you know.”
“Where are you working?” she asked.
“A feed store. It’s pretty laid back and my coworkers are nice.” I was careful to leave Lennon out of it. If my mom heard there was a sweet, walk-you-to-the-door, take-care-of-you-when-you’re-drunk type of guy involved, she’d never get off the phone.
“Can’t wait to hear all about it. Enjoy your day, sweetie. I love you.”
“Love you, too. Bye, Mom.” I hung up the phone and grabbed my noodles, ripping the lid the rest of the way off and throwing it in the trash. I saw there was a piece of paper crumpled on the top of my mountain of styrofoam cups in the trash. The same type of paper that Lennon had scribbled his note on.
I froze, wondering if he saw the contents of my trash. He must have thoughtIwas trash for eating ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I reached into the bin, grabbing the note off the top, and unfolded it, doing my best to flatten out thewrinkles.
There were a few scribbled out bits, but at the end - when he must’ve given up - it read:
It’s too cold in here, so I turned the heater on. I’ll cover the cost, just stay warm.
And I swore it saidfor meat the end of the sentence, but it was so blacked out with ink, I could barely make it out.
Tossing the paper back in the trash and grabbing my food off the counter, I headed for the couch and imagined it was a dish from a Michelin star restaurant.
***
I was cursing myself for not bringing a warmer jacket with me when I left Denver. I’d layered my gray sweatshirt under my denim jacket, but the cold still seeped through the fabric, biting at my skin. I refused to wear Lennon’s jacket, no matter how cold it was. I appreciated the thought behind it, but wearing it was a one-time thing. I’d also spaced on my way out and completely forgot it at home.
“Good morning,” I greeted the woman behind the counter of Bell Buckle Brews.
“Good morning,” she said right as a child darted out from the door behind the bakery display. “Avery, please go draw while Mommy works. I’ll be back there in an hour.”
“But I don’t wanna draw,” the little girl complained as she tried to open the bakery case, her eyes locked on a pink donut.
I smiled at the girl as the woman turned her attention back to me. “Sorry about her. I don’t have a babysitter at the moment, so she has to come to work with me.”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s totally fine. I love kids,” I said. “How old is she?”
