Page 31 of Finding Home
“I’m sorry…what?”
“You heard correctly.” I begin to laugh. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I’m going to figure it out.”
“I’m still over here trying to visualize you using a power washer. I can’t see it. Now the question is, what do you plan on washing with this thing?”
“What, like it’s hard?” I scoff. “And I’m going to power wash the outside of the house.”
She laughs incredulously.
“Don’t laugh at me,” I tell her, despite me actually laughing as well. “This is me finding my independence, remember? I have to learn how to do this. Iwantto learn how to do this. I own a home now. I think this is part of that process.”
“You’re right. I have full faith in you, sis.”
“Thank you,” I say proudly. “I’m going to let you go so I can get this project started. I’m confident it’s going to take me most of the day just learning how to turn the thing on.”
She barks out a laugh. “Have fun.”
The General Store is a lot less busy than it was last time I was here. Probably because I made it here early in the day. I don’t know why more places don’t have something like this. It’s truly the town’s one-stop shop. It stretches the whole block. One side of the store is where you can shop for groceries, the middle of the store is apparel, while the other side is all household supplies. Including paint, hardware, and those types of things that I wouldn’t even know the names of.
It’s weird and foreign to me, but I don’t hate it.
I’m used to having to go to one place for groceries, another for clothes, and then a specific spot for household supplies. Then again, I’ve never had to shop for household stuff.
Stopping by the clothing racks first, I realize I need something for today because the weather is on the warmer side. It’s wild how different each day is here.
Even the clothing here is different from the city. Most of the stores in the city were filled with designer things or outfits for people who worked in offices. None of this is what I’m used to wearing.
But I’m here to embrace the changes.
I see a cute pair of jean shorts, and the first one on the rack is my size, which is a total sign I need them. Next to it is a light blue crew neck that readsBluestoneon it.
Would it be weird to buy a shirt with the town name on it?
It feels kind of touristy, and that’s the last thing I’m trying to feel here.
Lifting it up to assess the front and back, I spot a familiar face and pause.
Griffin Barlow.
My eyebrows pinch together, and I feel a sense of annoyance course through me as I lift the sweatshirt to hide myself and hope he doesn’t see me. I won’t let him ruin this already positive day.
When I find the guts to peek over the hanger again, he’s gone.
In his place I see a strange man staring at me as if he were here for me. At least that’s what it looks like with the way he doesn’t move or look away. My insides flutter with nerves and the uneasiness of his posture. It’s stiff, as if he’s saying “got ya” in his head. After three seconds too long, he looks away and walks out of the store.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I decide I’m getting the crewneck. It’s light enough to wear during these crisp days, but not thick enough that I’ll sweat if the sun peeks out.
Making my way to the hardware side of the store, my eyes land on a pair of rain boots. The cutest pair of high-top pink boots. I can’t help it when my eyes light up.
These would be perfect for today’s mission.
Different than what I’m used to, but perfect.
The moment I cross the threshold to the hardware section, I feel overwhelmed. I find myself questioning if I’m getting in over my head here.
A clerk walks by, and I stop him.
“Excuse me, sir, I’m looking to buy a power washer.”
