Page 5 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

It was four in the morning when sleep started to tug on her heavy eyelids. Gia blinked slowly and wondered if she had just hit pay dirt meeting Hart that night. He had to be wealthy if he belonged to the country club. And he drove a Mercedes. She shook her head quickly, shame spreading through her entire being. She was not a gold-digger, and no matter how tempting, she would never deliberately date a man because he had cash. Convinced that money was the root of all evil, she felt that people stooped to sordid levels to acquire it. Her late mother was proof of that. As the clock struck five a.m., Gia rolled onto her side, her mind finally shutting down.

***

Hart tried to hold his cell phone to his ear, balancing it between his head and shoulder as he tied his running shoes. His sister, Katie, was going on and on about her latest stop in Chicago to let him know another postcard was on the way. He loved his only sister and was extremely happy for her new life with Grammy-award-winning country artist, “Georgia” Clay Watkins. The two were inseparable since she joined him on tour this past Christmas, Clay encouraging her to accompany him on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the road. Katie threw caution to the wind and gave up her corporate insurance job and was now hobnobbing with a famous country touring artist. Hart knew it was only a matter of time before the two would get hitched, their love for each other something he hoped for in his own life someday.

“Well, I’ll be sure to look for it in the mail,” he said, referring to the postcard and grinning from ear to ear. “And yes, your ferns are doing well. I’m only watering them once a week as you said.”

When his shoes were tied, he sat up and palmed the phone in his hand. “I love you too, baby girl. Give Clay my best.”

The siblings said their goodbyes before he clicked the off button. He sighed and looked around his sister’s condo. She had graciously offered him the job of house-sitting while she was on the road for the next several months and he was in transition. A side perk of house-sitting was not having to pay a sky-high lease every month for his own place. Add to that a great location in Northeast Atlanta, and he was set for the time being.

He shrugged on an old Atlanta Falcons sweatshirt and headed out the door into the crisp, spring morning. Once he was out of the gated community, he started to jog. Atlanta commuters were already lined up on the four-lane streets, trying to get to work in the early morning. He couldn’t help but feel lucky not to be stuck in his car in brutal traffic, able to work out and do whatever he damned well pleased. For the moment, anyway.

Hart jogged around the corner and darted into a small park he had stumbled upon a few weeks earlier. It was always deserted this time of day, the suburban moms still stuck in carpool lines dropping off older siblings before bringing their toddlers out for some fresh air. As his feet padded along the sidewalk among the tall Georgia pines and budding azalea bushes about to pop with bursts of color, his mind wandered to Gia. He was contemplating texting her and asking her to lunch, or dinner. Maybe drinks would be more to her liking, unless she had a gig. A smile spread across his face as he thought about her. He hoped that whatever it was he proposed, she would say “yes.” He wanted to take his time and get to know her. There was something intriguing behind her vivid eyes; the blue reminding him of an unforgettable vacation to Italy when he experienced the famous waters of the blue grotto for the first time. He wanted to dive in, ready to take on a challenge, his pace quickening, his heart pumping his fiery blood through his pulsing veins.

After jogging several miles, pushing his body harder than ever, he stopped to catch his breath at the crosswalk that would take him home. As he waited for the light to change, his phone vibrated in his shorts. Panting, he squinted in the morning light, not recognizing the number. He inhaled deeply before answering.

“This is Hartford Parker.” A huge garbage truck squealed by, making him stick his index finger into his free ear. “Hello? Can you hear me?”

“Hey, Hart. It’s Gia. The girl from last night.”

Hart couldn’t help himself and smiled wide. “Gia? Hey! How are you?” For her to call him the morning after their first meeting was a good sign. It meant she was interested.

“I’m fine, thanks. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

As the garbage truck disappeared over a hill, he took his finger out of his ear and ran his hand through his sweaty hair. “No. No, I’m just finishing up my morning jog in the local park. Sorry about the loud traffic.”

She giggled on the other end. “That’s okay.”

The two didn’t say anything for a beat while Hart paced. “I’d like to see you again, Gia. Is that possible?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m calling. I still have your suit jacket and wanted to get it back to you.”

“Oh. Yes, that’s right.” His face fell with disappointment as he realized she was just calling to make arrangements to get his jacket back to him. He sat on the park bench across from the Marta bus stop and used his sleeve to wipe the sweat profusely running down his face.

“I’d also like to take you to lunch sometime, as a ‘thank you’ for last night. You went above and beyond the call of chivalry by introducing me to those donuts.”

He couldn’t help but laugh out loud, his spirits lifting immediately. “I’d love to join you for lunch, Gia. As a matter-of-fact, I’m free today. Can you meet me today?” He hoped he wasn’t pushing it, but his father always told him to strike when the iron was hot. And she was hot!

“Sure. I can make that happen. I’ll text you the address of a place I think you’ll like and you can meet me there.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Relief washed over him, knowing he was going to see the mysterious woman again. “I’ll be there at noon.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you soon, Hart.”

“See ya, Gia.” He waited until she hung up first and couldn’t help but whoop out loud and fist-bump the air. When he looked back at his phone, he realized he finally had something to look forward to. So much so, he planned on being fashionably early.

Chapter Four

Hart parked his car near the entrance of the free-standing diner, making sure to lock it, his Mercedes sticking out like a shiny new toy in a dumpster. The funny thing was, he knew this area well. His years as a young, impressionable boy riding along with his father, accompanying him on real estate deals quickly came to mind. That was back in the days of a stiff drink and a handshake which was as good as any signed legal document today. He couldn’t help but smile, reminiscing about an innocent time in his life, looking up to the one man who had always been and always would be larger than life to him. He also couldn’t help but assess the area, just as his father would have. The free-standing building was smack dab in the middle of the parking lot with a long row of stores in an aging strip mall behind it. It was an eclectic mix of shops situated in the run-down area. The old, outdated signage and several vacant businesses made him sad in a way. Back in the day, Hart remembered the surrounding community as vibrant, the streets and shops full of life. Now, the area looked like it was on its last leg, the deteriorating structures, and vacant homes nearby more of an eyesore. Because of the recent recession, Hart wondered if some of the landlords became too cash-strapped to spend money on the upkeep. Following in the footsteps of his father as a once-successful real estate broker, Hart automatically went through a checklist of what would bring the area back to life: some painting and parking restriping, façade renovations, and creative marketing first and foremost. Perhaps renegotiating tax incentives with the local government would bring some new life into the area? He chuckled, realizing he missed being in the business world. It was time to make an effort and get back in the game. His thoughts were quickly dashed again to present day. Looking around at the crumbling, unappealing real estate, he couldn’t help but think about his own career that was in the toilet. With everything Hart had been through in the last six months, it was a wonder his father hadn’t disowned him outright, his disapproving glares and comments almost too much to bear. It would take Mr. Parker, Sr. a very long time to get over Hart’s indiscretions and the embarrassment he had caused the family. That, and the fact Hart was officially unemployed and living with his sister.

As he pulled the diner door open, the mouth-watering aroma of home-cooking hit him, and he inhaled deeply. His thoughts shifted to the woman waiting inside. Standing tall on the ancient linoleum-covered floor in the small foyer, Hart looked around the interior of the place, his stomach grumbling with hunger—and butterflies. It was odd feeling anxious. He was usually so calm, cool, and collected around the ladies. His pulse quickened as he searched the diner, but there was no sign of Gia. He decided to go ahead and get the corner booth by a large window, anticipating his reunion with her. A curvy African-American woman with a definite swing in her step brought him a glass of water, her Southern drawl comforting.

“Just you today or are you waitin’ for others?” she asked.

Hart smiled looking up at her. “I’m waiting for someone. She should be here any…” He was interrupted when the waitress suddenly laughed out loud, holding her arms out. To his surprise, Gia walked straight into her embrace and they bear-hugged.

“It’s so good to see you, sweet girl! It’s been too long.” Gia winked at him with her chin on the waitress’s shoulder before pulling back and shaking her head as she continued to clasp hands with the waitress. “I’m so glad you’re back, Angel. You were sorely missed around this place. Are you getting your strength back? You look good!”

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