“So you’ve lived here for four years?”
“Just about.”
Bailey nodded. She glanced around the room. “Now I regret being mad and hating you all these years. I’m still confused because if you truly wanted to find me, you would have kept searching until you did.”
Linda winced like Bailey had punched her in the gut. “I never gave up. I was still searching for you. I constantly thought about you. I wondered where you were. I called everywhere I could think of and asked if they knew you.” Linda shook her head.
Bailey leaned forward. “Really?”
Linda nodded. “There’s no sense dwelling on it. The past is in the past. The past is only good for two things, memories and making us a better person.”
Amelia realized where Bailey got her words of wisdom from. They were identical in knowing what to say and when to say it. Amelia smiled.
“So what has happened in your life since becoming sober?” Bailey asked.
“We don’t have much time, honey. It’d take me hours to tell you.”
Bailey smiled and looked at Amelia. “That’s good because we are staying here for a while.”
Amelia squeezed Bailey’s hand. She was happy they came here. She was proud of Bailey. She knew this visit overwhelmed Bailey. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it was for someone to live without a mother for six years. Also with knowing they left you for their own selfish reasons. She knew Bailey had been to hell and back throughout her young adult life. She went through a divorce with her parents, which was tragic enough. She had watched her father slowly die from the big C word everyone dreads to say. When he died, like losing a father wasn’t enough, her mother decided she didn’t know how to cope with the loss of her ex-husband so she turned to alcohol to comfort her, and left Bailey and Kim to fend for themselves. Bailey lost her father to cancer and her mother to an addiction. A disease with a cure. A cure for the disease that is lost within the battle against it. Bailey’s mother was right. Addiction was an ugly thing.
Amelia shook her head. Bailey and Linda discussed what they have missed in each other’s lives over the last six years.
Relationship status was brought up. Bailey explained why she was single. Amelia stated, “She might not be by the time we leave Bexley.”
Bailey elbowed her. “Shh.”
Linda grinned. “Why’s that?”
Bailey shook her head. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
Amelia looked at Linda and said, “Some guy at the gas station. They had a connection. Love at first sight.”
Linda smiled and asked Bailey, “Benjamin?”
Bailey blushed. She looked at Linda and asked, “Do you know him?”
Linda nodded her head. “He’s the one I hired to landscape my yard.”
“He’s a landscaper?” Bailey asked.
“Yes, he is. He’s a good one, too.” Linda smiled.
“Why does he work at the gas station, then?”
“Two jobs are better than one, I assume.” Linda stated. She laughed and asked, “Do you want his number?”
“No, I’m fine.” Bailey sat back. “Besides, I like being single.”
Linda chuckled lightly. “Ok. I can give it to you whenever you want it.”
Bailey shook her head. “Enough about me. What about you? Did you remarry?”
Bailey looked at the pictures on the walls. A man stood beside her mother in most of the pictures.
Linda nodded and followed Bailey’s gaze to the pictures. “He was nothing like your dad, Bai.” She frowned. “I don’t know why I even thought about remarrying. Let alone getting married to a man like this.”
When she said like this, Amelia knew she meant rich. Amelia could tell Linda and her daughters were far from rich and they had no desire to be.
With silence, Linda continued on, “I thought with me recovering from being an alcoholic and starting fresh, it wouldn’t hurt to fall in love. I did just that. But it wasn’t the same. Dan filled the emptiness I felt, but he was nothing like your dad.”
Bailey interrupted, “But you divorced Dad. Why would you want another man like Dad?”
Linda shook her head. She refused to answer the question. “So we got married and soon after we married, the honeymoon phase ended. He became a man I didn’t know.”
Hours passed quickly as the three of them talked and shared stories. Some stories were sad, some were happy, and some were scary. Amelia listened as Linda told them about the dark side of addiction. The story Linda told about alcoholism lasted about an hour. When she was finished, Bailey asked her about her husband, Dan.
“We aren’t married now.” Linda looked around the living room. Empty wedding frames sat on the shelves and some hung on the walls. “We finalized the divorce this summer. What a relief it was.”
Bailey looked at the empty frames where pictures of the married couple had once been. “Why do you keep some of the pictures up?”
Linda shrugged. “I guess I haven’t gotten around to taking them down yet.” Linda swallowed hard. “Maybe to remind me of my mistakes and emptiness.”
“You should probably take them down. It’s not good to dwell in self-pity.”
Linda fidgeted. She shifted in her chair. “I guess you’re right. Self-pity never did me any favors. And no sense torturing myself with the pictures. The memories are tormenting enough.” Linda stood and took the frames off the walls.
Bailey stretched and yawned. “It’s getting late. I’m tired.”
Amelia looked at the clock: 11:00.
“I’m used to going to bed late. I suppose I should let you girls get some sleep.”
Bailey nodded. “We have tomorrow. We can talk more then.”
Linda smiled. “I’m glad you’re here, Bailey.” She hugged Bailey.
“I am, too,” Bailey said. “I’m glad Amelia talked me into coming.”
Amelia smiled. Linda turned her attention to Amelia. She smiled and took her hand. “Thank you.”
Amelia nodded and smiled. “I’m glad we’re here.”
“Follow me, girls.” They followed Linda down a hallway and into a guest bedroom. “Are you girls okay with sharing a bed?”
Bailey and Amelia laughed. By now, they were too tired to care if they slept in the same bed. “Yep.”
“If you need extra blankets they’re in the closet in the room.” Linda opened the door and turned on the light. “Sometimes it gets chilly at night.”
“Okay.” Bailey said.
Linda gripped her hands together then dropped her hands at her sides. “Well, I’ll let you girls get some sleep. I'll see you both in the morning. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Amelia and Bailey said.
They changed into their pajamas and hopped into the twin sized bed. Within minutes they fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The next morning, they woke up to the smell of coffee and breakfast. Bacon, eggs, and toast awaited them at the table.
Linda smiled at them when they entered the kitchen. “Good morning. How’d you sleep?”
“Good. We were out like lights as soon as we laid down.” Bailey said.
“That’s good. You girls needed sleep.” Linda walked to the counter and grabbed two glasses. “I was going to get you both coffee, but I wasn’t sure if you like coffee.”
“That’s fine. I don’t drink coffee.” Bailey admitted.
“Thank you. I don’t drink coffee, either. I’ll take a glass of milk, though.” Amelia said politely.
Linda nodded. “I can get you milk. Bailey, do you want a glass of milk too?”
Bailey held her glass. “Yes, please.”
Linda poured the milk and sat down to eat.
“Where do you girls work?”
Bailey answered first. “I work at the hospital.”
Linda’s eye widened. “What do you do at the hospital? Are you a nurse or doctor?”
Bailey shook her head. “I wish. I’m a housekeeper. I love what
I do.”
“That’s good. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.” Linda looked at Amelia, “What about you?”
“I’m a jack of all trades at the local grocery store.”
“Do you girls live in a big town or small town?”
“We live in Fairshore. We live across the street from each other,” Bailey stated. “It’s a small town.”
“So you’re not used to big towns? Like this one?”
“Nope. This town gave me a headache right away.”
“What about you? What do you do for a job?” Amelia asked Linda.
“I’m a counselor. I work at the school here in town. I also work in a building downtown.”
“Interesting. Counselor for what?” Amelia asked.
“Addiction.” Linda said. “I figure I could inform students about addiction. What better way to get information than from someone who has been through it?”
Amelia agreed. “That’s very true. It helps to hear from other people who have experienced similar life experiences. I’m sure it helps your clients understand they are not alone. To let them know they aren’t the only ones facing addiction. It’s great that you’re there for them. Not only to guide them or support them, but to understand them.”
Linda pointed a finger at Amelia with excitement. “Yes! Exactly! These kids appreciate it. Sometimes they struggle to say it, but I know they’re grateful. I know that I’m the only person some of them have.” Linda’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s ironic how my life has turned out. I turned my back on the ones I loved because of addiction. Now I’m helping people who have loved ones who have turned their backs on them because of their addiction. It’s almost like it revolves in a full circle. Three-hundred and sixty degrees.”
“Good karma,” Bailey suggested. “Helping others through their darkest time, helps you through yours.”
Amelia nodded. Linda said, “That’s a good way to see it. God knows I need all the help I can get. Every day is a struggle.” Linda took the last bite of her breakfast. “No day is guaranteed. Nothing is promised.”
“That’s the truth. That’s true with every aspect of life.” Bailey stated.
Linda sighed. “It’s kind of scary. One minute I’m a recovering alcoholic and the next minute I could be back to drinking.”
“So are you still attending the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings?” Amelia asked. She was interested with Linda’s story.
“Yes. They’re my support. Even though I get a lot from my clients, I still need support from people my age who have experienced addiction.” Linda continued, “I’ll probably attend the meetings until the day I die.”
Amelia looked at Bailey. She could tell by the look on Bailey’s face that she was scared for her mother. She had every reason to be. Addiction was scary. It was scary for everyone involved. Amelia knew that Linda constantly treaded deep water. One mistake and she would drown in her addiction once again. She knew that Linda constantly toed the thin line between living a normal life and being an alcoholic.
Linda cleared her throat. “Enough about me. You girls don’t need to hear any more about my poor choices.” She looked at the clock. “Do you girls want a tour of Bexley? There’s plenty to do and plenty of time. What do you girls say?”
* * *
Amelia and Bailey got into Linda’s Chevy Malibu. Bailey sat in the front with her mother. Amelia sat in the backseat behind Linda.
“Did you girls drive into town on Summit Dell Avenue?”
Bailey nodded and replied, “Yep. We’ve seen all of the restaurants and half of the population at the gas station.”
Amelia chuckled. “And a certain someone, too.” She loved how dramatic Bailey could be. It was fun entertainment. There was never a dull moment when Bailey was around.
Bailey tried to ignore Amelia’s statement. Linda laughed. “We can go to the gas station later. There’s more to see right now.” She looked over at Bailey and smiled. Bailey’s face was red as she looked out her window.
Linda drove the car down the busy streets. People walked with their kids and their dogs. Every so often, Linda returned a wave to someone who waved at her. They drove by a park. The park was big and the kids played. They climbed slides, played on the swings, and some ran around. Amelia assumed they were playing tag.
“How many people live in this town? A million?” Bailey asked. “People are everywhere.”
Linda answered, “I’d say roughly a couple thousand or so.”
Bailey shook her head. “Well where I live, there are only a thousand. This town is way bigger than Fairshore.” Bailey looked out the window. “I mean, in Fairshore we have small businesses and family-owned restaurants.”
“We have those here, too,” Linda clarified.
“You might but you also have some big chain restaurants. I’ve only seen them on commercials. But then again, I don’t ever travel outside of Fairshore.”
Linda laughed. She pulled the car into a parking space in front of a store on what appeared to be the main street. “This is my favorite store.”
“What kind of store is it?” Bailey asked while getting out of the car.
“You’ll see.” Linda said as she grabbed her keys and tapped the lock button as she got out of the car.
Amelia looked at the sign above the door. Fancy Nancy. “Interesting name,” Amelia said, almost to herself.
Bailey agreed. “I like the name. Is this place owned by a Nancy?” she asked her mother. Linda shrugged her shoulders. Bailey looked at Amelia. “Maybe this store’s a family-owned business?”
“Maybe.” Amelia said as she followed Linda and Bailey through the door.
The store was brightly lit. Shelves lined the store’s walls. Throughout the store, knick-knacks sat on the shelving units and clothes hung from racks.
Amelia zigzagged through the shelves. “Bailey, you must be in heaven.”
“I am! I love thrift stores!” Bailey said as she got excited. “I haven’t been in one for ages!”
Linda smiled. “I love them, too. Like I said in the car, this is my favorite store.”
Amelia smiled. She had known Bailey for roughly a month and knew Bailey loved thrift stores. Bailey loved knick-knacks and any other item that could be given to someone as a sentimental gift. Amelia thought it was amazing that a mother and daughter could have so much in common, even when they lost contact with each other for six years.
“I used to bring Bailey with me every time I went shopping. Kim hated thrift stores, but not Bailey. I’m glad we still have that in common,” Linda said as she smiled at Bailey.
Bailey’s face brightened with a smile. “Those are good memories. I loved making Kim mad and jealous. She would never go with Mom and me, but wanted my things when I showed them to her,” Bailey explained to Amelia. “I always told her to come with us. She had no idea what she was missing out on.”
Linda shook her head and chuckled at the memory. “She thought thrift stores were for bums.”
Amelia laughed.
Bailey said, “Mom and I could never convince her that thrift stores weren’t dirty. They were places people gave their junk and unwanted items to.”
Linda looked at Bailey and Amelia. “Bai and I used to say one woman’s junk is another woman’s treasure.”
Amelia nodded. “Sounds about right.”
Bailey said, “Kim said it was our motto. You want to know something funny?” She didn’t wait for a response before she continued, “She actually thought shopping at thrift stores was like diving in a dumpster.”
Amelia shook her head. “That makes no sense. Yet she wanted your things?”
Bailey laughed and nodded.
They looked around. After Linda bought a few trinkets, they left Fancy Nancy’s store. As they drove, Linda asked, “I’m getting hungry. Do you girls want to go eat?”
“Sure.”
“But where? I’ve never ate at a seafood restaurant or a steakhouse,” Bailey stated.
Linda glanced at Bailey and raised an eyebrow. “Never?”
Bailey shook her head. “Fairshore must be too small for them to locate there.”
“Let’s go to Shrimpy’s. Their food is delicious,” Linda suggested.
“I’ve never eaten at a seafood restaurant,” Amelia admitted.
“You girls are missing out. Seafood is the best.”
“The closest seafood I’ve ever eaten was frozen fish sticks,” Bailey said.
“You’re going to love Shrimpy’s,” Linda insisted.
She drove the car into a parking lot. The parking lot was nearly empty. A few cars were parked in it.
“Ready?” Linda asked. “And don’t take your wallets. This is on me.”
Amelia got out of the car. She looked at the restaurant. It was outlined with a pirate ship. A pirate with a hook on his right arm stood at the bow of the ship. He had a large fish on his hook.
“This place looks awesome,” Bailey said.
They climbed the stairs. At the top of the stairs, a wooden deck wrapped around the bow of the ship. Tables and chairs were positioned strategically on the deck.
Amelia followed Bailey and Linda on the deck and through the door. Once they ordered their food, they walked out of the small cabin and back outside. They sat at a table.
“This is amazing. So much detail. It’s so realistic,” Bailey stated.
“I agree,” Amelia said as she looked around.
Their food was served twenty minutes later.
“This is good,” Amelia said.
“It beats frozen fish sticks. Thanks, Mom.”
“Thanks, Linda.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re enjoying it here.”
“We are. This vacation has been great,” Bailey said.
Amelia nodded. “It has been amazing.”
“That’s good to hear. Where are you girls headed to when you leave later today?”
Amelia and Bailey exchanged looks. “Probably back home,” Bailey said. “I miss my Bella.”
“I need to check on Anna’s store,” Amelia said before she took her last bite of food.
Second Chances (Fairshore Series Book 1) Page 17
