“Hey! Shush, it’s okay, Sam. Who’s here? What’s happened?” I could tell from her voice I was freaking her out. “Has someone hurt you? Shall I call the cops?” Her voice started to rise and I had to reel in my emotions enough so I could talk.
“Not physically no, I just don’t know what to do. Connor’s back.”
She had a puzzled look on her face and I realized I’d never told her about Connor before, preferring to keep him in the past, so I started from the beginning.
“Well, shit… and he came here to see you?” I shook my head.
“No, he had no intention of seeing me. But he’s the one that’s been leaving those key chains I keep finding, like it’s some sort of sick joke. He’s been here every year, Kee.”
She pulled a face. “Do you think he wants to make amends?”
I thought about that for a second. “I have no idea what he wants and I’m not quite sure I care. He was more than a best friend to me, he was my lifeline back then and I lost both him and Tommy all in the same night. When I saw him today, I didn’t know what to do. My body just had a mind of its own. I froze at first then I just got this blinding rage and went all hulk on him.”
Getting up to get me a tissue, she looked puzzled. “Were you two ever, you know, together?”
I thought back to our teen years. “There was a kiss once on my sixteenth birthday but it was never talked about, or mentioned, after it happened. It wasn’t like I didn’t want there to be, I just didn’t want to ruin our friendship. Plus, I was sure he only saw me as his best friend, more like a sister type than anything else.”
Keeley sniggered then looked at me guiltily. “Sorry, Sam, but people don’t just kiss their so-called sisters, well, the majority of people don’t. He was definitely crushing on you.”
There was no way, besides it didn’t even matter now.
We sat in silence for a few minutes until the tears were steadily making tracks down my cheeks again, I didn’t know how I had any left to cry but they just kept coming. Keeley kept her distance, which I was thankful for, I wasn’t the type to be overly comforted.
Suddenly, she broke the silence. “Hey, you remember when I said Lewis was sitting with a guy at the BBQ place when I turned up?” I nodded. “Well his name was Connor.” She let that sink in then continued, “And when I went to the garage to apologize tonight, he was walking out as I walked in.”
So Lewis had known all this time that he had been coming back, that he was here and he didn’t tell me? My tears turned to anger and I wanted to march over to the garage to give him a piece of my mind.
“Sam, I can see the wheels turning in that head of yours, maybe he didn’t know? Maybe they just bumped into each other?” She was trying to make excuses for him.
I scoffed. “Look, I know you like him, Kee. You don’t have to look away, it’s obvious and it’s fine by me, I’m just angry at him right now. How could he not tell me?” Standing up to make a drink, she started to say something but changed her mind. “What was that?”
“Oh, erm, you don’t think he’s using me to get to you do you? I mean, I apologized for being a total bitch yesterday and he invited me in for a beer. It was nice you know? It felt easy with him and he didn’t ask me about my past which, for once, was a breath of fresh air.”
I walked into the open plan kitchen and sat at the breakfast counter. “Of course not. Like I said, Kee, he’s a nice guy and he has his priorities straight. I don’t think he even ever liked me really.” I winked at her. “So you’re good, you do need to spill though. Go on, take my mind off all of this!”
She passed me a glass of water and started to tell me what they’d talked about. I knew she liked him but she was still holding back.
The conversation changed to the fundraiser and what I’d managed to do so far. Yawning, I looked at the clock, I needed my bed. I started to gather my things together before saying goodnight and heading towards my room.
“Sam?” I swung my head around towards her. “You’re going to be fine you know that, right? Connor better hope that he doesn’t cross my path, just wait until he gets a piece of me.” She had a scowl on her face that only made me laugh.
“You’re one in a billion, Keeley Michaels.” Colour rushed to her cheeks and she said a quick goodnight before heading for the bathroom. But I hoped he wasn’t here to cross paths with either me or Keeley, a tight feeling in my chest told me that was wishful thinking, things were never that simple.
Startling awake, I sat bolt upright and turned on the lamp that sat on my bedside table. The image of Tommy as he lay in my arms was still stuck in my head and was heart-breaking.
He was just a little kid.
Swinging my legs over the bed and padding to the bathroom, I splashed my face with water and ran a hand over the back of my neck. This had to stop, she had to know it wasn’t my fault, right?
Walking back into the room, I turned on my cell to check the time, it was six in the morning so it wasn’t too early but I couldn’t sit around in this room. Deciding to go for a run, I slipped on my shorts, shirt and sneakers then grabbed my key to leave at the front desk and made my way out the door.
“Morning, Mac, you’re up early.” Mr Holroyd was sat with his feet up on the desk like usual.
“Morning, Mr Holroyd… Sorry, Lyle,” I said, shaking my head and correcting myself. “Yeah, I couldn’t get back to sleep so I’m going for a run before it gets too hot. Could you keep my key here please? I don’t want to risk losing it.”
He took the key from me and nodded his head. “Sure. Betty will be in the kitchen ready to make your breakfast when you get back too. Enjoy your run.” I waved at him before heading out the door and up the street.
It was hot already this early in the day, the air was so different to back home and I found myself getting out of breath much quicker. After what I thought was about two miles, I turned around and made my way back to the B&B.
On arrival, I was dripping with sweat and couldn’t wait to get into a freezing cold shower. Stepping into the building, I grabbed my key and made a beeline for my room.
Throughout my shower, all I could think about was Sammy. Those soft curves of hers and her full lips, damn those lips. I’d only ever gotten to taste them once. I always knew there was something there, on my end there was anyway. I wasn’t sure if she thought of me as more than a friend so I didn’t bring it up again and neither did she so I was sure I overstepped the mark.
Getting out, I wrapped a towel around my waist. I still had some time before I could head over to see Lewis so I went down for some breakfast to kill time.
Walking into the dining room, I greeted the two other guests and Betty came through to take my order.
“Good morning! What can I get for you? We’ve got pancakes, bacon, eggs, you name it!” she said enthusiastically. I asked for a glass of water, coffee and some pancakes before she wandered off back into the kitchen.
The dining room looked out onto the backyard and I really wanted to be out there. Standing up, I walked to the kitchen and knocked on the door but when there was no answer I opened it to Betty humming a tune whilst flipping my pancakes.
“Would you mind if I sat outside for breakfast?”
“Of course not! Now, out of my kitchen before I burn your breakfast.” She shooed me with her hand.
I chuckled. “Thanks, Mrs Holroyd.”
All I heard was her shout ‘it’s Betty’ through the door as I closed it behind me. I shut my eyes at the tranquillity of this place, I really did love it here. It was quiet, apart from the few people driving past in cars as they made their way to work.
My cell rang at that moment and I paused at the name mom. I stared at it as my thumb hovered over the answer button then shook my head before pressing decline. I felt bad but I didn’t need to speak to her right now, I’d shoot her a quick text after breakfast to let her know I was okay though. I didn’t want her to worry.
Taking out my step dad’s presence, my childhood was a good one. My mom wa
s a good mom, our circumstances just made it so we didn’t get to go out and do things a regular family did. She wanted to work and go out and meet people but he’d never let her out the house.
Squeezing my hands into fists, I realized that she had everything she wanted now and I relaxed. She had a job in a little boutique clothes shop, a great house and a loving husband who treated her like a man should treat his wife. He knew how much she loved to travel so he whisked her away any chance that he got.
I was cautious about him when we first met but I soon warmed up to him once I saw how much he cared for my mom and now we really got along, which made my mom so happy. Pete was a good guy and I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserved my mom’s trust more than him.
I only wished I could treat someone like that someday. Thinking about that someone got me onto thinking about what I was going to say to Lewis and Keeley, I hoped they would both play ball, otherwise my plan went up in flames.
I had a restless sleep having woken up sporadically throughout the night. Around five, I decided to just get up and get myself ready for the long day ahead. As much as I tried, the lingering thoughts of Connor still stuck in my mind.
By eight, I was sitting at our breakfast counter stirring a black coffee, the same one I’d been nursing half hour before. I’d already got myself ready and cleaned the apartment from top to bottom so I had nothing else to do.
I sat here, mesmerized by the spoon swirling around, already not looking forward to the day ahead; it was not going to be one of my best. Just as I was about to pour myself a fresh cup, Keeley came shuffling out of her room, hair dishevelled and her pyjama top twisted. “Morning.” I got a grunt in return and watched her get out a cup of her own and hold it out to me.
“Why are you so awake?” She looked at me through droopy eyes. “I like your hair today,” she said and I smiled at her compliment. Getting up early had its perks.
“Well, some of us didn’t get much sleep last night so I decided to get up and actually do something with my hair, not that I should’ve bothered, the heat will have at it anyways. I also got started on making a list of what needs to be done today in regards to the fundraiser. The apartment isn’t a shit hole anymore either so I’m labelling this a productive morning.”
Taking a sip of her coffee, she started making her way to the bathroom. “You’re too chirpy, I think you should hold back on that cup of coffee for now.” I laughed at her and poured another batch into my cup keeping it black just the way I liked it.
She came out the bathroom a little while later, showered and looking more human than ten minutes previous. “I was thinking about what you said, about Lewis knowing Connor was back and not telling you? It doesn’t sit right with me so I need to talk to him, just giving you a heads up before I do.”
Always looking out for me. “Thanks, Kee, but you really don’t have to do that,” I told her but the look on her face told me she did.
“Yes, I do, even if it’s for my own peace of mind, I need to know.” She was set on her idea so I didn’t reply while she went and got herself dressed. “I fancy lunch at the diner today, you’re coming right?” she said when she came back out, I froze.
“Erm, I was thinking of just eating lunch here today actually. There’s too many phone calls to make for everything to be ready in time for this weekend.” I tried to sound as casual as I could.
She swung around towards me and gave me one of her fierce looks. “Samantha Reynolds, if you think I’m going to let you hide away in this apartment, you’re sorely mistaken! What that guy did to you was beyond awful but I’m sorry, there’s no way I’m being cooped up in here with you and as my only friend in this hick town, you have an obligation to accompany me, okay?” She smirked when she got a laugh out of me.
“If you tried to make more friends, I wouldn’t be your only one.” She gave me a sarcastic look. “What? Just saying.”
“Oh yeah, because little miss popular is beating away the prospective friends lining up the street.” I rolled my eyes and ignored her comment, even though she was right.
“How about we compromise? You go pick up takeout from the diner while I ring around and pull in some favours, then when you get back, we can take a walk since it’s going to be nice out.” You could see the cogs turning in her head as she thought about what I had proposed, finally she waved me off and turned to get her purse.
“Sounds fair but I still think you need to get out and face things head on. I’ve never been one to skirt around issues but that’s just me.”
Sighing, I slipped on my sandals and picked up my purse to take downstairs with me. I couldn’t stop yawning as I turned on the lights and the radio as I opened up. It was looking to be a beautiful day just as the forecast suggested and I decided that I needed to put everything to the back of my mind for a few hours and just enjoy the small talk with clients that came in.
Clipping on my hairdressing belt and going into the back room to turn on the coffee machine we had back here, I heard the bell chime signalling someone had come in. I took a deep breath, put a smile on my face and went out to greet the first client of the day.
By lunchtime, I was already on my fourth cup of coffee and I was starting to feel jittery when Kee said, “Okay, what do you want from the diner? I’m going to go in on my way back from seeing Lewis. I really need to know if he knew.”
I wasn’t really that hungry so I just told her to get me a chicken Caesar salad, there was no point commenting on the other part of her sentence, she would do it anyway.
She left and I got back to the phone calls I was in the middle of making to try and track down those old wooden tables I wanted for the event. I’d deliberately been putting this off, they were used at the very same event around six years ago and were the exact ones I found my mom on.
Walking with bleary eyes through the apartment me and my mom just moved into to find my cell, I stubbed my toe on the side table. “Ouch!” It had been ringing constantly for the past ten minutes so this had better be good.
“Hello?” I said, slightly more aggressively than I intended to.
“Hi, Sammy, I’m really sorry to bother you so late but, well, your mom’s causing quite the scene down at the fundraiser and I… I wanted to call you instead of the police. You’ve both been through so-”
As Mrs Gracefield went on, I tuned out. Why was I still having to do this? She was a grown ass woman; she wasn’t the only one who was hurting. What gave her the right to act like this? When I was the one going out to work, keeping a roof over our heads, paying all the bills and barely holding it together.
How does she repay me? With embarrassing me every other night. By now I couldn’t count the times I’d had to go drag her out of the bar or pick her up from somewhere in a state.
“Sorry, Mrs Gracefield, I’ll come on down and get her.” Why she wasn’t banned from every bar within a fifty-mile radius of Little Hollow I didn’t know, or perhaps I did. Ever since the accident, people seemed to treat us differently, like we were super delicate. Which, in a way, we were but I hated all the sympathetic looks people gave us.
Slipping on my sneakers and jacket, I grabbed my car keys and walked out of the apartment into the cool night breeze.
I pulled up outside the community hall, dreading what awaited me inside. It couldn’t be worse than trying to wrestle her shirt back on her in the middle of a crowded bar like I’d had to the other week, or the time I had to pick her up from the Tucks’ Farm because she’d fallen asleep in their barn, naked. At least I hoped that it wouldn’t be as bad.
Getting out the car, I wished I could just disappear and start a new life someplace that nobody knew me. Somewhere I wouldn’t be given the sympathy vote. Would anybody even notice that I was gone?
Everybody knew me as Cindy Reynolds daughter, the drunk who couldn’t take care of her kids. I’d heard the rumors of what people said about her.
I shook my head and pulled on the door handle to enter into what I was sure to be a
nother humiliating affair.
Everyone looked to be having a good time, the band was playing ‘All summer long’, but nobody looked to be having as great of a time as my mom.
She was on top of one of the wooden tables, gyrating along to the tune with a bottle of bourbon in her hands. I took another look around and sure enough, she had an audience, in fact, so did I.
Just at that moment, I saw Mrs Gracefield finding her way over to me through the crowd.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t know what else to…” She trailed off as an obnoxious sound started coming from my mom’s mouth. She was trying to sing along with the band but sounded more like a strangled moose.
“That’s okay, I’ll take her home now.” But I knew it wasn’t going to be as easy as that.
Taking a deep breath, I walked over to the table she was on and raised my voice. “Mom. Mom. Cindy!” She stumbled around, still screeching the song out like a banshee until she locked her bloodshot eyes with mine.
“Would you look at what the cat dragged in, it’s my loving daughter coming to have a dance with her old mom. Oh no, wait, don’t tell me, you’re here to ruin the fun?” She couldn’t stop hiccupping and looking at her face, I realized she had no awareness of her surroundings at all. She took a long gulp from the bottle that she was holding and nearly fell off of the table, confirming my suspicions.
“Would you just get down before you hurt yourself please?” She was wearing my already non-existent patience down and that ‘please’ came out through gritted teeth.
I looked around me at the people who were still watching, they weren’t even trying to pretend they weren’t. How embarrassing. I looked back up at her, she was now facing the band who had started a slower song. I tried to reach for her as she swayed her hips in a clumsy rhythm but all that got me was a slap to the hand.
“Would you just leave already? You’re ruining the party!” Anger started welling in my chest.
“Would you just get down and do as I ask you for once in your life! The only person here ruining the party is you!” Swirling around again, she pointed the bottle at me.
One Moment (The Little Hollow Series Book 1) Page 7
