Page 35 of Statler

He’d been more curious this time regarding exactly what people here did for fun, and she’d decided to name the few pastimes that were sporadically available.

Mini-golf behind the Liminal Convenient. Cornhole at the outdated rec room that someone, many years before her father’s time, had erected to the rear of the factory. The small shooting range. And one certainly couldn’t forget the major event of the year; the spring fishing derby that actually brought a few tourists to town.

Yeah. Eliza hadn’t been much for any of those before Holden. But once they’d become a couple, he’d insisted she join in with all the “fun”.

And because he’d made it seem so entertaining, Eliza had actually ended up participating whole-heartedly, and had become proficient at every single one of those activities.

She’d especially loved to fish with Holden.

The memory was bittersweet.

When Statler had pressed her further about where the townsfolk went for a bit of local gossip, Eliza had readily and laughingly told him that standing at the town pumps, he could be expected to hear the latest scoop on most everything going on in their small burg, and that the information would be bandied about without filters.

Even Eliza was privy to things she normally wouldn’t be, because at the pumps, it was anything goes, despite the general population normally being cautious around her.

When Statler had eventually pressed for a good spot to lift a few with his friends, she’d confidently ended up naming several bars in the surrounding towns.

Holden had brought her to those.

Not that she was a big drinker. And she certainly never liked the stale smell of those watering holes. But again, Holden had always known how to make something out of nothing, and darts had eventually been added to her repertoire of things she thought she’d never ace.

Statler had seemed interested in every place Eliza mentioned.

But perhaps she was reading too much into it.

Because of her stupid heart.

Why had that organ—for the second time in her life—chosen a man who was so far out of her league?

When Holden had returned to town, no longer the starry-eyed young man he’d been when he’d left, the golden boy was gone, replaced by a worldly, golden man. But this time, instead of the pretty, popular girls turning his head, he’d chosen Eliza.

He’d said he liked her spirit, her creativity, her positive outlook on life.

Yes. He’d made her feel like one of the pretty girls.

But look how that had gone. A few years in, and she’d lost him, even before his death; clearly unable to keep him interested enough for their relationship to flourish.

In the end, he’d seemed so…unhappy, and Eliza couldn’t help but blame herself for his despondency. Clearly, she hadn’t been enough for him.

But maybe despondency wasn’t exactly the word for what had ailed Holden. Perhaps discontented and distracted were better adjectives to describe the way he’d eventually disassociated. But no matter what you called it, her husband’s change in attitude had made her feel completely inadequate. And that was something she never wanted to repeat.

Especially with Statler.

She’d liked the look on his face that first day when they’d met in person. And she really liked the lilt and warmth in his voice when they chatted for…

Wow. It still blew her mind. Each of the calls they’d enjoyed had lasted almost an hour.

And she wasn’t about to blow that.

Eliza was determined, no matter how instantly she’d been cupid-hit with an arrow carrying Statler’s name, that she would keep her distance emotionally, in order to retain that small piece of Statler she’d been receiving.

She would continue to enjoy their conversations. She’d see him occasionally and practice her best smile. But she’d try not to wear her attraction to him in her eyes.

When all was said and done, she’d have to wave goodbye to him and his crew. Knowing that by keeping him at arm’s length, she’d save him from whatever had changed and afflicted Holden, would carry her through.

But right now…

Today was Saturday. Her favorite day of the week.