Page 7 of Holding Ground

He’s got me there. Growing up in small-town Alaska was a wonderful experience, but the circles run small. By the end of high school, everyone had dated practically all available prospects. And when you come from a family as big as the Greenes, it means you’re related to a good portion of your classmates, further shrinking the pool.

“Well, you know, I have been trying to get you to join me in the lower forty-eight for some time now…”

He laughs with the sarcastic flare that says not a chance. “It still takes an effort to wrap my head around the fact that you didn’t return home after college.”

“Trey, don’t start.” I get enough from my parents.

My cousin, and most of my family, if I’m honest, don’t understand why I didn’t hop on a plane back to Alaska as soon as I graduated from college in Arizona. My reasons are ones they may never understand since I grew up in a loving family with a great upbringing. I glance in the rearview mirror, but then look forward, pulling off the highway.

“I’m just saying.”

“Well, don’t. Anyway, how is everyone?”

“You know how it is. Nothing ever changes, and even if it does, it’s not by much.”

That’s part of what makes small-town life so sweet and so sour, depending on the kind of person you are. It’s the reason Trey is still there, and I am not.

“At the next stop sign, take a right.”

“Sorry, my GPS is giving me directions.” I slow at the approaching stop sign and put on my blinker.

“Where are you headed?”

“I’m on a new project for work. You’ll be happy to know it’s a small town.”

Trey laughs. “Did you get demoted?”

“No,” I say with the same attitude from when we were thirteen.

“I’m just saying what happened to your big city Boston projects?”

“For your information, I think this project is a good sign. It’s the first development of this kind the firm is looking at doing. They haven’t expanded to smaller locales like this one, and the fact that they’re trusting me with it says how awesome I am.”

“Ah, I was just kidding, Em. I know you’ll kill it.”

“Sorry, I know you didn’t mean anything by it.” I don’t know why I feel so on edge right now. “I am excited for it, though. I pitched myself for the job to my boss. After he heard about where I grew up, how Sunrise Bay was struggling for a bit when I was a teen, and how the local development committee turned it around, he said it was mine for the taking. I think he could tell I was passionate about the purpose of this one.”

Prior to this, I’ve been working my way through lower-level jobs like a code enforcement officer and a planning department clerk. I never stayed anywhere for too long, bouncing from job to job, state to state. Nothing ever felt right. This position is finally a chance at my dream job, and failing isn’t an option. The firm is well known and one of the leading developers in the Northeast. My job at this firm will forever impact my job possibilities down the road. I’m determined to make this job go the distance.

I’m used to having some nerves whenever I start a new project—there’s no telling how easy or difficult it’ll be until I’m already in it—but this feels like something…more. I just can’t put my finger on it.

My GPS interrupts us again. “Turn left at the next stop sign.”

I glance at the screen and see that I’m only about five minutes out. “I’m almost there, Trey. Is it okay if I give you a call in the next few days once I get settled?”

“Sure thing. You know I’ll be here.”

“All right. Say hi to everyone for me.”

“Hey, Em, you packed your calamine lotion, right?” He pauses dramatically, and I wait for his punchline. “You know, for the hives.”

“Ha ha.”

He chuckles, and hearing his voice and laughter only makes me miss him more. “Later, Em.”

He hangs up, and Sabrina Carpenter’s voice rings through the vehicle as my playlist starts up again. I turn down the music, wanting to concentrate on where I’m going.

Beauty washes over me as I pass by the Welcome to Echo Lake sign. The vast green forest on either side of the road reminds me of home, as does the scent of fresh air and earth when I crack my window. I enjoy living in Boston, but that scent alone carries me back to my childhood.