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She turned to look at me.
“No, I want to,” she said.
“Oh.”
Silence fell between us again.
I washed down the cookie with another swallow of coffee.
“It’s hard to make friends when you move to a new place,” she said.
“Yeah, I know. I was lucky when I came here because I already had my cousin, and her friends just adopted me into their group.”
“That is nice,” she said.
“Is it just you and your parents up here now?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Yes, my siblings are scattered all over the country, and I was the only one with the means and the education to come and help them, so here I am.” She gestured to the inn.
“Were you, um, leaving anything behind?” Or anyone?
She shrugged.
“Not really. I’d kind of gotten burned out on the city. I’d definitely gotten burned out on paying too much money for not enough apartment.”
“Ugh, tell me about it. I’m saving so much money now, it’s ridiculous. Do you live in the inn?”
She nodded. “Just for now. It’s just easier to be here in case of emergencies. My parents live down the road.” She pointed at the tiny dirt road next to the inn. I’d always wondered what was back there.
“That’s really cool that you were willing to sacrifice and come here for them,” I said.
She shrugged again.
“I’m the only one who could do it.”
I wanted to ask her more about her family, but the front desk attendant came out with a panicked look on her face and whispered in Alivia’s ear.
Alivia nodded and stood up.
“Sorry to cut this short, but duty calls. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like,” she said.
I wasn’t sure what to say.
“I’m just going to take this with me,” Alivia said, grabbing the treat box. “Thank you for bringing them.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, and then she was heading back inside.
I thought she might come back, so I stayed and finished my coffee on the porch. What a beautiful piece of Castleton this was. It was like stepping into a painting.
I had to shake myself out of my reverie and get myself back to work.
I took the coffee cup back inside and went to the front desk because I didn’t know where else to take it.
“Oh, I’ll handle that,” the attendant said, taking my cup and putting it on a tray behind her.
“Thanks,” I said.
