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I open a can of cat food, set it on the floor, then grab myself some baked ziti leftovers. What was I even eating before? I pop it in the microwave and make my way over to the bedroom section of my loft. I kick my boots off and change into
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comfortable shorts. When my food finishes, I grab a fork and lounge back on my bed.
I can’t imagine, up and leaving my home to travel around the US. I wonder if she ever goes home, or if her family misses her?
Or if she misses them? It must be crazy not knowing what is coming next.
I don’t think I have that kind of spirit and drive. I need to remind myself why I love it here, learn to love it again, and feel like I belong. Showing Riley will help me. I can be truly happy.
I put my dish down and grab the notebook and pencil from my nightstand. I title the page “Adventures with Riley.” Then I begin my list. I will have to ask her about camping though, because she’s already doing that. So, I add:
-Float the river
-Fishing
-Line Dancing
-Hike to the waterfall
-Maybe camping at Yellowstone
I think that’s pretty good for now. I can add more after I talk to her and see if she has anything in mind.
I set the list down and make a mental note to call the rafting company tomorrow to make reservations for Wednesday.
WHEN YOU'RE READY
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Chapter Eleven
Grayson
AFTER I WAKE UP, the next afternoon, I am pumped. I can’t wait to visit Riley tomorrow and let her know what I have planned. I give the rafting company a call and book us for the first available time. The rafts seat six to eight, so we will have to share. Hopefully, that won’t be an issue.
Usually Mondays are my days to relax and recoup from the weekend, but my body is buzzing with energy, and I can’t stop walking in circles around my loft. Instead of sitting back down, I decide to go to the gym. I haven’t been there in a couple of months. It’s the one thing I will spend money on monthly, besides rent, utilities, and groceries. And even then, if I remember to visit my mom, I don’t need to buy much in the way of groceries.
I put on red basketball shorts, a black cut off t-shirt and my worn-out sneakers. The gym is only a few doors down from the bar and it’s run by one of the locals. She wasn’t born here; in fact, she came to Montana from a big city in Nevada, quit the difference. She also used to work at the courthouse, where she met and is friends with lots of people around town, but she chased her dream of owning her own gym. I think it’s worked out great for her, and I appreciate it being so close.
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Sharkbait walks out the apartment with me and heads the opposite direction.
“See ya tonight, buddy.”
I used to silently laugh whenever my mom would talk to our pets like they were humans.Such a silly thing. Now here I am, and my closest friend is a cat who I talk to everyday.
I swipe my gym card and enter. The front area is quiet, and it looks like the owner isn’t here. I sign in and go to the back where the cardio machines are. I run on the treadmill for fifteen minutes before I exert the rest of my energy doing barbell squats, seated leg presses, and walking lunges. I’ve never been accused of skipping leg day.
As I am leaving the gym, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see that my mom is calling me.
“Hey mom.”
