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Once I’ve doctored my coffee so it tastes more like sugar and creamer than actual roasted beans, I curl up on the couch and retrieve my paperwork from my satchel. The place is eerily silent, which doesn’t surprise me. Great Falls isn’t a tourist town. Unless it’s the start of the school year or graduation, I can’t imagine either of the two B&B’s are ever fully booked.
Which makes this the perfect place to focus on work and avoid thinking about why I’m really here. An attempt to keep the memories at bay, at least for the night. Tomorrow is a different story. According to my itinerary, Spencer and I have a meeting with the dean at Great Falls University. I have no idea what it’s about, but I know it has something to do with Sam and that’s enough to make me uneasy.
The university is hosting a memorial brunch Friday afternoon and a lantern release on Friday night. As much as I would love to skip both of those events, I have a feeling Spence would hunt me down if I didn’t show up. Not to mention, Friday will be easy compared to what the town has planned for Saturday.
The actual anniversary of Sam’s death.
It starts with the first annual Samantha Bridges 5k marathon. It’s been years since I’ve run outside, let alone more than a mile or two. The marathon isn’t what scares me, though. It’s what happens after everyone is done running.
The fountain dedication.
In the park.
Where Sam was killed.
On the anniversary of her death.
A permanent reminder of the tragedy. In the very place it happened.
I haven’t been back to the park since that night. I avoided it at all costs the last few months I lived here and now I’m expected to what? Just walk in the park like it’s no big deal? Like what happened that night didn’t alter me in a way I still haven’t recovered from?
One step at a time.
My new personal mantra, because if I look too far ahead, I’m going to shatter without warning. No amount of glue will be able to piece me back together this time.
