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Malia was talking excitedly to the man she was with, and they both seemed to know everyone in the diner. Except for me, of course. I considered introducing myself on the way out, but knowing I still had to tackle the grocery store stopped me. I didn’t want to go overboard on my first outing. It turned out I wouldn’t have time anyway. A waitress handed them a bag and they were out the door in just a few minutes. I made a note to look her up. Maybe I could ask Mark about her? I had an idea about a book, and she could be an asset since she and the protagonist both had a prosthetic leg. Maybe having a muse would finally get me out of my funk. I needed to be careful, though. I didn’t want to come off as insensitive.
“Do you need anything else? Dessert, maybe?” The waitress smiled.
“I’m not sure. I may want something for later. Would you mind bringing me the menu again?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be right back.”
She left and returned quickly with the menu, and I skimmed it, picking a grilled chicken plate with corn pudding and smashed potatoes… whatever that was. The description mentioned bacon, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong. The diner had emptied since I entered, which helped me feel more comfortable. If all my outings were like this, I might have found the perfect place for me. A short while later, she returned with my bag and ticket. I left money on the table, along with a generous tip, and slipped out of the booth.
The grocery store was on the other side of town, but in a town this small, there was little traffic, so it only took a few minutes to get there. I checked the list I’d created before I left the cabin. The number of vehicles in the parking lot almost caused me to turn around and try another day. At least I had dinner. I argued with myself in the cab of the truck, eventually deciding I was being silly. Without another thought, I pushed open the door and stepped out. With each step toward the store, I took a deep breath, reminding myself I had to eat.
Forty-five minutes later, I unloaded the cart into the truck, being careful not to spill anything in my rush. The whole ordeal had gone much better than I thought it would, but I’d had to stop and force myself to focus on my breathing every few aisles. Kids ran past me, grabbing food off the shelves before running back to their parents. Everyone knew everyone else, which created clusters of people gathering at the end of each row. When I’d finally checked out and walked into the lot, the rush of cool air on my face felt amazing. I turned the truck toward the cabin, having completed my to-do list. It was a good thing too—I’d done enough mingling for one day.
At home, I carried the bags in, putting everything away. The outing had taken a lot out of me, and I was exhausted. I eyed the hammock in the backyard. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d lain on one, relaxing without a care in the world. Looking around the living room, I picked a book from the stack I was reading and a bottle of water before stepping out the back steps.
Chipmunks ran around, gathering nuts before running off again. The quiet of the property was such a strong contrast to the noises of the city I was used to. The first few nights, I’d struggled to sleep without the familiar nightlife of home. Now, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to go back. I could get used to this laid-back style of life. Stretching out of the hammock, I read until my eyes felt heavy. Setting the book aside, I wondered about the intelligence of sleeping in a hammock but couldn’t convince myself to move inside. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep.
I felt like I was falling, and I jerked myself awake. It took a minute to remember where I was. I wiped my eyes, yawning and stretching. Thankfully, I’d managed to stay fairly still, so I didn’t tip over in the middle of my nap. I’d slept much longer than I anticipated, though, as I noticed the sun setting through the trees. I swung my legs to the side of the hammock and gently sat up. Fully awake now, I thought that might have been the best sleep I’d had since arriving. I chuckled, wondering if it was the hammock or the town outing that did the trick.
As the sun dipped down even lower, I picked up my book and water and walked inside. I’d left the light on above the sink, so the cabin was lit in a gentle glow. I glanced toward my laptop and felt a tug in my heart. Maybe tomorrow would be the day.
