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But that’s where the similarities end.
Stone Bay is the definition of “affluent.” Smoky Creek… not so much.
We pass the Stone Bay Community Church, a Victorian Gothic cathedral with its gray and black stone walls and elaborate stained-glass windows. I’m nowhere near religious, but as we pass the church, I suddenly feel the need to pray.
The farther into town we drive, the more I feel this is a completely different world than the one I live in. I assumed the town’s name came from the stony cliffs surrounding the bay. But with each building and street sign we pass, it appears to get its name from the minerals and gemstones in the area.
And man, do they love to flaunt their wealth.
“Jesus.” The word slips from my lips as my eyes widen. “Is the entire town this garish?” I ask as the courthouse and town hall—one massive structure—come into view.
Beside me, Aaron laughs. “Not the entire town.” He glances my way, sees my mouth hanging open, and laughs harder as his eyes return to the road. “From what I gather, if the structure belongs to or is run by one of the founding families, or they have a special interest in the business, the building screams wealth.”
We stop at a red light and I stare at the two-story, white granite courthouse. The foundation sits higher than the street, a series of steps leading up to the entrance. Both floors are easily fifteen to twenty feet in height. Intricately carved stone pillars draw your attention to the entrance, while arched windows similar to the Gothic church give it life. On a ledge beneath the roof gable are seven men and women carved from stone, all of equal height, sitting tall on thrones with various relics in their hands. Above them on the roof is a nonbinary person in a robe, one arm up and holding scales, the other arm at their side with a sword in their grasp. At the heart of the roof is a clock tower with a belfry and spire, a large golden glass flame on top. The base of the structure is surrounded by granite walkways, ornamentally-shaped bushes, granite statues, a massive fountain, and neatly trimmed evergreens.
“Overwhelmed yet?” Aaron asks as we turn at the light and head north.
“Something like that,” I say as I take in more of the town.
The storefronts on this road are less gaudy and closer to what I see every day in Smoky Creek.
Two- and three-story buildings, most butted up to each other, but a sporadic few freestanding. A soft color palette brightens the stone or wood siding, while medium tones accentuate and give the building life. Scalloped awnings extend from each storefront, placards with the store name above them are painted to match the color palette. Vivid flowers bloom in tall pots on either side of store entrances. A-frame chalkboard signs sit on the sidewalk with daily specials or positive quotes listed. Dark gray lampposts line the sidewalk, a potted plant hangs on the store side, and a banner highlighting the town is posted on the street side. Midway between each lamppost are lush evergreens, a bench on one side, and a trash can and recycle bin on the other.
The farther we drive, the more at ease I am.
“This must be the ordinary part of town,” I say with a laugh. We pass Sloppy’s BBQ, Cheese Us Pizza, then Dalton’s Pub and Billiards. “Yep. Definitely more my vibe now.”
Aaron laughs as he turns right just before the post office, a stone structure similar in appearance to the courthouse. Then he turns left into the Stone Bay Library parking lot and I gasp at the sheer size of the building.
“Holy shit, man.”
Again, Aaron laughs. “Obviously, you didn’t look up pictures before taking the job.”
Look up pictures? Why the hell would I look up the town library? When John mentioned the job, he said,“We’re adding on to the existing structure. Adding a new wing to the current library.”In my head, I pictured us laying cinderblock and matching the exterior. Creating walls and a stairwell inside. I imagined it was similar to the Smoky Creek library—five thousand square feet of flat walls and thousands of books.
Now, I’m thinking we bit off more than we could chew.
“This looks older than the damn town,” I suggest.
Aaron parks the truck in the rear lot, the rest of the crew following suit. “Well, Ididlook up the library online.”
I roll my eyes. “You get the gold star,” I say, sarcasm thick in my tone.
He rests a hand over his heart and flashes me an artificial smile. “It was one of the first large, non-residential structures built in Stone Bay and wasn’t always the library. Originally, it was the hospital. The build took five years, with the doors first opening in 1914.”
“Another gold star.” I unbuckle my seat belt, open the door, and exit the truck, stretching my limbs.
“Goddamn,” Luke says, whistling as he and the others sidle up to me and Aaron. He stares at our job for the next forty-five to sixty days. “Did we land in medieval times or some shit?” He hooks an arm around Dylan’s shoulders and hauls her into his side. “Think we’ll find some old, kinky torture devices inside?”
Dylan ducks out of his hold and shoves him away. “Stop it already.” She lifts a hand, pinching her thumb and forefinger together. “I’m this close to junk punching you.”
Luke raises his hands in surrender and takes a step back. “No need for violence, oh spunky one.”
“Then quit being an ass.”
John joins us, a worn baseball cap on his head and storage clipboard in his hand. “Y’all done goofing off?” He looks pointedly at Luke.
“All good, boss man.”
