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The town has been decorated for the holiday season since before Thanksgiving; the pops of green, red, and white are beautiful. The best thing about the holidays here is that people genuinely enjoy the season and see it as a time to spend real time with their families.
When I had to celebrate Christmas in the city, I didn’t feel the family focus. Maybe I didn’t want to see it, but it felt so much more materialistic. It really affected my love for the season.
Lana has a pretty holiday display in the front window of her shop featuring holiday themed books and a decorated tree. It looks like a cozy scene where you could crawl inside with a cup of cocoa to wait for Santa to show up. When I walk into the Sit & Sip, the scent of peppermint and fir hits me and gives me a feeling of warmth in the middle of my chest.
Aurora, who has been working for Lana for years, has a huge smile on her face when she sees me. “Hi, Aster,” she chirps, “did you just finish up with the little ones?”
Okay, so maybe I’m a creature of habit and I frequently need a caffeine pick-me-up in the middle of the day. I figure it’s part of boosting the economy of my small town. Right?
Aurora is a beautiful young woman. She isn’t much older than 18 and her cheery, carefree attitude is kind of infectious. I’ve never heard any rumors about her dating, and, trust me, if there were rumors to be had then they would be all over the place.
In high school it was something that bothered me about the town, but I’ve learned to appreciate it. Sometimes the gossip can be catty and meanspirited, but I’ve found it comes from concern or people being genuinely happy for someone else most of the time.
“I did,” I can’t help but smile at Aurora. “They were so cute in their outfits.”
“I bet,” she grins at me. “I can just imagine them twirling around in their little tutus and shoes.” She leans over the counter slightly and lowers her voice as if she’s telling me a secret, “Sometimes their parents will bring them in after so they can grab a drink or a little treat and they are precious. I also only hear the best things about your studio.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes. Not because that isn’t gratifying to hear, but because it is. So much.
I fought with myself for a long time about how long was too long to continue to chase a dream that was killing me slowly. I allowed a lot to happen and took on a lot of people pushing my boundaries, sometimes even obliterating them, in the name of my succeeding at being a dancer. Still, that doesn’t mean deciding to pack it up and come back home was easy to do.
I struggled with it. Setting my focus on opening my studio and teaching dance helped, but it’s hard to know if you’re doing the right thing when you’re in the middle of it all.
“Thank you,” I whisper, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. I clear my throat and shake off the emotional heaviness. “Can I get a chai tea latte, please?”
“Coming right up,” Aurora practically clicks her heels together and turns toward the fancy machines behind the counter.
I look around Lana’s store and smile. She renovated the space to help promote the bookstore side of things and it seems to have worked for her. There is a weekly book club that meets here. Actually, there are two. One is for men, and one is geared more toward women, but both focus on romance books.
“Hi Aster,” I almost jump out of my skin as I whirl around and press my hand to my chest where my heart is racing.
“Ida,” I gasp. “Oh my gosh, you scared me,” there’s an admonishment in my tone which has her giving me a sheepish smile.
Ida is the honorary grandma of Sweetwater Valley, and she is a busybody who doesn’t seem the least bit put off by people thinking that about her. I’ve seen her stick her nose in people’s business more times than I can count, but it’s always done with love.
“It’s so good to see you, Aster,” she breezes right past her scaring a few years off my life like it’s nothing. “I was going to come by your studio to see you, but now I don’t have to because I caught you here.”
The way she says she’s caught me has my hackles rising and my eyes narrowing. She certainly did catch me, but the twinkle in her eyes is telling. She has something up her sleeve.
“It’s always nice to see you,” I hedge carefully.
“And you, my dear,” she drawls while patting my arm affectionately. Almost like she’s buttering me up for something. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but the annual toy drive is short a few volunteers. Volunteering is so important to the community,” she implores me.
I soften at the mention of the toy drive. It’s kind of difficult not to, even though I have a feeling Ida can smell the blood in the water at my reaction to her.
“Of course, volunteering is important,” I try to sound diplomatic.
“It is,” she nods, her face solemn before she brightens and claps. “I knew we could count on you, Aster. You love the kids you teach so much, and I have no doubt you have a whole well of holiday compassion for those who are less fortunate. They’ll need you at the community center tomorrow night.”
I blink at her a few times, trying to understand what the hell is going on. Did she just volunteer for me? Did I agree to this?
I run the conversation over in my head, but I don’t think I agreed to anything.
She pats my arm again and smiles at me. “I just love it when you young people are ready to jump in with both feet and help.”
Before I can say a word, she’s hustling away from me and right out the front door. Young people? I mean, sure, compared to her, but I’m 32.
I turn toward Aurora who has my drink ready, my voice kind of dazed, “What just happened?”
