I whisper, not even sure if he can hear me, but I say it anyway, “This town isn’t shitty.”
I knowAaron is working hard to help my Aunt Trish. I know he gave up a lot to come move here with me for the time being. I know he can get frustrated. But it’s been becoming clearer just how much he hates it here. I’m sure my family can see it, but they haven’t said anything to me. My mom sends me small smiles, but I can tell she’s holding back her comments.
Ethan is a bit more outspoken, like Jerry Lee. Though, he isn’tasoutspoken as Jerry Lee. Aaron was not happy to hear the first “asshole Aaron” that came from the bird. I tried to explain it was a misunderstanding. A simple miscommunication between human, and bird, but he didn’t care to hear my explanation.
My nights at work have become somewhat of a reprieve and it’s not a great feeling. Because when I’m at home I’m looking forward to being surrounded by people complaining about stomach pains and exaggerating their pain level. Weallknow they’ve never experienced a “ten” pain in their life.
Looking forward to something so bleak is not what I had on my bingo card for my life. But here we are. I’m on the extra shift I took, even though I’m exhausted. I just wanted to get out of the house again.
Of course, tonight is on the slower end of things, so my mind isn’t as distracted as it usually is when I have a lot to do. Luckily, I’m the queen of distraction, and swing around on the rolling chair I’m in to face my coworker, Lexi.
“Do you ever think about how many random people’s pictures you’re in, and you’ll never know about?”
Lexi laughs. “I can’t say I’ve ever thought about that actually.”
“Really? I’ve thought about it a lot. Especially because in college my friends and I would have a competition to see how many we could end up in on our nights out.”
“Let me guess, you usually would win.”
“You’d think, but no actually, my roommate Anna was the crazy one and she would usually win.”
“I’m a little surprised to hear someone is crazier than you,” she teases.
“I’m not sure if I should be honored or offended. I’ll prove it to you. Let me tell you about the duck man she ducked becausethatwas crazy.”
“I don’t know if I want to know.” She shakes her head.
“Trust me. You do.”
CHAPTER 15
Lily
I calledan emergency girls meeting with Bailey and Sutton.
Jameson is on shift, so Sutton said we could come over to her house. I didn’t waste any time to rush over there before Aaron comes back from wherever he’s doing his work. I know from him and Trish that the plans have been submitted for some approval by the government, and apparently no one knows how long that will take. Half of the structure has to be completely demolished and built again. The other half that wasn’t as burned gets to keep the framing, but everything else has to be rebuilt.
Which led to Aaron being more annoyed about the uncertainty of the timeline of staying in Amity.
And then there’s me, unsure if I even want to leave again.
When I left for college, I was sure I’d never want to move back. I wanted a big city, busy populations, crazy people walking the streets, shops full of everything you need, and even more things you don’t that are easily at your disposal. Any and every food you can imagine close by.
I experienced that in San Francisco. That, and then some.
And being back has made me feel a million different ways, but lately it’s brought a sense of comfort I don’t know if I want to let go of. It’s also brought doubt, and that’s why I need the emergency girls meeting.
Sutton swings her front door open with a smile.
“I hope you’re ready for me to word vomit because it’s coming. Is Bailey here yet?” I ask, walking inside.
“Not yet, you kind of rushed over here. I told you that it was okay like five minutes ago.”
“Perks of a small town.” I flop onto her couch, but then regret it because the wine in my hand can’t be opened or poured from the couch.
Sutton must read my mind because she takes it from my hand and into the kitchen.
“You’re a saint,” I call after her.