She cracks first and dives the rest of the distance between us, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing tight. I let my shields down for a brief moment, reveling in just how much I needed this hug and then pull back to stare at my childhood best friend.
“God, Mags, it’s so damn good to see you!” I gush as she grins and shakes her head.
“Look at you, girl! All grown and classy as hell. What are you doing here? Why didn’t you let me know you were coming back?”
My words choke up as I try and tell her, “D-daddy…he died, Maggie. I drove straight here when I got the call and got in late last night.”
Her face crumples. “Oh, Rainy, I’m so sorry! I hadn’t heard that. Are you okay? What can I do?”
I drag her over to the bench and we sit sideways to face each other.
“I think I’m still in shock. I need to head over to the funeral home soon and get things sorted.”
I lift my hand to rub between my eyes, overwhelmed by all that comes next and Maggy lets out a choked sound and snatches my hand to pull it up to her eyes. Hazel eyes that are huge and round in shock.
“What the actual fuck? You’re engaged? Rain, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you!” She gushes making my stomach sour even as she leans in for another hug. “Is he here? Did he come with you? I’d love to meet him!”
I pull back with a tight smile and shake my head. “No, he…he couldn’t make it.” I hate lying to my oldest friend but I don’t want to go into all the trashy details about Jason or why I’m still wearing this stupid ring so I forge ahead with, “What’s happening with you? It’s been so long since we talked.”
I catch the flash of hurt that passes through her eyes before she rolls her lips in and she wrinkles up her freckled nose.
“Wellll, you’re not the only one who’s engaged,” she says as she whips her hand up so I can see the ring gleaming on her finger. A real smile pops over my face as I clutch her hand in mine.
“Oh! Oh, Mags…I’m so happy for you! Do I know him? Is he a local?”
She tucks her head down and slowly nods. “You’re not going to believe this but…it’s Hetter, Danny Hetter.”
My mouth drops open in surprise before a grin spreads. “Hetter? As in the biggest goofball prankster this town has ever seen, Hetter?”
Her eyes are gleaming with laughter when they meet mine. “Yup, I know, I know, it shouldn’t work but, Rainy, it really, really does. That idiot totally stole my heart. I love him so much, as crazy as that sounds.”
I squeeze her hand shaking my head. “No! It doesn’t sound crazy at all. We get to love who we love. God, it’s so good to see you, Mags. I’m sorry I didn’t stay in touch.”
She shrugs one shoulder with a sad little smile. “Don’t, babe. It’s not like I chased you down either. We’re good.”
I lift my coffee to drink down the last of it and make a sour face causing her to laugh.
“Ugh, is that from Dolly’s? I don’t know how you can even stomach that! It’s not much better but try the Stop and Go for coffee if you need more or come over to my place. I have a high-end espresso machine.”
When I raise a brow in surprise, she grins. “Hey, I might have chosen to stay here in Hicksville but that doesn’t mean I don’t want some of the finer things in life and good coffee is essential.” She glances down at the watch on her wrist with a frown. “I got get back to work. Are you staying at your dad’s place? Where can I find you?”
I stand with her and toss the empty takeout cup in a nearby trash can. “No, I’m at the Imperial Motel here in town. I’m not quite ready to go into his house right yet.”
Maggie makes another expression of distaste. “That place is older than God. Why don’t you come stay with Hetter and me? We have a pull-out couch.”
I lean in and hug her before stepping back, shaking my head. “Thank you, but I’m okay there for a few days.” We share our phone numbers and make tentative plans to meet up later before she runs back across the park. I slide my hands down my skirt to smooth it but it’s really just a nervous tick as I gear myself up for what comes next. With one last deep breath, I slide my sunglasses on and start walking in the direction of the only funeral parlor in town.
Rain
Iease onto the cracked leather of one of the booths in the back of The Broken Spur, the town’s only bar, and slump in exhaustion. It’s a new addition to Main Street, anchoring a line of empty buildings and it’s almost the last place I want to be right now but I couldn’t take one more second in that claustrophobic room with its smell of stale smoke and decades-old burnt orange décor. The dinner options in this town with Dolly’s closing after lunch were a Stop and Go gas station hot dog, buying something from the small grocery, or here. I pick up the laminated menu and breath a sigh of relief when I spot a few lighter fares listed that are not cooked in a deep fryer. My appetite has been next to nonexistent since I got the call about my dad but I know I have to eat to keep my strength up for what the next few days will bring.
A hesitant, timid voice breaks me out of my thoughts and I look up to see the waitress standing by my table.
“Hi, can I get you something?”
I’m completely shocked to see someone so beautiful standing there. She’s a tiny thing with the palest green eyes I have ever seen and long blond hair that flows to her waist and it is so light it almost looks silver. She could easily play a fairy elf princess in a movie.
I smile as I hand her the menu.
