“What, like a craft club, do a bit of bitching and stitching?” Raven hadn’t even considered a craft—it wasn’t what she did. Sure, she could draw, paint a little. After all, she was a graphic designer, but most of her work was done on the computer. Could she try something new?
Anne laughed, leaning back in her chair. “Or the football club if that’s what you want.”
“I’ll stick with the craft.”
“See, not that hard.”
“Hmmm, I’m not so sure about that.”
“Hey, you’ve come out here for Ben, and you’re the one having to make all the changes, but he’ll see it.” A shadow crossed Anne’s face. “Unless you don’t think it’s worth it.”
The thought of it not being worth it felt suffocating to Raven. She looked away from her to hide her face and the tears threatening to spill. Anne’s words were harsh. They hit the nerve and brought all the thoughts she didn’t want in her mind to the surface for consideration.
“Anne, does your boss know you’re out here?” asked a middle-aged woman as she approached the two women. Raven knew the lady was Anne’s boss, and she’d just been busted for not working.
“Gene, don’t you go sacking me, now.” Anne quickly got up. “I better get back to polishing the silverware.” She smiled at Raven, paused, leaned closer, lowing her voice. “You’ll work it out.”
“Anne, I’m not paying you to be this social,” grumbled Gene as she pushed the front door of Bean and stepped inside.
“Coming.” She rushed back inside, leaving Raven sitting alone.
Raven wiped the corner of her eyes and turned her computer off. Three months in, and she wasn’t about to go back to Adelaide and say this hadn’t worked out, but it was getting more and more tempting to do so. There were two loud questions in her head, which she had no clue of the answers.
Is Ben worth it? Are we worth it?
Raven slammed shut her laptop. Anne was right. A break would be a good idea. She figured the mini-holiday would only be over Christmas and New Years, then she could get back into premade logo designs and do some word-of-mouth advertising on social media to help get her business off the ground.
It was time she faced whatever it was that was scaring her by allowing herself to take a break. She figured the fear was due to two reasons. First, if her business failed, then she’d have no income here, and the thought of what she’d do then was daunting. Second, she didn’t want to confront the loneliness she felt away from her friends and family. With the approach of Christmas, she didn’t want to face either, but she knew with a twist in her belly that it was time to. Then, there was the real root of her fear. If she had more time to think, she’d drive herself crazy wondering if Ben was ever going to find time for her anytime soon. It worried her that she might crack, throw in the towel, head back to Adelaide, and end up having Christmas all alone this year.
She sipped her coffee while looking down the main street. Cars drove along, some of the drivers waved at her even though she didn’t know who they were. Most people seemed to know her—Ben’s girlfriend. The times she’d been in Keith having coffee, everyone had been friendly to her as if welcoming her into the community. Coming from the city, she wasn’t used to such behavior. There was a lot out here that she wasn’t used to. Raven realized she hadn’t actually gotten out enough to meet the locals and get to know anyone. Sure, there’d been the handful of occasions when Ben had taken her out on a date to the local pub for a meal, so she’d met a few people then. It had been such a blur, and she’d not considered a pub meal a date, especially when they were interrupted by people the entire time. All she’d focused on was her business and time with Ben.
What sort of club could I join out here?
She wasn’t sure that’s what she wanted to do, but she did recognize it was another very good suggestion from Anne. Raven wanted to be here for the long term. She wasn’t aiming for a short time with Ben—not since they admitted the strong attraction they had for each other, and their fling had developed into a relationship.
Maybe there’s an art group? Or drawing or something?
Then she had the crazy idea that if there weren’t one, maybe she could start one.
But who would come? I don’t know anyone.
Her thoughts were racing, and she forced herself to take a slow, deep breath. First, she needed to find out if there were an art group in town, or what other groups were around that might appeal to her.
She finished her coffee and glanced at her cell to check the time. It was nearly one o’clock. It was also getting a lot warmer outside, even for her. She thought she heard something about a fire ban starting today on the radio that was filtering out from the café. A vague recollection that it could mean Ben might have to come in from the paddocks caused her to want to at least be on the farm if that were the case. But, considering how rude she’d been this morning to Janette, she didn’t want to go back to the farm yet. There was no reason to stay here in town. She put her laptop in its carry bag and slung it over her shoulder. As she turned to leave, she noticed a collection of notices stuck to Bean café’s glass window. She leaned in and read them.
Raven smiled. There were a few groups advertising meet times for the new year. There were possibilities. She mentally crossed off going along to darts on Tuesday evenings at the pub, though she might give it a go if she got really bored being on the farm. A craft group, Busy Bees, caught her interest. They did a different craft idea each month, and that appealed to her creative mind. It would be good to learn new techniques as well as meeting people. She just hoped there were going to be a few people her age who attended.
Raven took a photo of the printed A4 sign of the upcoming meeting times and activities for the first three months of next year. She also noted that there were a couple of dates with TBA—to be advised—next to them.
Perhaps I could do a painting class or two. The idea sat well in her belly. Raven began to feel her usual confident mojo return. All she needed to do was to turn up with an open mind, and she could do that.
Feeling more relaxed, she decided to go back to the farm. She’d rather try to smooth things over with Janette sooner than later.If I can.
Raven wasn’t sure about offering to cook a meal or two to help Janette, but she figured it might be a sort of olive branch approach she could do that might work.
What would I cook?
That was if Janette actually would let Raven cook in her kitchen.
