18
TJ
TJ rolled over in bed, shielding his eyes from the bright sun streaming through the window. He wasn’t waking up in the cabin that had so quickly felt like a home; he was back in his old room at Brewer’s Motel. Memories of yesterday’s events came flooding back like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from. Grabbing his phone off the nightstand with hands slick from sweat, he checked his notifications, and his stomach sank. Still no calls, no messages, no texts. No Morgan.Well, shit. Guess he wasn’t worth enough for her to stand up to her father.
He hadn’t taken much out of his truck last night, just his toiletries and a change of clothes, so he didn’t have a lot to pack up. His heart still heavy, he showered and dressed, then threw his bag in the truck. His final act before hitting the road to an as yet unknown destination was to say goodbye to Nana. He owed her that courtesy for all she’d done, and truth be told, he would miss her.
As he approached the office, he noted that even though it was early, the lights were on and he could see her inside. At the sound of the bell above the door, she turned toward the entrance and greeted him.
“Morning, TJ. You sleep okay?”
He ran his hand through his hair, knowing he’d be dodging the truth about his restless night. “Yeah, Nana. I’m gonna head out now, so I wanted to say goodbye. I haven’t heard from Morgan, so nothin’s changed from yesterday.”
She came from around the counter to embrace him. If he were in a better mood, he’d tease her about how far she’d need to extend her arms to reach around his neck as he towered over her. She settled her hands on his biceps and tilted her face up to look him in the eyes.
“Child, I told you last night you need to give this some time. What’s one more day?”
He attempted to soften his words so he wouldn’t sound rude, despite his pessimistic outlook. “One more day without pay is one less than I can spare. I need to find a job ASAP. I don’t have a back-up plan.”
He didn’t see any point in prolonging his departure, so he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Thank you for everything. Maybe I’ll see you again.”
“I’d like nothing more, hun. You take care of yourself. And please let me know how you’re doing.”
He didn’t want to make a promise to her he couldn’t keep, so he simply nodded his head before turning to leave. The sound of the office door shutting behind him felt like the slam of a gate locking him out of the new life he’d been so close to achieving. He started his truck and backed out of the parking space as his stomach rumbled in hunger, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten anything the night before. Since he hadn’t yet planned out his next move, or mapped out a route for the journey ahead, he pointed his truck in the direction of The Blackened Skillet. He would think better on a full stomach, and besides, he’d hit pay dirt once before by checking the community bulletin board there. That place was information central, so maybe he’d find something temporary to tide him over and allow him to save up some money before hitting the road again. If he did decide to stick around for a while longer, he’d have to figure out how to avoid the prettiest redhead in town. He’d worry about that later. After coffee.
He arrived at the diner in the midst of the early morning breakfast rush. Glancing around, he saw that the only empty seats were at the counter, so he chose one on the end, away from the other patrons.
Tammy came bustling over to greet him. “TJ! What brings you in on a weekday morning? Shouldn’t you be at work? How’s everything over at Sullivan’s?”
He turned the mug in front of him over, signaling his desire for coffee. He really didn’t want to get into a conversation with her regarding his situation, so he simply said, “I’ve decided this isn’t the place for me. I’m gonna be movin’ on from Green Springs.”
19
MORGAN
Last night had been the longest night of Morgan’s life. Had she slept at all? Maybe a few cat naps off and on. And despite her best effort at shutting off the noise in her head, the moment when her dad had climbed up into the hayloft and found her and TJ together play on an endless loop all night long.
She couldn’t take it any longer. She had to talk some sense into her father, and quickly. Then she would go after TJ, with or without his blessing. She had to get to him before he left town. She had desperately wanted to go to him last night, but had held back in order to talk to her father first. After speaking with Angela, she empathized with her dad, but he needed to understand how she felt as well. Depending on how their conversation went, she would either be conveying to TJ he still had a job, or they would be striking out on their own. Together. She could cut hair anywhere, and would be happy as long as she was with him. She dressed quickly, and was just about to go to the kitchen in search of Sean, when her cell rang.Nana!Maybe she had news about TJ.
In her urgency, she stabbed the answer button with more force than necessary, and quickly placed the phone up to her ear. “Hey, Nana.”
“Morning, child. TJ just left here. I tried to get him to stay one more day, but he’s itching to run. I’m pretty sure he’s stopping at the diner for breakfast first. If you want to catch him, you better get over there now.”
She didn’t even bother saying goodbye or ending the call. Her heart was beating out of her chest as she threw her door open so hard, it practically separated from the frame. Running out into the hall, she called out, “Dad! Dad! Where are you? We’re out of time!” She didn’t hear any sounds coming from the kitchen, so she ran back to his bedroom and banged on the door.
Sean jerked the door open, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “What! What’s so urgent?”
“I’ll tell you what! You need to decide right now. Keep TJ or lose me!”
“Seriously, Morgan? I thought we were gonna have a rational conversation today. I didn’t expect you to wake me up first thing in the mornin’ with an ultimatum.”
She paused to catch her breath. “Nana just called. TJ’s about to leave town! I’ve gotta stop him. Either to tell him he has his job back or that I’m leaving with him. Your choice, but you need to decide now.”
When Sean didn’t respond right away, she switched tactics, pleading, rather than demanding. “I love him, Dad. I’m not going to give him up because you don’t want me dating the help. If you think he’s not good enough for me, you’re wrong. Please…”
“Is that what you think? It’s never been about that. I just don’t want you hurt. What if he decides Green Springs isn’t for him? From what I know, he’s a drifter. He doesn’t stay in one place too long. Maybe he has aspirations of bigger and better things than Green Springs.”
Spots danced before her eyes, as a sudden and overwhelming sense of dread came over her. She rubbed her forehead to fend off the impending headache. His hesitation was costing them precious time. Time they did not have. “Dad, not everyone is likeher. Angela isn’t. Don’t you think it’s possible TJ isn’t like her too? That he sincerely cares about me?”
