“Not this year.”
She’s quiet for a moment, probably overanalyzing why I don’t want to go home to see my family. Her letters had revealed that her family meant a lot to her, so I was sure it was disappointing for her to hear this stranger doesn’t want to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his parents. The fact that she was on tour and still made a point to fly home tells me that she prioritizes family even in adulthood.
And it isn’t that Idon’t wantto see my parents, but that I was determined to get settled here first and make a new home and friendships. Being an only child, all of the attention had consistently been on me my entire life and holidays weren’t a huge affair. Not to mention Dove's letter from a few days ago changed my interest in leaving. From the second I’d read that letter and taken the first shot of whiskey with Wylie, I knew I’d eventually be hunting her down to finally meet her, new boyfriend included if she decided to bring him with her.
I decide to change the subject before she gets a chance to ask where my family is located.
“Ok, I think it’s my turn for a question. What areyoudoing at the government offices the day before Thanksgiving?”
“I’m here to pay a past-due tax bill that’s been haunting me, even though I haven’t lived in town for over a year.”
“Where do you live now?” my interest is piqued. Stevie said she was on tour, but she never mentioned her home base.
“Los Angeles.”
What the hell? She moved to my hometown.
My heart tightens as I realize the irony in this situation. Ofcourse, she’d live in Los Angeles—that’s where every rock star seemed to end up and where all of the producers and recording studios were located. This twist of fate that had me moving to her hometown just as she was moving to mine feels like a cruel joke from the universe. It’s as if we’ve always been two ships passing each other in the night, unaware of how close we’ve come to crossing paths.
I wondered if there’ve been any other times where we’ve been in the same city and not known it. I wonder if she thought of me when she first moved there.
“Do you like living there?”
She’s silent, and then blows out a steady breath of air. “It’s loud.”
I bark out a laugh, causing her hand to drop from my chest. I remember her saying that the silence was what she'd appreciated most about growing up in Lonestar Junction. There was certainly no peace or solace in Los Angeles.
"Jeez, do you always laugh that loudly? You scared the shit out of me."
I chuckle, "Sorry."
I wish she’d place her hand back on me, but she doesn’t as she continues.
“Everyone in LA is busy. I try to make plans with people during my downtime to hang out, but all they want to do is go to photo worthy spots for their social media posts. You don't know who you can trust, who actually wants to be your friend because they enjoy your presence or if they just want access to what you can give them. I’ve become mostly numb to all of that now. I guess you have to be when you work in the entertainment industry. That’s why I like visiting here, people treat me like I’m normal. I was reading an article about myself when I walked into the elevator. An article that was full of lies from a journalist who I'd thought liked me. That's why I was distracted and didn't notice you were in here.”
I hum softly in understanding. I know all too well the toll of selfishness in the industry. As a child, I’d watched my mom endure infidelity by my dad that’d almost destroyed her career. After she left him, he tried to ruin her reputation in the industry out of spite and ego. Despite being the one to cheat on her, he didn’t want to let her go. Thankfully, my stepdad stepped in to offer her the support and stability she needed, helping her get back into acting and secure her career and our safety.
“What did the article say?”
She’s quiet, “Basically that I hate all men.”
I snort.
She smacks my chest lightly, “It’s obviously not true, and I never said that during the interview either. He completely exploited and twisted the words I used.”
“I believe you. That’s what a lot of journalists do.”
She sighs, “Ok, my turn again. What made you decide to move to Lonestar Junction?”
“I bought a farm. Wanted to do something different and move somewhere quieter.”
“Well, you definitely picked the right place for that. Have you ever farmed before?”
“Nope.”
She laughs, “I don't think it's something you just decide to pick up and learn one day.”
I shrug in the darkness, “I’m realizing that, but I’m learning quickly. I have some help and already turned my garden around enough to produce onions, sweet potatoes, and strawberries. Donating them to the new co-op in town.”
