“But Mom, the location, Crystal Mill, that’s going to be a whole load of stress. Urgh!” I frown.
My mom bought a cabin in Crystal Mill some years ago. It’s a cabin beside the lake, near the lift at the edge of the forest. She says she loved the view and the beauty of the place, and she has not really thought of what to do with the place. Yesterday we talked, and I told her my dream is to start bed and breakfast. She suggested the cabin she bought in Crystal Mill would make a perfect mountain cabin bed and breakfast. I’m not saying she’s wrong, but the stress is what I am worried about. I think I’m just lazy and unserious.
“What do you mean? Crystal Mill is a great place,” she says, hoping to convince me.
“I know it is, but…” I groan in defeat.
“You don’t have a point. You better get your lazy ass up and do something with yourself.” My mom pulls the blanket away from my body.
“Okay, I will go there on Saturday,” I roll my eyeballs.
“Go there tomorrow; Saturday is Jasmine’s wedding. And you have to attend because I want you to see how these young ladies are getting married.” She turns to cast me a sarcastic smirk. “Maybe it’s going to motivate you to stop saying no to every man that asks you out.”
“Mom, how many men have I said no to?” I cross my arms against my chest, trying to understand her point.
“Raphael, Johnson, Bryan, Charles, they all liked you. But did you date any of them? No.”
I scoff in disbelief. Is this woman for real? These men she just listed are fuck boys who only want me for my body. What does she even know?
“Mom, I am going to date a man I love and not just any man. Okay? So, I need you to understand that,” I raise my eyebrows at her.
“Oh, sure, of course, I understand you, my picky daughter.” She eyes me warily before walking out of my room.
I collapse on my bed, pulling the blanket over my head. This is what I go through as the jobless, single, twenty-eight years old lady that I am. This is it.
It’s Friday, and my mom forced me to drive down here. I had a different plan for the day, but she said I have to come here today, and here I am.
I look around slowly. Does Google Maps even work here? I’ve been here twice before, but I can’t remember where the lake is. It’s why I begged my mom to follow me here, but the response I got was her usual line, “You are an adult. I won’t always be here to support you.” She’s not even in her late fifties yet, and she keeps talking like she’s going to die tomorrow. She should at least help me while she’s still alive, but no.
“Excuse me, please, I erm,” I stop the woman walking in front of me. Glad she chose to pass here; I was afraid I’d stand here forever without anyone to help me.
“Yes, good morning,” she greets politely.
“Morning, I think I am lost. I need to make a phone call, but the network connection around here sucks.” I look around again.
“Oh, there is a café down there, it is right there,” she points to the left direction, and I follow her hand with my eyes.
“Yeah, I can see it.” I nod affirmatively.
“There’s a strong network connection there. You will be able to place a call once you are in there,” the lady tells me.
“Oh, thank you.”
“You are welcome. Do have a great day ahead!” she replies with a smile before walking away.
“You too!” I say, baffled by how courteous she was. This place seems like a nice place. It’s a lot different from the city.
I walk inside my car and drive down to the café that she pointed to me. Parking my car in front of the building, I hurried out and walked inside.
“Excuse me, is this the café where there’s a good network connection?” I ask without greeting.
The reply I get is awkward stares and radio silence. I look from the first man to the second one, and then my eyes finally fall at the big muscular man who’s standing a few feet away from me.
Why are they all staring?
“Hellooo, am I in the wrong place?” I question again, waving my left hand to get their attention.
“No, yeah, you are in the right place. Please come inside and pick a seat,” the big muscular man finally speaks.
