I shook my head.“I can only imagine how tough it is.I teach third grade and was a nanny for the last few summers.There’s a lot parents have to keep up with.”
“Don’t I know it.My son’s nine,” Brinley said.Her face lit up as she looked past me.
I turned and saw a boy who was taller than some teenagers.He kept going, walking right into Brinley’s arms.
“This is Adam.Adam, this is Ms.Ashlyn’s friend, Reegan.”
“Hi, Adam.It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” the boy said, shaking my offered hand.
“I would have guessed much older than nine.”
“He gets his height from his father,” Brinley said without further comment.
“Makes sense,” I said, sensing the subject was not up for more conversation.Not that it was any of my business anyway.
“Nice to meet you, Reegan,” Brinley said, effectively dismissing me.
“You, too.Both of you.”I took my books and headed for the door, wondering about the sudden change but reminding myself I didn’t know her and didn’t have a right to her personal life.
I slid the books into my oversized tote, thankful I was always carrying a bag that held way more than I usually had.I let the sunshine warm my face, then continued on my way through town.
I paused every so often to take pictures of the town.An old clock on a pedestal.A small river running beneath an old bridge.A flowering tree with a dilapidated building in the background.As I kept going, I heard water rushing and followed the sound down a sidewalk.
“Amethyst Bay Getaway,” I read on a sign just before the waterfall I heard as I got closer.Below the name of the place wasAll are welcome to visit Sunset Falls.
I looked at the waterfall and felt beckoned closer.I continued up the sidewalk, watching the water rush past me a dozen feet below the sidewalk.I stopped a few times to take pictures of the waterfall and the surrounding area, feeling peaceful.
I reached the edge of the sidewalk and saw a path down to the water.No one was down near the bottom of the falls, so I continued down the pathway to where the water drowned out all other sounds.I lifted my face to the water, enjoying the gentle spray that softened the heat of the sunshine.
I found a rock to sit on and stared at the water until my phone buzzed with a text.
Ashlyn
Where are you?
Sunset Falls
Ooh, nice.Did you meet Cora and Jean?
Uh, no?
They own ABG.Usually they come and say hi when someone is at the falls.It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
It is.Very peaceful.
Yes, it is.Are you hungry?I was going to start dinner.
Always.I got coffee and a quiche a few hours ago.
I’ll get started.See you when you get here.
Thanks!Heading back now.
“Hello,” a voice said as I walked up the pathway from Sunset Falls.“I’m Jean.”
I chuckled.“I’m Reegan.My friend just asked if I had met you.”
