Page 25 of Where You Left Me

“You guys been busy today?” I ask, searching the inside of the store and too many feelings suddenly assault me.

I’ve been in this store more times than I can count. Regardless of the changes made over the years, it still feels the same. I imagine Mr. Martin will come bounding around the corner any second. Or Jones will be assisting an older gentleman with a tool they can’t quite get the hang of.

“We were earlier. So now I’m just trying to restock the shelves.” She takes the box from me and sets it alongside theother one. “But I know you didn’t come here to talk about the store.”

My attention shifts to the floor and I chew on my lip.

“You okay?” she asks, her voice softer now.

I nod but when I lift my gaze to hers, I can’t help but allow the emotions to set free. My heart thunders in my chest and tears burn my eyes in the corners.

“Oh, sweetie,” Cammie whispers and wastes no time bringing me in for a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“Me too,” I sob, holding her tight.

She rubs my back. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

“I should’ve told you. I should’ve told everyone.” I finally pull back and wipe my tears off my cheeks.

But Cammie wills me to make eye contact with her. “Hey, no. That’s not true. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. That was your business. No one else’s.”

I shake my head and my chin wobbles.

“But I’m not gonna lie, I wish you would’ve told me. Or I wish Jones had told me. I feel like such a shitty sister and friend.”

“Please don’t.”

“I could’ve been there for you both.” Cammie purses her lips. “I would’ve been there for you.” She reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze before letting go.

“I know.” I give her a weak smile. “I wish I had been strong enough to tell you.”

“Are you kidding?” She shakes her head. “What you went through, and how you handled it, and starting your life over, that was strong.”

Her words are consoling and reassuring. Though my heart still hurts from the regret. My shoulders still ache from carrying the weight of my secret around for so many years.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I don’t feel strong.”

She looks at me with determination. “Then you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to work my damnest to make sure you believe you’re strong. By the end of summer, you’re gonna be a whole new girl.” She smiles wide at me.

Camille and her sunny disposition. She sure hasn’t changed over the years. It’s a miracle losing her mom didn’t make her jaded. I’m relieved she’s the same.

Around the corner, an older version of Jones bobs his head out. The years have been good to Mr. Martin. Besides his hair is mostly grey, he still looks the same as I remember.

A wide goofy grin spreads on his face when he sees me, but there’s something like unease that shadows the smile. “Mia.” He rushes toward the front of the store where I’m standing and when he reaches me, he wraps me up in a big hug. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

“Hey, Mr. Martin,” my words muffle into the softness of the flannel covering his chest. “It’s good to see you.”

“It’s great to see you too, dear.” He can’t hide the sentiment in his voice.

He knows.

As much as I try to hold in my emotions, my eyes tear up once again. It all feels like too much. My loss. His.

I never expected to come into Martin’s Hardware and not see Mrs. Martin and her bright smile.

I sniff. “I should get going.”

He clears his throat when he pulls back. “Happy to have you home.”

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