Page 25 of Only Fate

“Those are cute, but hate to say it, their eyes creep me out. They’re like two huge boba pearls.” She scoots closer, noticing my change in emotions, and settles her head on my shoulder. “I know you never told me the entire story of what happened between you two, but sometimes, giving someone a second chance is okay, Essie. Sometimes, the second time around is when you truly show someone everything about you.”

A tear slips down my cheek as I whisper, “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

She kisses my cheek. “I’m here for you, no matter what.”

I slowly nod before reaching forward to finally open the food containers.

Ava and I spend the next three hours watchingEmily in Pariswhile sharing the nachos, grilled cheese sandwich, and carrot cake.

10

Ifollow Terrance’s Volvo down a curvy, narrow road. We’re about twenty miles outside downtown Blue Beech, and I haven’t seen a house in miles.

He makes a sudden left, and I curse when one of my wheels hits a pothole before we reach a gravel lane that leads to a two-story home with a wraparound porch perched on a hill. It’s an old house, but you can tell it’s in the middle of a remodel. Half of it looks done, while the other half still needs some TLC.

A man and woman dressed in matching denim overalls wave to us from the porch as we grow closer. I park, and they walk down the three wide steps to meet us.

“Pete,” the man says, holding out his hand. “This is my wife, Agnes.”

“Adrian.” I shake his and then Agnes’s hand.

Pete runs a hand through his graying beard. “Terrance said you’re looking for somewhere to stay. Our loft above the garage is open. If you don’t mind a little dust, the place is all yours. It’s private, and we won’t bug ya.”

“Thank you.” I clasp my hands and tip my chin toward them.

“Make sure you’re careful while driving here at night,” Agnes says, and I notice one of her overall straps is undone and behind her shoulder. “It’s easy to get lost.”

“The place is furnished,” Pete adds. “It’s outdated furniture, but, hey, it’s furniture.”

“It’ll do,” I say, grateful.

“Rent is eight hundred a month. If you need us to go lower, we can. We cover all utilities.”

Finding a rental in Blue Beech has been harder than trying to learn Terrance’s filing system—and the man still hasn’t learned that technology is his friend. There was hardly anything available, so Terrance asked around and found me this.

The hour-drive commutes to my condo late at night are taking a toll on me and my dog, Tucker. Tucker stays with my abuela while I work and then rides home with me later. I can only allow him to stick his head out the window at midnight for so long until enough bugs start blowing in our faces.

On the drive here, Terrance told me Pete was one of his closest friends. He and Agnes used to live closer to town, but Agnes wanted to buy a horse, so they bought this place for the extra land.

“You allow pets, right?” I ask.

“What you got?” Pete asks. “A dog? Cat?”

“Dog. Golden retriever.”

“Dog is fine.” He removes his hat and wipes the sweat building along his forehead. “We got an old dachshund. You might see Greta running around here at night. She don’t bite but appreciates a good slice of bacon and belly rubs.”

“Sounds like she and Tucker are a lot alike then.” I smile.

“That mean you’ll take it?” Agnes asks.

“I’ll take it.”

“We’re glad to have you.” Pete claps me on the back before handing me a key. “Agnes always makes breakfast. If you’re hungry in the morning, stop in. Now, let me show you your new place.”

I grab my duffel bag from the trunk, and Terrance and I follow Pete. We trudge up creaky, old stairs that lead to a door on the second story of the garage. The air is musty when we walk in, and Pete starts opening windows.

I drop my bag onto the leather couch. There are plenty of rips, but thankfully no stains. Pete wasn’t lying when he said the place was dusty, but it’s not too bad. There’s a box TV that I’m sure was made while I was in Pampers and a metal-framed bed, but the appliances aren’t too outdated.

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