Page 21 of Autumn Skies & Pumpkin Pies

This morning when I heard the doorbell, I had assumed it was either my mom or Rocker. The last person I expected to be on my doorstep was Teaganne. She rarely makes it back to Blue Ridge these days. So, when I saw her long, wavy brown hair and honey eyes I froze. My first instinct was to assume something happened. She said nothing happened and that she just needed to get away from the city, but I’m not sure I believe that. When I questioned her more last night, she told me her parents just wanted to see their grandchildren. Another line I don’t believe.

****

I’m hoping today I can get the real story before I head out to Bushels of Fun with Rocker. My guest bedroom door is already open with sunlight pouring into the hallway. I peek inside and see no sign of Teaganne, so I move through the house but pause when I hear the distinct sounds of running water and sniffling. I wait and listen for a few more seconds just to be sure I’m hearing correctly. Once I know she’s sniffling, I rush towards the kitchen. As I enter, she looks up, her eyes are red and puffy, tears stain her cheeks and in all the time I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her look so not put together. Her nightgown hangs off one shoulder from weight loss that worries me. The dark circles under eyes are evident without the makeup to cover them. Teaganne’s hair is unkempt and wild. “Oh, Teag, what’s wrong?” I ask, as I approach her. The sob that rips from her body sends Sassy running in the other direction and me towards her. She collapses into my arms and we slide to the floor, our backs against my white cabinets. Her body wracks with sobs for what feels like forever but eventually they morph into hiccups and then into sniffles. “Teag, are you okay?”

I can feel her nod her head against my shoulder. “Everything is a mess.”

“What do you mean?” I ask her.

Teaganne pulls away and looks straight ahead and in the most monotone and solemn voice I’ve ever heard she replies, “My life.”

I chuckle. “I don’t believe that for one minute.”

“Why not? It’s true!” She stands up abruptly and starts to wash the already clean coffee mug once more. I stand up and pull the mug from her grasp and turn off the water. She looks at me. “I didn’t just come here to see Rocker coach his first game.”

“I figured that. You usually only make one trip down her a year and that should have been next week.” Every week for the past five, soon to be six years, Teaganne packs up and comes back to Blue Ridge for a week. It’s a celebration of life thing that we started years ago.

“I was coming for that of course, but I hit my breaking point Bee. I can’t keep living like I’m living. I’m miserable and I hate my life. Well, not all my life Silas and Seraphina are the best thing that ever happened to me. I love my job, but my marriage is a joke. Joe is never around and when he is there, it’s only physically. I came here to look for a housefor me and the kids. I’m filing for a divorce.” Tears spring to her eyes again. I start to hug her, but she waves me off. “No, this is just silly. I’m leaving and yet I’m crying.”

“You’re giving up a piece of your life. That’s something worth crying over. I gave up Rocker and I still cried.” That memory slices through my heart once more. I guess, it’ll always be fresh in my mind.

“But that was different, you and Rocker loved each other. Joe and I don’t anymore. I’m not sure we ever really did. I’m beginning to think I got caught up in all of it, him, his money, his lifestyle. It had been everything I ever wanted and all of a sudden it could be mine too. He was so sweet and attentive at first. Then after the first year, things changed. I was going to leave, but then I found out I was pregnant with Silas. I felt like he deserved a father. Joe was a great one until after Seraphina turned seven months. Now, he’s just an absentee father and husband. He’s cheating all the time. We live separate lives, sleep in different beds. We rarely see one another and when we do it’s usually in passing in our own home.” Her shoulders sag and I want nothing more than to make her feel better but there are no words to change something like this.

I step forward and wrap my arms around her shoulders. “Then you come back here. I’ll help you look for a house. It’ll be great. You’ll start over.”

“What if I can’t?” Her voice wavers with uncertainty.

My hands lock on her shoulders and turn her to face me. “If I did then you can.”

“You’re right and I’ve been a horrible friend. How are you feeling?” she asks. The concern in her eyes makes me look away.

I shrug. “I’m good. There was a time I felt really sluggish and got scared so I went to the doctor and had it checked out, but I’m all clear.”

“Good. Now, we need to get you ready for your date,” she tells me. She starts to name off things I need before I can leave.

“I can reschedule if you want me to,” I offer.

Teaganne rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Nope, I have to go grab my kiddos in a bit anyways. I’ll be occupied with them. Don’t worry about me.”

****

Later after Teaganne has left I stand in the mirror and check my outfit once more before Rocker arrives, which will be any minute. The plaid skirt with black tights underneath and brown knee-high boots compliments the black sweater and brown suede vest with fringe that Teaganne dressed me in. She French braided the scalp of my hair before pulling it all into a big messy bun. Teaganne even convinced me to trade my glasses for contacts today.

The doorbell rings and I grab my purse and double check to make sure everything is off in the bathroom. When I open the door Rocker’s face is hidden behind a bouquet of Sunflowers. I feel the blush instantly. “For you darlin’,” he tells me, as he holds them out to me. I thought he might bring flowers again. It’s always been his thing, so I filled a vase with water and placed it on the cabinet by the door.

I take the Sunflowers and breathe in their scent before turning and dropping them into the vase. “Thank you so much. They’re beautiful.”

“I was just thinking the same thing about you. So, do you want to hear the plan for today?” I nod my head yes as we head out the door. “I was thinking we could do some apple and pumpkin picking then grab a late lunch before heading over to the farmer’s market and arts and craft show. Later, we can hit the fall festival carnival if you want.”

Rocker has always thought of everything and tonight's no different. “I love all that.” We listen to the country music on the radio as we make our way out to Bushels of Fun. We spend hours gathering apples that Rocker brought baskets for. They’ll be great for the bakery. After that, we get a few pumpkins. We take random pictures of one another and together behind big pieces of wood with a cutout for your face to show through. They’ve been hand painted with characters and scenes in front. I always love to see the new ones they add each year. Afterwards, we load our apples and pumpkins into Rocker’s truck. “Are you ready to grab some food?”

“Yes, I’m starving.” We decided to check out one of the hot dog booths that serve the resident Georgia dog. Georgia dogs are unlike any hot dog you’ve ever seen, but they are amazing. You can’t pick them up and eat them like you would normally assume. Nope, ours require a fork. Its bun is open faced, with the hot dog itself sliced up, topped with cheese, chili, onion, pickle, oyster crackers, ketchup, and mustard.

“I haven’t had one of these in so long,” Rocker admits, as he digs in.

My mind begins to think of a thousand questions concerning his past, but the first one is easy. “Did you never come back home?”

Rocker sighs and studies his plate for a minute while tracing the orange and white checkered tablecloth covering the wood picnic table we’re currently sitting at. “I did a couple of times, but they were brief trips. It was hard being back here.”

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