Page 13 of It Happened Back Then
“Bennett!” she exclaims, the sound more exasperated than surprised, knowing I’m teasing, probably already knowing what I’m going to say.
I continue to push. “You didn’t forget about our pact, did you?”
Her features soften and that smile I love appears. The one I fell in love with when we were ten, the one I still dream about now. “You’re serious about that?”
“On my life, I am.”
We hold each other's eyes through the small screen. She swallows hard before saying, “Looks like I did find a good man.”
“Don’t date anymore, Blossom. It's killing me.”
She laughs but sniffs like she’s trying to keep the tears away. “Stay away from the models of Seattle, Bennett. It’s killingme.”
BENNETT - TEXT
Me: You ever feel like you’re standing in a room full of people and still completely alone?
Blossom: Yeah. All the time.
Me: I don’t know if I belong here, Blossom. Seattle’s loud. It’s city life and I’m country. I keep saying I’m happy here, but I think I’m lying to myself.
Blossom: You’re not lying to yourself, it’s just different. You’re allowed to feel weird about change.
Me: I don't know. Some nights I look around at the city lights and loud people, and all I want is the peace that comes with sitting at Bean Lake.
Blossom: You just miss home.
Me: I miss you.
Blossom: Bennett...
Me: I’m not asking for anything. I just needed to say it.
Blossom: I miss you too. Can I be selfish?
Me: Yes.
Blossom: I want you to come home. I miss you so much, Bennett. I want you here, but I won’t ask you to give anything up. Not for me.
Me: What if I’m not giving something up? What if I’m choosing what I want?
Blossom: Then I’ll be here.
Me: Maybe it’s time I stop running from where I belong.
Blossom: Maybe.
CHAPTER 5 - BLOSSOM, AGE 24
“You know, you’re twenty-four, Blossom. You shouldn’t be here.”
“And where should I be?” I huff out in a tone harsher than I want. It’s hot, I’m moving all these boxes, and now my sister wants to tell me how to live my life.
“I don’t meanhere here, I meanhere.”
I’m in the stockroom of Dress Me Up boutique unpacking the boxes that were just delivered. The store my dad opened in the 1980s is barely alive. In the years since we lost him, we’ve struggled to keep it running, and though none of us want to sell it. It's getting to a point now where we may not have a choice.
Jack, my brother’s best friend, helped us out once but he’s been living in New York City and isn’t around much anymore. So, for now, it’s Meadow and I doing the best we can. My mom has been coming in and working the register, but we basically run the day-to-day stuff.
