Page 87 of The Tattered Gloves
I’d turned my attention away from my books, instead focusing on putting away a few loads of laundry before going to work. Once again, I was heading in early to help Sam out.
We had a lot to do.
“You don’t have to drive me,” I said, finishing up. I placed an armful of shirts in my dresser drawer and quickly grabbed my backpack. I didn’t think we’d have much downtime while preparing for the sale, but if for some reason we did, I wanted to be prepared with some homework since the end of winter break was quickly approaching, and I was horribly behind.
“I know,” she replied. “But it’s cold out there, and I hate seeing you walk all the time. Besides, Sam requested that I join you.”
That piqued my interest.
Looking up, I met her gaze. “He did? Do you know why?”
She shrugged, looking as clueless as I did. “No idea, but I guess we will find out soon. You ready?”
I halfway put my backpack over my shoulder and walked across the small space before I realized my jacket was still on the bed. I tried to ignore the tiny chuckle that escaped from my aunt.
“Just glad to see you excited,” she said as I wrinkled my nose at her.
“To go to work?” I replied.
I followed her out the door, pausing just outside to allow her time to lock everything up.
Once her keys were safely in her hand, she looked over at me and replied, “Are you ever going to admit to me that you have a crush on that boy?”
“I… yes, maybe.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught her smiling.
“I know it might seem like I don’t have much experience in dating, considering I haven’t been on a single date since you arrived here. But I have—”
“Awkward. This is totally awkward,” I said as we approached the car.
“Okay, good. I felt like I was dying.” She breathed out in relief.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Just know I’m here if you ever want to talk… about anything.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“Good.”
We enjoyed the rest of the drive in silence as I sat back, watching the town I’d found myself falling in love with rush by the window. It was a short route into town, less than a few minutes really, one that I’d nearly memorized from my walks to and from the bookstore.
From the tiny gas station on the corner that served some of the best ice cream in town to the diner we passed as we turned onto Main that Allison and I frequented because of their cheap fries, there were memories spread all over this town.
Good memories.
Bad memories.
And everything else in between.
Mrs. Landers’s words came back to me then.Cherish your memories — the good, the bad, and everything in between.
It reminded me of the life or story I was creating here with Addy and Allison… and Sam. As much as I wanted to forget about the bad memories of my life, I was determined to make good ones here… the ones I’d remember forever.
Addy parked the car directly outside the bookstore, and I noticed the mess in front of the large set of windows right away.
“Looks like he got started early again,” I muttered.
