Page 53 of Everything Has Changed
I think I finished half the bottle of his favorite bourbon standing there, watching the town live and breath right before me. Understanding on some level why my father feels as badass and invincible as he does. I mean, he never had to work for his position. It was handed to him the same way it’s being handed to me. The only difference is he was handed a clean start. He chose to make it the dirty thing it is now.
Why couldn’t I just be happy to rack up generational wealth for our family and our closest allies? To send a big middle finger to the everyday person helping make this little area of the world a beautiful place to be.
A part of me wishes I never had a conscience. That I never dealt with that pesky thing called empathy. That when I found out how my father was actually running our town when I was just a kid, it didn’t bother me.
But it did. And it’s probably why my grandfather tucked tail and moved across the country. Not that I can really blame him. I know he tried to set his son up for success. Even tried to step in when he realized the mess he was beginning to make. I don’t think they have even talked to each other since then, so I can only imagine how that went, especially considering he just got worse after that.
Standing above everything, I watched the people of this town as they went about their afternoon. Some I knew, others must have moved here after I left, plus the tourists who were grinning with excitement as they bounced from shop to shop. I found myself rubbing at my chest, watching a few of them open the door to the cafe, their faces lighting up at what I’m sure was the fresh scent of coffee and sugar. The heaviness in my chest at the thought that he could ruin that moment for people. That he could ruin it forher.
After a while, I took what was left of the bottle and made the trek back home. Only I ended up in the opposite direction, taking the trail that haunted my dreams for the last sixteen years. My feet were sluggish beneath me as my mind shouted for them to stop moving. But I was too far gone to listen.
I tripped my drunken ass through the trail, luckily not running into anyone on the way to the clearing. Usually a place that was full of hikers as they took in one of the clearest views overlooking themountains that sat behind the town, today it was empty. Like the universe knew I needed this time with my overactive, liquor-soaked brain as I attempt to concoct a plan.
Because if I was going to take his place, I was going to do it my way.
I stayed in that spot as the sun dipped down for the day. The same spot my brother took his last step before sliding to his final resting place.
It was almost poetic, if you ask me now. Jake pushed me out of the way to keep me from falling when I took one wrong step too close to the edge. Placing himself in danger instead of me. That one moment had me being placed in his empty shoes for the rest of my life. Like a sick version ofFreaky Friday, only instead of switching bodies, we switched fates.
19
Gwendolyn
“Gwen! I swear you are doing pure witchcraft with that espresso machine.”
I grin at Mary Weaver from across the counter, pulling a double shot for another of our specials for the day. One of my favorite things to do is create new drinks to pair with whatever Ophelia whips up in the kitchen. Since everyone is going feral over her apple tarts lately, I tried my hand at an apple crumble latte.
“That is high praise coming from you.” I pour the shots into a cup and start to steam the milk. The temperature had dipped today, and it was hot lattes galore with the customers. “I was excited to see your name on the booth signup this year.”
“You know I live for this event. It’s the best time to get people to try out my expertise without feeling overly pressured. You know, some people just don’t want to know the truth. Nonsense, if you ask me. Better to be prepared than not, I say.” She taps her long purple fingernail on the counter, emphasizing her point.
“You know I’ll be lined up and ready for a reading,” I promise her. I finish up the latte and hand it over to the customer waiting patiently at the pickup counter. Walking back over to Mary, she doesn’t waste any time grabbing my hand to inspect my palm.
“You know, I’ve been getting these feelings when I come in here lately.” She traces my heart line before closing my fingers over it and tapping it three times before letting go.
“What have I told you, Mary? Unfortunately, we don’t play for the same team.” I grin at her.
She shrugs, the beads on her shawl clinking together as she moves her upper body. “Honey, you couldn’t handle it even if you did. A cougar like me would eat you alive.” She leans in a bit and whispers. “But you’d like it,” she adds with a wink.
I giggle. “I’m sure I would.”
“I’m serious, though. There’s this warmth coming from you. It feels…” she waves her hands in front of her trying to come up with the right word. “Hopeful. Like a new beginning is coming for you.”
“This opportunity to help plan the fall festival is probably what you are feeling.”
Mary cocks her hip and stares at me for a moment before shaking her head. “It’s more than that, though I have to admit I think it’s connected. Why don’t you stop by soon, and we can do a reading?”
“You know I save my one and only tarot pull for the festival. Let’s not mess with tradition.”
She huffs. “Knowledge is power, girl! The more you know—”
“The more I’ll hyperfixate and get nothing done,” I interrupt with a pointed finger in her direction. “We both remember what happened the one time I went rogue and requested an extra reading for the new year.”
Mary smirks. “I pulled The High Priestess and told you to trust your intuition. Not my fault you muddled your intuition by overthinking every moment after that.”
“I was a basket case. Piper was about to divorce me as her best friend!”
She raises her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. But I’ll be waiting for you on festival day. I’m all too eager to pull your cards.”
