Page 91 of The Ballad of Us
“Do you regret staying?”
“Not exactly. We had a good life here, but I regret making the decision out of fear instead of love.” She sips her coffee thoughtfully. “The question isn't whether you should leave or stay, sweetheart. The question is what you're going to regret more, taking the risk, or playing it safe.”
As her words sink in, I picture those two paths. One is life on tour, a whirlwind of new places, days filled with new experiences, and time with Gray. On the other hand, the comfort of Dogwood Hollow, my home, and the stability I've come to depend on brings me so much solace. Both options seem real and daunting, but the decision point boils down to a choice between risk and tranquility.
“Follow your heart but use your brain.” Mrs. Patterson leaves with her usual blessing.
The coffee shop settles into its mid-morning lull. Emma and I work in companionable silence until she finally speaks.
“I'll hold your job for you,” Emma breaks through the silence.
The words hit me unexpectedly. “What?”
“If you decide to go on tour, I'll hold your position here. Find someone temporary to cover while you're gone.” Emma's voice is steady, but I can see the emotion in her eyes. “I've been thinking about it since last night. You've helped me make this place into an amazing village staple, but I can see that your heart is pulling you in other directions.”
“Emma, I can't ask you to do that. Eight months is a long time to hold a job for someone.”
“You're not asking, damn it. I'm offering. Rhea, you came here running from heartbreak and helped me build something beautiful. But you can't stay here forever just because it feels safe. You're meant for bigger things.” She rubs my shoulder and smiles, letting me know she’s sure about her decision. It means there’s no talking her out of it.
“I'm not hiding?—”
“Aren't you?” She turns to face me fully, and her expression is gentle but direct. “You found peace here, and that's wonderful, but there's a difference between healing and staying small because you're afraid to risk getting hurt again.”
The conversation is interrupted by the dramatic entrance of Leslie, who sweeps through the door carrying fabric samples and a clipboard. “Ladies! I need your aesthetic opinions on drape configurations for my guest bedroom. Additionally, I couldn't help but overhear, through the completely coincidental positioning of my morning walk, that we're having a life crisis meeting. How can I help?”
Despite everything, I laugh. “Does nothing happen in this village without you knowing about it?”
“Suga Boo Boo, I know when Mrs. Chen changes her tea blend before she does. Your romantic dilemmas are hardly going to escape my notice.” He settles into a chair with the air of someone preparing to solve all the world's problems. “Now, talk to Uncle Leslie. What's this about tours and life-altering decisions?”
For the next twenty minutes, I find myself laying out the entire situation to Leslie, who listens with the kind of focused attention he usually reserves for interior design crises. When I finish, he's quiet for a small eternity, tapping his perfectly manicured nails against his clipboard.
“Suga Boo Boo, can I tell you something that might sound harsh but comes from a place of love?” he asks.
“Please do,” I encourage him.
“You're approaching this like you're choosing between two completely different lives, but that's not actually what's happening here. You're choosing between a tour with your man and stagnation.”
“I'm not stagnating—” I argue.
“Boo Boo, you're twenty-nine years old and you have a beautiful life in this small mountain town where you've found sanctuary and a healing environment. That's a significant achievement, and it's truly admirable. You have a stable foundation, which is essential for success. However, there are times when we must remember that life's beauty also comes from taking risks and embracing the unknown. Life is about finding your footing again after you’ve been knocked down, and maybe it's time to see what adventures await.” His words hit deeper than I expect.
“So, you think I should go?” I worry my bottom lip as I wait for Leslie to convey whether I properly understood him.
Just then, Gray's truck pulls up outside the coffee shop, a visible sign of the decision awaiting me. Emotion swelling, I take a deep breath and allow myself a moment of clarity. It's not just about him and what he wants. It's also about me and what I want, what I need. Despite all the advice and encouragement, this choice remains mine. With a newfound sense of determination, I'm ready to face him and speak my truth. As if sensing my turmoil, Gray catches my eye through the window and gestures, making a small, heartfelt request that slices through my anxiety. His eyes are steady, searching mine for affirmation as he places his hand over his heart.
“Speak of the devil,” Emma murmurs.
“I should go talk to him,” I say, but I don't move.
“Yes, you should. But first, let me ask you one question—when you imagine your life five years from now, where are you? What are you doing? Who are you with?” Leslie offers such a unique perspective that I take the time to answer him with my heart.
However, I know all these answers without giving them much thought. “I'm with Gray. We're in a beautiful place, and I'm watching him play music for people who love it. We have an amazing life together.”
“Then there's your answer,” Leslie says as if that solves the entire issue at hand.
Gray enters the coffee shop with a nervous energy I haven't seen from him since he first showed up at Mountain Mornings, fresh out of rehab. Duke trots beside him, immediately making rounds to greet Emma and Leslie while Gray approaches me with careful steps.
“How are you feeling?” Gray approaches me like he’s afraid to spook me.
