I sighed and focused my attention back to my computer. I had work to do and me sitting there moping about things wasn't going to get it done. Moping wouldn't fix things, but working would at least accomplish something.
“Hannah, room two is here,” Donna called to me.
Time to get back to work.
Chapter 2
When the work week was over and Saturday finally rolled around, I decided to wake up a little early. Even though it was my day off, I still had a lot of things to do. My parents, who lived on the other side of town from me, were having a BBQ. It was always a huge event and it only seemed to grow every year. Half the town would end up making an appearance. Some I'm pretty sure only came for the free food, but others were genuinely interested in keeping in touch with my parents.
My dad was an active member of the town's Gentleman's Poker Society and my mother went to every Ladies' Bridge Club meeting. The poker games were real, but the bridge games were just a means to gossip and plan out the lives of everyone else in the town. All the important people in town were members, which meant that despite having a strange daughter, my parents were pillars of the community and that everyone knew who they were.
The thought crossed my mind that this might be my dad's last BBQ and my ribs tightened around my heart. I shook my head, trying not to be negative. If this was his last BBQ, I was going to make sure it was a good one and not bring gloomy thoughts with me.
I rolled out of bed and looked out my window at the morning sunshine. The view that sprawled in front of me was like something out of a farmer's magazine. My house was on the outside of town, which meant that my backyard consisted of nothing but miles and miles of corn fields. I found it beautiful and incredibly peaceful, especially in the early summer, when the corn stalks were still dark green. It looked like an ocean of lush foliage against a bright blue sky, laid out in front of me as far as the eye could see.
In the distance, a lonely red tractor puttered across my view. The sound of the motor combined with the sweet smell of summer grass triggered childhood memories. I opened the window and drew in a long breath, sucking up the humid air.
There are things I love about this place, I thought. It's worth it to be back here.
Shutting the window, I wrapped myself in my robe and went downstairs to start a pot of coffee. While it heated up, I glanced around my little house. Fifty years ago, it had been my grandparent's farm house. When my grandparents passed years ago, they'd left it to my parents and they'd used it as a second home for guests. When we got my dad's diagnosis, they were happy to give it to me so I could be close.
I smiled as I looked around the cheerful yellow kitchen with an old avocado colored stove and worn cabinets. I had so many happy childhood memories in this place. My mother and I would spend summer afternoons in this kitchen, chatting with my grandmother as she baked cookies. My mother taught me how to make a casserole in this kitchen when I was sixteen.
My phone rang and I walked across the small living room to answer it. The caller ID said it was Karina, my oldest friend.
“Hello,” I said warmly into the phone, expecting to hear my friend's voice.
“Aunt Hannah!” a small girl squealed instead. It was Leigh Ann, Karina's six year old daughter.
“Well, good morning,” I said, a smile filling my face. “How's my favorite goddaughter doing today?”
“I'm good,” she replied. “I wanted to make sure you were coming to the BBQ today. Mom said she wasn't sure.”
“Of course I'll be there,” I promised. “I wouldn't miss it.”
“Good, because I miss you, Aunt Hannah,” Leigh Ann said. “I want to see you.”
My heart melted and it was all I could do to not tear up. “I miss you, too. I'm looking forward to seeing you today. Maybe we can play horseshoes.”
“Yay! Horseshoes!” Leigh Ann squealed. “Mom! Aunt Hannah said she'll play horseshoes with me.”
“That's great, honey.” I heard Leigh Ann's mom, Karina, in the background. We'd been best friends since the third grade, when we snuck frogs into Mrs. Stone's lunchbox.
“Can I talk to your mom real quick?” I asked Leigh Ann.
“Yeah, here she is,” Leigh Ann said.
A moment later, Karina came on the line.
“Hey,” she greeted me. “I hear you’re in town, but I haven't seen you for more than five minutes.”
I chuckled, knowing that we'd stayed so long in a restaurant we were kicked out just a week before. Still, for being in town, I hadn't seen my friend as much as I would have liked.
“I know, and I'm sorry. I'm still getting settled,” I said. “I think I'm finally settled in at work. We'll do something soon. Promise.”
“Good. I need some more wine time,” Karina replied. “Leigh Ann, do not climb on the counter tops. If you need to climb something, you can go outside.”
From the background I heard a “but, Mo-om,” followed by a brief pause and then the sound of the backdoor opening and shutting.