Chapter Nine: Maybe Connections:

“So how long have you been in town?” I asked.

“Six years,” Heather said. I let off a low whistle.

“That would drive me crazy,” I said. “And I have lived here most of my life.”

“Why did you leave?” she asked. I shrugged.

“I just had to get away, you know?” I said. “Got tired of this town.”

“Why?” Heather asked. I shrugged and shook my head.

“I just wanted so much more,” I said. I didn’t sound so convinced myself. I thought I would be happy in Boston. Not, I am not so sure.

“Hey,” I said.

“What?” Heather asked.

“Do you ever wonder what do next after everything you worked for falls to pieces?” I asked. She thought about that for a moment.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” she said. “I don’t really know what to do with myself.”

“Oh,” I said, nodding. She’s like me in a way. Suddenly, my phone buzzed.

“Excuse me,” I said. I pulled out my phone. Please don’t let it be one of my students. Please don’t let it be one of my students. Oh, it’s my mom.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Nathan,” she said. “I’m out of mayo for the cake. Could you pick up some for me?” I smiled to myself.

“Sure,” I said.

“Thank you so much,” she said. “I love you.” I hung up the phone and turned back to Heather.

“Sorry about that,” I said. “I have to go. I need to pick up something for my mom.”

“I’ll take it from here,” she said.

“Thank you,” I whispered. I turned and walked out of the library. I walked past the front desk.

“Are you leaving?” Mrs. Washburn asked.

“I have to go pick up something for mom,” I said.

“Okay, see you tomorrow,” she said. I nodded and walked out the door.

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The sun was still rising high. I shielded my eyes as I looked up. I had something to do for the summer at least. The question was what was I going to do next. I shoved my hands into my pockets and started walking. This wasn’t going to be a permanent fixture. I couldn’t go back to Boston right now. I shook my head. Can’t think about that now. I have to go get mayo.

I made it down to the Village Green General Store. I hadn’t been here in a while. Usually, I shopped at Publix. I found myself standing at the glass doors. I wonder who’s still here. One step in and the doors slide open.

There weren’t many people inside. Of course, it was only morning. Let’s see. One, two, three, four, five, six little old ladies were pushing carts around the store. I began to remember mom dragging my sisters and I around the market. I am not a fan of shopping. I tend to just get in and out. Today was going to be no different.

I walked over at the condiment section. Just get the mayo and get out. I hoped that no one would stop me to chat. Mom didn’t tell me which brand that she wanted. She was going to get the best one available. Usually, I went for the cheaper brands. That wasn’t going to be good enough her. I shivered the last time I bought her a cheap knock-off brand to some food product. (I think it was cheese. Maybe it was some lunch meat, I don’t remember.) Mom gave me judgmental looks for the rest of the week. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.

I looked at the different brands in front of me. Hm… Which one should I get? I put myself in mom’s mind for baking. Let’s see… I would go for… Duke’s! I grabbed a jar of Duke’s. Good, now it was time to go home. I turned to leave.

“Nathan?” I heard behind me. I froze and turned around. A small old lady leaned on a cane looked up and down.

“It is you!” she said. It took me a while to recognize who was talking to me by the purple hair.

“Mrs. Blackwell?” I asked. It was then I realized the mistake that I had made. She broke into a huge grin. Uh oh…

“How have you been?” she asked.

“Not so good,” I said. “I got fired and I lost my apartment. So I moved back home to figure out what to do next.” Mrs. Blackwell frowned.

“I am so sorry to hear that, dear,” she said.

“Yeah…” I said. I started backing away. I have to try and escape before…

“How is your mom doing?” that old lady asked. I froze in place. Crap, it’s too late. I’m going to be trapped in a conversation with until another friend of hers comes along to talk.

“Fine,” I said with clenched teeth. “She’s doing fine.” I glanced behind me, trying to look for an escape. I have a few seconds before I could get away.

“So what are you up to now?” Mrs. Blackwell asked.

“I have no idea,” I admitted. “I’m just volunteering at the library right now.” At this point, I am trying not to be rude, but I want to run away. Ever had to deal with that problem before? We all did. We always do. The only way that I could escape if one of her friends came along and distracted her. I started to pray that would happen.

“Alice?” we heard up ahead. We looked up to see another old lady with a shopping cart in her hands.

“Betty?” Mrs. Blackwell asked. She turned and wandered down the aisle in a chatty mood. I breathed out and made my way to the check out line as fast as I could. I thought that she would never let me go. Now, I just have to get home and get mom her mayo for her cake. I tried to not to talk to anyone else as the clerk scanned said mayo. I handed the money and hurried away as fast as I could. This is way I am not a fan of supermarkets in general. Maybe, I should try online shopping here.