“Will do. What about you?”
In the city, that question would have required a shrug or a short-ended “fine.” Firefly residents didn’t ask questions without offering to put on a pot of coffee. I appreciated their willingness to be candid, and it came from a genuine place of concern.
“I’m okay. Maybe? It’s been a lot, and I’m still processing everything.” The matriarch of our family had died, handing the reins to my sister, and we hardly spoke. “I have a complicated family life.” Even as I said it aloud, I scoffed. Of course, Chris knew all about it. Secrets didn’t exist in Firefly. I’m sure somebody had drawn him a family tree and explained every gruesome detail.
“I know this sounds weird considering we’ve met all of six times, but if you need somebody to talk with…” I expected the response. Firefly had a way of breaking down walls and shoving its nose into your business. Chris might not have been born here, which explained his less aggressive approach, but he had caught onto their ways. “Same goes for Bobby. We have a standing date night on Tuesdays with Simon and Jason if you want to come.”
“A fifth wheel? Unless you’re organizing an orgy, I’ll have to pass.”
“Oh no, the orgies are on Thursday night.”
I snapped my fingers. “Drats. I have a puzzle planned that night.” I was only half-joking. Mimi had far too many puzzles. “I appreciate the offer.”
He leaned over, bumping his shoulder against mine. “Make sure you’re not isolating yourself.” I didn’t have toask. He had received the newsletter announcing my reunion with Tyler. No matter how subtle, he fell somewhere in the gossip-filled group text.
“Who told you?”
He laughed. “Abraham saw you two together,” Chris said with a grin that could only mean trouble. I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. “Of course he did.” Did he send out a town-wide alert, too? If you want to know who’s talking about you, there were some key names in Firefly. Gladys. Doris. Gloria. “Yeah, he mentioned you and Tyler. I’m waiting for the town meeting.”
He meant it as a joke, but when I glared at him, he held up a hand in defense. “I swear, I haven’t heard of an actual town meeting about it… yet.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I know everybody cares. But?—”
“It’s hard to process while they’re meddling?” He nodded. “Yeah, I get that. But… maybe they have a point?” He got up, hoisting his bag of groceries under the crook of his arm.
Chris’s eyes softened. I couldn’t deny the truth behind his words. Mimi’s death. Repairing a relationship with Evie. Reconnecting with Tyler. My life had become a jumble of emotions, and if I were being honest, I barely had time to process each situation. Behind all that, I had this lingering feeling that the turbulence had less to do with them and more to do with myself.
“Can I offer some unsolicited advice?”
“The fact you’re asking tells me you weren’t born here.”
Chris had a grin capable of disarming any cynic. Ileaned back, folding my arms across my chest. There was no harm in listening to him. With the sun beaming, he’d need to be quick before I walked away with a sunburn.
“A wise man once told me Firefly has a way of giving us what we need.” I wanted to scoff at the sentiment, but something about it lingered. Was Firefly giving me what I needed? Or was it just forcing me to sit still long enough to notice?
I raised an eyebrow. “Abraham?”
“Edward.” I don’t think I knew him. Give it a day; I’m sure he’d drop off a pie. “I don’t think it’s magical. Firefly is…” He turned about, taking in the downtown. “Boring.” He said it as if it were a well-kept secret. “That’s not a bad thing. It’s a chance to stop, breathe, and regroup. If anybody could use a deep breathing right now…”
“Thanks.” I forced a smile. “I mean it.” If we were going to use the breathing analogy, I had been gasping for breath. I was so busy trying to inhale that I hadn’t bothered filling my lungs. Maybe it was time I paused the universe and focused on myself.
Chris didn’t seem convinced. “I appreciate it, and thanks for not being pushy. Firefly hasn’t converted you yet.”
“Good to hear. We’ll see you on Tuesday.”
“Huh?”
Chris walked away, then casually turned back. “Don’t forget a date. We can’t have you being an awkward fifth wheel.”
Dammit. The town had gotten him.
RADICAL LOVE
Evie: Taking care of yourself?
Jon: I had pie for breakfast.
Evie: I call that a victory.
