With his fingernail, he grips the top of the tape at my shoulders, watching me. “Like this?” he asks.
I nod, keeping my gaze locked with his. “One, two, three,” I exclaim. Before he can pull it down, my doorbell rings. He steps back, hands going to button his pants. I slide my arms back into my dress and tell him to wait here for me. Mercer looks irate. The world has been against us today. Begrudgingly, I pull my dress up and over my shoulders.
I open my front door and I’m greeted with my mother’s red face, her fingers twining in her hair, a nervous twitch. “What did you do?”
Stepping back, I move out of her way as she barrels into my personal space. I glance over my shoulder at my bedroom door. It’s closed. “What are you talking about, Mama?”
“You left the festival early with Mercer. You didn’t even stay to help Tannie oversee the clean-up. What’s gotten into you? Have you forgotten your manners completely?”
I drop my chin. “You’re serious. This is why you’re flying off the handle right now?”
“You’re going to leave and not say goodbye to us, aren’t you? I can sense it, Clover. You’re doing this, leaving Greenton, and it’s all his fault. We were content before he breezed into town.”
I hold up one hand. “I haven’t been content for years. It’s my decision. How in the world would it be his fault when he’s going back to war, Mama? I’m not moving anywhere for a man,” I hiss at her, getting more furious as the seconds tick by. I’m sick of not being understood. “Consider this me saying goodbye then. If you’re so worried about me not bidding farewells before I move. This isn’t easy for me and you and Daddy are bent on making it darn near impossible.”
“Well, good!” Mama bursts out, laying a hand on her chest. “I want it to be impossible.” Mercer makes a noise from my bedroom and Mama hears it, cocking her head. “I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
“Good. That means I’ve finally found myself,” I drawl, motioning to the door. “I have to pack quickly so I can get back to the festival and help Tannie and the volunteer crew clean up. Wouldn’t want to give the wrong impression before I leave town.”
She shakes her head sadly as her chest moves up and down in a harried pace. “This is your home.”
I nod. “It will always be my home, it’s not my life though, Mama. This place isn’t my life. Not like you. Not like other women.” She turns on her heel as tears threaten. I close the door behind her and lock it. “You can come out now, Mercer.”
He walks out, hands in his pockets, gaze trained on the floor. “This expensive mini-mansion has thin walls. I heard it all. Every single word of it. I hate that they think I’m the reason you’re leaving, and I have no clue how to change their opinion on the matter.”
“You know as well as I that no one can change their opinion.” He sits next to me on the couch and takes my hand in his. It’s warm against my cool skin.
“Almost, Clover. You’re close. Right there. Some people say the first step is the hardest, but I challenge that. I think the last step is the hardest, ’cause that’s the step that officially changes everything. Instead of having one foot in each world, you’ve crossed over to the other side.” He shakes his head once. “There’s no going back after the last step. Hometown truths,” he says. “No one will understand and you gotta step anyway.” Mercer drapes an arm around my shoulder.
“I’m going to get changed and then I have to take care of a few things in town. I want to leave as soon as possible.”
Mercer pauses, drumming his thumb on my shoulder. “Are you takin’ the tape off?”
I chuckle. “You want to pull it off for me?”
“Does the Tin Man have a sheet metal cock?” Mercer fires back.
“I don’t know,” I say, wrinkling my nose.
He groans. “He does, Four Leaf Clover. Yes. He’s the Tin-Man. He’smadeof sheet metal.”
I shrug, blushing at the adorable nickname mixed into his statement. “If you say so. I prefer does a bear shit in the woods. It’s more traditional. Everyone knows the answer is yes.”
“That’s cliché,” he replies, flashing a satisfied smile. “Let’s get that tape off and get some errands run. We have a long drive tomorrow.” Mercer pauses. “How much stuff will you bring?”
I glance around the lavish living room appointed with beautiful decorations and expensive furniture and sigh. “Not much. As little as possible. Whatever will fit in my car. How much do you have?” He tells me one bag, and I’m confident we’ll be able to fit it all into my car. I don’t have a house in my name, but the car has always been in my name from the get-go. It might be the only thing I technically own. Even the dress on my back was purchased by my mother.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m terrified, Mercer.”
“Clover Wellsley isn’t afraid of anything,” he says. “She’s a force to be reckoned with. I’m going to hop home really quick and give my parents the news. They knew I was planning on leaving a bit early, so it won’t be a shock to them. You’ll be okay by yourself? You can stay at my house tonight and we can leave early in the morning. I’ll come back over to help you load up, just give me a call.”
My heart pounds along at a rapid-fire pace. “Yes. Please,” I say, voice cracking.
Mercer kisses me on my cheek and lets himself out. He forgot to take my tape off.
_______________
I have a Louis Vuitton trunk, two suitcases, and a duffle bag containing everything I think I’ll need, filling my trunk and backseat as I drive to Mercer’s house. I loaded it without his help because I wasn’t able to pack most of my wardrobe, but I won’t need sugar frill dresses in the north. I won’t need most of my old life up there and it’s a thrilling thought. I can be whoever I want. Soon. After I packed, I went to help Tannie and then the shelter. I spent an hour talking to one of the women Winnie took in about a week ago. There was something about her that made me uneasy. The way she watched me while we spoke. Or perhaps it was the questions she was asking.
