“That’s actually the only photo I could find. The website is very basic, and the town seems to be off the map.”
She stares at me unblinking before her fingers find her temples and begins to pace the living room. “Let me get this straight. You’re moving out of state to a town you know jack shit about that has a half-ass website put together? And…” She leans down to look at the screen, poking the monitor with her finger. “One phone number with a pretty image of a lake?”
I nod. “Bluestone Lakes, to be exact.”
“You didn’t answer any of my questions.”
“Yes, to all of them.” I stand from the couch. “This is my chance to start fresh, Kodi. A town that’s so off the map they don’t even have a real website. A town where no one knows anything about me. Where I can be free from the chains of living how everyone wants me to. I already spoke to Nan and?—”
“Nan?” she cuts me off, standing still in the middle of the room.
“The phone number on the page. It’s connected to a woman named Nan.”
She pauses, staring at me like I have two heads. “I wish you would stay here in California and just move out of the city or something. I understand your reasoning for all of this, I do. I just don’t like it very much.”
“She told me they have a house right on a lake for me. It’s not Bluestone Lake, but a smaller lake in their town. The best part? It’s a tiny home, Kodi. A TINY HOME,” I exclaim. “I looked up what that was on an internet search, and I fell in love with the idea of owning one. How cool does that sound? And the second best part is that it’s nestled on a street with only one other house. Hello, privacy.”
Even with my excited tone, her face shows no emotion as she puts both hands on her hips. “Did she show you a picture?” sheasks. “What if this tiny home you speak of is a dumpster on wheels?”
“Very funny,” I deadpan.
“I’m being so serious right now.”
“Me too. I’m going to do this,” I say, closing my laptop and tucking it under my arms. “I’m leaving next week. I’m ready to start over and find my independence again instead of being known everywhere as Mrs. Andrews.”
“You can have your independence here,” she says.
Shaking my head, I turn to face the window overlooking the city. The same city where I grew up with Kodi. “You know I can’t do that. You know this place will always have shackles tied to me, forcing me to be the person I’ve always been.” I turn my body to face her again. “I need to get out of here to find that independence I’ve never had.”
She offers me a soft smile. “You’re right. And if you’re happy, then I’m happy too. You know I’ll always support you in anything you decide to do.”
And I truly am.
I’ve never been more nervous in my life about this new adventure. Everything Kodi expressed in her concerns has me questioning whether this is the right move. But if this ends up being the biggest mistake of my life, it’s something I can learn from.
Kodi begins to walk away. “But just know my spare room is always open for you when you learn it really is a dumpster fire and you need a place to stay,” she says with her back to me.
“Thanks, sis.”
“And, Blair?” she turns to face me from the hallway.
“Hm?”
“Go set the world on fire.”
CHAPTER 2
YOU AREN’T A FELON, RIGHT?
Blair
A sixteen-hour drive turned into a two-day drive. A little more than halfway through, I decided it was best for me, my passenger princess Reginald, and all the drivers on the road if I took the night off. The anticipation of getting to this new town had us on the road before the sun began to rise to make good time.
Seeing the town’s welcome sign finally coming into view, ignited a spark of excitement in every part of me.
Welcome to Bluestone Lakes.
It already feels like I’m putting the past behind me. The heavy memories, like the dense clouds that often hung over the Golden Gate Bridge, were finally lifting as the sign came closer to view.
