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“Hey, honey, what can I get you?” The woman behind the bar was short and stout. She had an infectious smile and her golden curls bounced as she moved. Faith didn’t know many people who could sport a genuine smile like that first thing in the morning.

“Coffee and pancakes, please.”

“Coming right up.”

Faith let out a little giggle. This would be the first time she tried coffee. Caffeine probably wasn’t the best thing in her current state, she was already wired but screw it. This is why she’d left, so she could make her own decisions and try new things. Her reasons for leaving ran a lot deeper than coffee, but it was still a valid point.

Faith’s wristwatch beeped. She’d set it to go off at six. Like clockwork, Alan and Maureen would climb out of bed at 6 a.m. sharp. Her mother usually rapped on Faith’s door at two minutes past. Faith’s eyes were glued to the digital display.

As the numbers changed, Faith clenched her fists. They would know now.

“Here ya go, honey. Coffee and pancakes. There’s extra syrup just over there. Call if you need anything.”

Unfurling her hands, Faith placed them on the counter, closed her eyes and counted to ten. She was okay; she was safe. For now anyway. Not wanting her first experience tasting coffee to be marred by all the things that could go wrong with the upcoming travels, Faith shook out her body and smiled. The coffee looked like mud, which Faith was sure meant it wouldn’t be great. Yup, the first swallow almost made her cough a lung up.

“Eat your pancake, it will help,” a soft voice said from beside her. The unfamiliar voice poured from a familiar mouth—it was the girl with the AirPods from the back of the bus.

“Thanks, wow, yeah, that’s something,” Faith spluttered. The woman laughed, which made Faith smile.

“Do you mind if I sit here?”

“No, go ahead.” Faith shuffled in her seat.

“I’m Nathalie,” the woman said, holding out her hand. Faith gripped it lightly and shook.

“Faith.”

“Are the pancakes any good?”

Faith cut a small bite and popped it in her mouth. Warm butter spread across her tongue causing a delighted moan to leave her mouth. Nathalie laughed. “So good,” Faith mumbled.

“Hey, can I have the same as her, please?” Nathalie asked Liz. Faith had spotted her name badge.

“Sure thing, honey,” Liz called.

“So, where are you off to?” Nathalie asked. Faith’s defenses rose instantly. It was silly, Faith knew there was no way Nathalie had any knowledge of her plans or reasons for leaving Kentucky. That didn’t stop her body from visibly reacting. Nathalie must have seen Faith stiffen because she quickly changed the subject. “Ugh, I hate traveling by bus. My back goes into spasm. I’m only nineteen. That shouldn’t happen right?”

“Definitely not,” Faith laughed, thankful for Nathalie’s understanding.

“Well, these pancakes should help,” Nathalie smiled as Liz placed her food and coffee down. The women fell silent as they ate. Faith wished she had better social skills, maybe then she would know how to traverse these kinds of interactions. Unfortunately, socializing was not important according to her father. As long as she could be polite when spoken to, that was all that mattered. If it weren’t for Alice, Faith would have been completely alone and friendless.

Faith didn’t even have the respite of school. Maureen Parsons had homeschooled her. Well, she’d taught her daughter the basics, never straying into anything remotely liberal. As long as Faith could read, do basic math, and recite the Bible by heart, that was a job well done in Maureen’s eyes.

“I… I saw you listening to music on the bus,” Faith stuttered. Was her face red?

“Oh yeah. God, I couldn’t do without music. What sort of stuff are you into? I love everything. Honestly, my playlist is a mixed bag.”

Great, another uncomfortable question. Faith didn’t know music unless it was for the church. Her parents didn’t even have a radio. “Oh, I like everything too. I don’t really have a preference.”

“That’s cool, I like a woman who is open-minded.”

Something stirred in Faith’s stomach. Butterflies. The real reason she’d run from the only place she’d ever known. Her attraction to women. And, boy, was she finding herself attracted to Nathalie. Tall, fit, and gorgeous blue eyes. Yep, very attracted.

Instead of replying, Faith smiled shyly and finished her food. As much as she’d like to pursue this flirtatious chat with a gorgeous woman, Faith had to keep on task. With her pancakes eaten and her coffee drunk, Faith stepped off her stool. “Um… it was nice to meet you Nathalie, safe travels.”

“Wait, before you rush off. Let’s see if we can turn your cup of mud into something palatable.” Faith watched Nathalie signal to Liz. “Hi, can we have these coffees to go?”

“Sure thing.”