Page 9 of Any Second Now (Fort Collins Blizzard Hockey #2)
An hour later I leave the store with supplies to set up a chicken run. When I pull back into the campsite, Elizabeth is sitting out under their RV awning with her husband and dog. I wave and park my car.
“Hi, Raleigh,” Elizabeth calls.
“Hey.” I walk their way, stopping about ten feet from where they are seated. “I realize I might have sounded a bit unhinged before.”
“Do you really have a chicken in your RV? It took me a little while to process what you said, but when I did, I was like—what.”
“Yes, yes I do.” I laugh.
“Okay.” She nods, a wide smile on her face. “This is my husband, Darren. ”
“Hello,” he says, his hand resting on a black lab’s head. “This is Tuna.”
“Nice to meet you, Tuna.” I pat the happy dog’s head.
“So did you get the chicken situation sorted at the store?” Elizabeth asks.
“Yeah, kind of. I got some supplies so I can care for her while I look for her real home, assuming she came from someone. I’m going to set up a little enclosed run outside so she doesn’t poop all over my RV.”
“That’s a good idea. Need any help?” Elizabeth stands and glances at the RV. “We used to have chickens in our backyard in Ohio. So I know a thing or two about them. Plus I’d really like to meet your chicken.”
“Megghen.”
“Megan?”
“No, it’s Megg-hen.”
“Your chicken’s name is Megg-hen?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect.”
“And I’d love the help.” I shrug. “I don’t know a thing about chickens.”
“Let’s do it.” Elizabeth hands her coffee mug to her husband.
This is weird, but why not? I have literally no plans today until meeting up with Atticus later tonight, and I could use some company. She follows me back to the Pink Palace.
“I talked to a guy at the farm store. After deeply judging me, he suggested buying all sorts of crazy stuff. We argued back and forth for a bit and finally agreed to this.” I pop open my trunk.
Laying across my flattened back seats is a foldable popup chicken run for outside, a wooden nest, a small tent, and various other items.
“Huh. Interesting. We had quite the extensive wooden chicken coup in our backyard. Still, the animals got to them all eventually.”
“That’s awful.” I shudder and picture finding Megghen ravaged by animals. I don’t think she’ll be sleeping outside—that tent will be going into the Pink Palace.
Elizabeth helps me unload.
“Where do you want it?”
“Maybe on the other side of the RV so no one can really see it? I’m not sure chicken coops are appreciated in the campsite.”
“I think you’re probably right.” Elizabeth chuckles. “So what’s your story, Raleigh? Why are you in Fort Collins in an RV campsite by yourself?” Elizabeth hands me a stake and I push it into the ground, securing one of the corners.
“Heh. That’s a long one.” I push until the stake slides into the soil. “But basically, I just got divorced—again—and needed some time off from my old life. So I bought an RV, took a sabbatical from my job, and started driving.”
“That’s very adventurous of you.” Elizabeth watches me with her hands on her hips.
“I’ve never once in my life been described as adventurous. Now people are using that word but I think they really mean crazy. Or irresponsible.”
“I think it fits.” Elizabeth looks at me, dead serious. “Wait, I mean adventurous, not crazy or irresponsible.”
“Ha.” I don’t want to talk about myself any more. Luckily, she lets it go. “How about you?”
“Well, we’re both teachers. Our daughter just graduated college and is setting up her life in New York City, so we’re spending the summer driving cross country.”
“Must be nice to do it with someone.” I didn’t mean it to come out self-pitying, but I guess it does.
I’ve learned my lesson by now. Marriage isn’t for me. Two divorces should be a serious red flag for any future relationships.
As in, I shouldn’t have any. At least not for a long while.
I don’t trust myself.
“Divorce is hard. I’m sorry you had to go through that. Twice.” Elizabeth hands me a second stake as I scoot to the next corner.
“I’m fine.” I try to chuckle light-heartedly as I lean onto the stake. “One of my best friends lives here but is out of town at the moment, so I’m just going to hang out for a while. I know a few other people.”
“Fort Collins is lovely.” Elizabeth hands me the third stake. “The people here at the campsite seem nice, but if you need anything, you let us know.”
“And I have my chicken.” The third stake slides in. I rip open the food bag and pour some into a bowl, which I place inside the cage next to a water bowl.
For my chicken.
I’m ridiculous.
“I’ll go grab Megghen.”
I enter the Pink Palace and tentatively push the door open. I’m half afraid Megghen’s going to come flying at me and attempt to frighten me to death like she did this morning.
But the trailer is dead quiet. I leave the door open and step inside.
“Chicken?”
No response. I sweep my gaze around the Pink Palace. There’s a flattened pile of cardboard where her makeshift enclosure used to be.
Shit. Okay, so she’s a bit of an escape artist. I can respect that.
“Megghen?”
There’s a pile of chicken poop in front of my closed bedroom door. Gross.
“Come here, chicken.”
There’s a boc-boc-boc noise from a little nook underneath my sink, and I squat down. She’s wedged herself in. Megghen tilts her head at me.
“Megghen. Out.” I wave my hand and she flutters all at once and out the door, scaring the shit out of me. “Crap!”
I practically leap out of the RV to grab her, but Elizabeth already has Megghen in her grasp.
“Chickens are sneaky.” Elizabeth gently pushes Megghen through the wire door of the chicken coop. “If you have her loose inside ever—which I’m not sure I’d recommend—watch out for eggs in weird places.”
“Noted.” We watch Megghen peck around at grain in her food bowl. “Thanks for your help setting this up.”
“Not a problem.” Elizabeth glances back at her RV. “Well, Darren and I are off to grab a bite to eat in town. Interested?”
I shake my head. “Thanks, but I’ll pass for now. I’m gonna hang out here.”
When Elizabeth is back in her campsite, I settle down in a flimsy captains chair—I really need to buy a better one—next to the coop and unlock my phone.
Lucy
Nice chicken coop!
January
Don’t you mean eggcellent chicken coop?
Lucy
Damn. Missed opportunity
January
Do better, babes
Lucy
I clucking will
Me
My god, is this how it’s going to be?
Lucy
Constant chicken puns? Yes
January
Abso-clucking-lutel y
I crack up and click out of my messages to my email. There’s one from my mom with a list of ways to maximize your work sabbatical and below that, an email from Jacob.
I sigh deeply.
Thankfully, he can’t show up at my door like he would do back home. So I guess I can at least read his email.
To: Raleigh Hayes
From: Jacob Ford
Hey, Raleigh. Just checking in with you. How’s your road trip? I’m sorry our last interaction was so stressful. I was shocked that you bought an RV on your own. I always pictured us doing that together.
I had another therapy session yesterday. It continues to help me uncover so many truths about myself and how I acted during our marriage.
I hope we can start fresh when you get back. As friends. Maybe one day, we can be more.
I went to see your mom. We had coffee and talked about how we both want what’s best for you.
Understandably, she’s still upset you’ve been helping me out financially.
I reassured her I will pay you back for every dollar I’ve borrowed.
I know you sent me money before you left, and I hate to ask again, but can you help me for one more month?
I have a promising second interview coming up soon.
I’d love to come see you. Just tell me where you are and I’ll be there.
Love, Jacob
I groan and drop my phone in my lap.
There is too much in that email for me to process .
I’m going to have words with my mother for spending time with Jacob.
He just looks at it as support and encouragement.
But really, when I told her Jacob and I were splitting up, I think she really thought good riddance .
She’s never wanted me to rely on a man in any way.
It was never part of her plan for me. And she certainly never wanted a man to rely on me.
I thought it was a win at the time, but I have regrets for accepting so much in the divorce.
Jacob insisted. He is so sure we’ll end up back together.
But he’s unemployed and broke and while I love him, I’m not in love with him anymore.
Maybe I’m too easy on him, but we were married for five years and it’s not like he cheated on me, or worse.
He just has some issues to work through, and I can’t be a part of it.
I press reply .
To: Jacob Ford
From: Raleigh Hayes
Jacob,
I left Connecticut because I need space from my life, including you. I’m glad you’re figuring things out in therapy. I hope you continue to make progress.
You need to secure that job. I sent you money two weeks ago—do you really need more already? I’ll transfer you some cash, but let’s try to make this the last time.
-Raleigh
I cringe as I press send. I’m such a sucker.
But the last thing I need is Jacob hunting me down in Colorado.