Page 10 of This Kind of Forever

I don’t miss the concern that flits across Clara’s face. She’s been concerned since I showed up back in town. But she thankfully doesn’t let the expression linger for very long before she smiles. “Mom will probably send me home with leftovers. You can have them later.”

“Thank you.” I blow her a kiss. “You’re the best.”

Clara slides her shoes on and grabs her purse, then she’s out the door. I find a pair of pajama shorts and an old t-shirt to change into. The design is faded, but I know it’s the one I stole from Gabe before I left. I purposefully ignore that fact as I slip it over my head.

Once I’m comfortable, I take Clara’s place on the couch, my temporary bed. Turning the TV on, I let it play a random nineties sitcom as I get lost in my head. Now that I have a job locked down, it’s time for me to figure out a more permanent living arrangement. One that doesn’t include springs poking me in the back when I’m trying to sleep.

A plan.I need a plan.

FIVE

HALLIE

As it turns out,Clara isn’t too happy about these new aspirations of mine, and she isn’t afraid to let me know. Maybe it was a mistake to bring the topic up while she’s driving.

“Hallie Foster, you arenotmoving out. I told you to stay as long as you need to get on your feet!”

I sigh. “And I love you for that, but I can’t keep sleeping on your couch, Clara.” Though where Iwillsleep is still up for debate. The apartment hunt has been slow going.

She huffs, adjusting her hands on the steering wheel. “You were perfectly content there a few days ago.”

“And thensomeonedeclared a wallow-free zone. You can’t have it both ways.”

That isn’t why I need to leave, though. Truthfully, living with Clara has been great. But with each day that passes, it gets harder and harder to keep the dumpster fire that is my life from setting hers ablaze. She doesn’t need my problems.

She turns to me. “That was supposed to be your sign to stop wallowing.”

“Hey, eyes on the road!” I chastise.

Clara huffs again as she turns back toward the windshield, navigating down the long road that connects the more rural parts of the island to the town proper. “All I’m saying is my couch will be lonely without you.”

I laugh. “Oh, I’m sure, but my back will thank me.”

A couple weeks of sleeping in Clara’s living room has really done a number on my spine. She originally offered to share her bed with me, but after years of sleepovers, I’ve learned that isn’t conducive to a good night’s rest. She gets clingy in her sleep, and I need my space.

She pouts. “Do you really have to leave me again?”

Behind her teasing tone, I can sense some truth to her words. Some long-buried hurt. Clara has always supported me, but I know she’s been lonely staying here without me. She’s always had other friends, but most of them have either moved away or are at different stages in their lives.

“I’m notleaving,” I assure her. “I just physically cannot keep sleeping in your living room.”

“What if I get rid of my couch and buy you a king-sized bed?”

“Don’t you dare!”

She nods. “I would totally do it, you know.”

With another laugh, I shake my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

As Clara guides her car through the familiar gate at the end of the driveway, my nerves come back in full force. I’ve managed to avoid the infamous Sunday brunch with the Bowmans since I’ve been back on the island, but Maggie cornered me at the gallery two days ago and strong-armed me into attendance.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. It’s been a long time since we’ve all been together, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss it. But seeing Gabe the other day was hard enough. I’m not sure if I’m ready to spend a whole meal with him.

For ten years, my tactic has been avoidance. I thought about reaching out so many times, but then another day or week or month would pass and I’d make myself sick thinking of the hate I was sure I would see in his eyes.

Coming back here means confronting the mess I left in my wake. The only problem is, I’m not sure how to fix it.

Clara parks, and we hop out of the car. The large farmhouse is just as I remember, with its red brick and the porch that wraps around. The newest addition is a sign in the lawn that reads,Haven House Bed-and-Breakfast, established in 2021.