2

Forrest

My teeth sank into the freshly baked bagel. Its surface was perfectly crispy and its interior warm and fluffy. Even though the bagel was delicious, I regretted not listening to the baker's recommendation to try the pumpkin spice cream cheese. The bagel was not dry, by any means, but I couldn't help but think it might have been more enjoyable with a delicious spread.

But what kind of man puts pumpkin spice on his bagel?

Not me.

My contractor pushed open the front door of my anticipated sports bar with a genuine smile stretched across his face. "Hey there, Mr. Forrest!" His cheerful tone gave me hope that he had some positive news to share. "I'm Mike," he introduced himself, extending his hand to me.

My expectations were low when it came to contractors, based on past experiences with gruff and unkempt workers. But as I studied Mike, I was taken aback by his appearance. He wore a crisp shirt neatly tucked into clean pants. It was a stark contrast to anything I had encountered before.

"Nice to finally meet you, man," I said. "How are we looking?"

"There are a few delays with permitting. We should be ready to start renovating by the end of October." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting around nervously as he spoke.

It wasn't exactly the news I was hoping for.

"Why so long from now?" I demanded, my foot tapping on the floor.

"It's up to the mayor."

"She already approved my plans," I reminded him. "We are waiting for one more approval. It won't take a month. I'm thinking a week, two weeks tops."

"You got it, boss," Mike said without any further comment, but I didn't have a good feeling about it.

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city, I was cautioned that small-town life operated at a more relaxed pace. My eagerness to dive into work clashed with the laid-back atmosphere, and I found myself struggling to adjust.

"Mike, can I ask you something?" I turned to the only other man I had encountered in the small town.

"Sure, Mr. Forrest."

"Do you think a sports bar will thrive here?"

Mike shrugged. "I think anything can thrive here with the right person running it, and you seem like a good fellow. If people take a liking to you, they'll come to your bar. It's as easy as that."

Winning people over had never been my forte. Football season was in full swing, so at least I had that going for me.

"Do you play any sports?" I asked.

"I can't say that I do," he shook his head.

"What about any local sports teams here in Cider Falls?" I asked. "Recreational sports?"

"No, why would we?" I waited for Mike's laughter, hoping he would say he was only joking, but his expression stayed solemn. He was serious.

A town with no sports?

I gazed at him, astonished. Had I traveled to another dimension? It was as if Mike belonged to a world where athletic pursuits weren't revered and celebrated. My mind raced with questions, but I kept my mouth shut.

The red ‘Closed for Renovations' sign swung relentlessly against the heavy front door. With each thud, the sound echoed through the space as if it were mocking me.

"I have some errands to run," I muttered to Mike before I walked out. The initial excitement that surged through me when I signed the lease had dissolved into a bitter mixture of frustration and disappointment. I was faced with a daunting amount of work that I needed to tackle, but unfortunately, I couldn't even get started.

∞∞∞

The brick town hall was tucked between the police department and fire station, its modest size making it appear almost insignificant.

As I entered the building, a woman with graying hair greeted me from behind the closest desk. "Can I help you?" she asked, appearing shocked by my presence.

"I need to speak with the mayor," I said.

"She's not in today," she informed me, vigorously tapping her pen against her desk.

"Isn't that convenient?" I muttered.

"If you'll just give me your name and phone number, I can pass along your message to her," she continued.

Suddenly, a lightning bolt sensation returned to my temple. I instinctively braced my forehead, but the throbbing pain only intensified. It felt like I was being repeatedly hit by a hammer. Disoriented, I stumbled out of the building without saying another word. By the time I collapsed into the driver's seat of my truck, the intense pain had weakened.

"The hell was that?" I whispered to myself as I started the engine. As I cruised down the winding road towards the outskirts of town, my stomach grumbled at the thought of the empty refrigerator waiting for me in my rental cabin. A single bagel would only sustain me for so long. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I veered off course and headed towards the local market.

With a swoosh, the automatic glass doors glided open as I strolled into the bustling store. Rows of neatly arranged fruits and vegetables greeted me, each one more visually appealing than the last. As I made my way through the colorful aisles, it seemed as though every eye in the place was fixed on me. Even with a confident stride, I felt self-conscious under the intense gazes of the women around me. My skin tingled with flattery, making me question my own perceptions of my appearance.

Were they checking me out?

While I glanced around, distracted by the blatant stares, I ran smacked dab into a center aisle display. Knocking down a few items, I rushed to pick them up, but the same lightning bolt of pain returned to my temples.

"I must be getting a migraine," I said under my breath as I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my forehead. I stumbled over to the next aisle with half-shut eyes before I finally bolted out of the store empty-handed. As soon as I reached my truck, I collapsed into the seat. I gulped in fresh air, grateful for the relief that had washed over me.

But I still didn't have any groceries. With no other options in the small town, I pulled into the empty drive-through of the only fast-food joint. The thought of stepping inside the establishment and risking another debilitating headache was enough to keep me in my truck, even if it meant eating alone in its cramped space.

As I finished the last greasy bite of my burger, I wiped my hands on a napkin and started my truck. The familiar jingle of keys knocking against the ignition filled the silence as I pulled out of the parking lot. My rental cabin was nestled deep in the woods, a secluded haven away from the town.

As I drove out of town, the vibrant autumn hues of the maple trees created a mesmerizing blur as they whisked past me along the winding road. The scent of pine and earth wafted in from the slight crack in my window, filling me with a sense of calm as I drove to my destination. Cider Falls was a charming town, but my first day didn't go as expected. To fit in with the locals, it seemed that I had to embrace their unhurried lifestyle.

My bar would have to wait.