Chapter 21

On Friday, Peach had asked her to wait for dinner because he wanted to grill burgers. He said he would make up the meat and that she didn't need to do anything. His request surprised her, but she didn't argue with him.

Earlier in the day, she went to the grocery store, which wasn't too far away, and put in an application. It was a nice enough store and close enough to walk. Since moving here, she hadn't been out much other than to the store to buy some cookies. This time, she really looked around, taking in the area. There weren't a lot of trees, at least not like Georgia. The driveways were out front, and some people had short fences. Most of the houses were pale gray or earth-tone colors. There weren't any bright houses, just a sea of browns.

For a moment, she thought she’d made a wrong turn, and panic set in. She hurried to the street corner and saw she was on the correct road but must have gone the wrong way out of the store.

Luckily she hadn’t walked far, and she retraced her steps. She was standing out front of the place when she heard someone call her name. She turned and Ava was right there, along with another woman who was very pregnant.

“Hey, you look lost.”

Haisley rolled her eyes. "I turned out the wrong way, so I'm doubling back and trying to make sure I go the correct way."

“Ah, we can drive you home. This is Mel. Mel, Haisley.”

"Hey, it's nice to meet you. You have such a cute baby bump. I remember that stage. Now I'm a whale."

Ava laughed. “Stop it. You aren’t a whale. It looks like you’re trying to smuggle a basketball out of the store.”

Mel threw back her head, laughing. “Could you imagine?”

“We just need to pop in to buy some snacks for tomorrow,” Ava said.

Panic washed over Haisley. “Oh, I guess I should bring something.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Mel said.

Ava squeezed her shoulder. “Yeah, you’re the new one. We’re celebrating that you’re here.”

She still felt weird. Her grandmother always used to say, “Don’t arrive empty-handed,” but that’s all she had. Maybe she could make a cake. But she wasn’t sure if Peach had ingredients.

“We’re all excited to see your reaction to the beach,” Mel said. “People around here get jaded. They stop going and no longer see the wonder. I want to see what you think the first time you see the ocean.”

Haisley blushed. “I’ve never seen a lot of stuff. I know I sound like a hick.”

"No, you don't," Mel said. "There are so many military people from all over the world. You sound like you're from the South, but that doesn't mean you're a hick."

“I just don’t know much. I mean, I know I’m young.”

“How old are you?” Ava asked.

“Twenty-three.”

Ava shook her head. “You’re not too young. For a moment, I was thinking closer to eighteen.”

Haisley’s eyebrows shot up. “Eighteen?”

“Well, you have great skin. Even around your eyes is tight. I mean look at me. I’m getting up there, and you can see the beginnings of the crow's feet that will be attacking my face soon.”

“Oh my God, Ava. Your skin looks great. You’re not even thirty yet.”

Ava snorted. “This year. But I wouldn’t want to go back to my early twenties.” A shudder ripped through Ava.

Haisley lifted her eyebrows. “Why?”

“An abusive ex. He was mean. I finally broke away and ran from Florida. I came out here and got lucky meeting Wild.”

“Oh.” Haisley didn’t know what to say. She still felt weird about everything that happened. Rory knew what happened. Did they all know what she’d been through?

Ava raised an eyebrow, and Mel bumped her shoulder. "Everything okay?" Mel asked.

Haisley screwed her lips up to the side. “Do all abused women from the southeast come out here to California?”

Both Ava and Haisley laughed, and Ava draped her arm over Haisley's shoulder. "It might seem that way. But we've got you now. You're a survivor, not a victim."

“Is there a difference?” Haisley asked.

“Yeah, there is,” Mel said.

"I think we have everything we need in the cart," Ava said. "How about we check out? Then, we can drop you off at your place."

Haisley nodded. “It was nice running into you. I haven’t had anyone to talk to.”

"Well, I'm free next week," Mel said. "I could stop by, and we can talk babies. I'm due soon, and I decided to take a six-month leave from work, starting yesterday, so I can get a few last-minute things done and rest before the baby comes."

“Oh, sure. That would be great.” Haisley tried not to act too excited. She didn’t want to scare Mel off.

“I’m jealous,” Ava said.

“Hey, didn’t you just get your job?” Mel asked.

Ava nodded. "I did. I love it. I'm glad I'm no longer relying on money from taking care of other people's children. I didn't mind the work, but they're getting older, and the parents feel that they can leave them home alone."

“What do you do for work?” Haisley asked.

“I do bookkeeping. It’s flexible. I usually work while the kids are at school. This summer, I’m going to have to stay up late or wake up early and get some work accomplished while they are in bed or when they watch a movie. It’s going to be different, but I’m glad to be earning money.”

Haisley understood what Ava meant. She missed having money that she didn't have to beg for. Maybe she could do bookkeeping. She didn't know what that entailed. Really, she didn't know much. Maybe moving to California would open new opportunities for her, ones she never knew existed.