Untangling Strings

Chapter Eleven

When I arrived at the B&B, Olive was in the front yard checking out the plants. "There you are. I thought you got lost."

I smiled, "Yeah, I think I wandered too far. I'll get in."

What the hell is wrong with me? I can't help smiling since I came back. I took a shower and sat with my feet up on the couch as I leaned my head against the lower part of the half-door sized window and hugged my knees. I never felt this good.

I slowly opened my eyes. Did I just fall asleep? The image of the spring and tall trees flashed to me. I noticed the running shoes I left in the corner of the room which gave a confirmation that it was not a dream. Something good happened in my reality. I reached for my phone which had been turned off since last night. Shall I turn it on or not? Turn on or not? Maybe not. It's already lunch and I am starving. The run and trek had taken too much of my energy.

I went downstairs and wondered where everyone was. The place is so quiet, which made me question if Olive was able to prepare some food or did she treated all the guests outside and I was left because I knocked myself out. As I was nearing the kitchen, I smelled something good.

"Hey, that –" I was expecting to see Olive, but a tall man with broad shoulders wearing an apron was holding a casserole out of the oven, and his eyes just caught my presence. "Oh! I am sorry, I thought Olive's here."

"It's alright." His face drew a pleasant smile, and he placed the casserole on the kitchen island, walked towards me and extended his hand, "Piece."

I was a dumb who has a slow processing mind and murmured, "Peace?"

"Yeah," his hand is still waiting to be shaken.

I shook his hand, "Hope."

"Ha-ha! So that explains your unreadable facial expression. I hate to break it to you but it's P-I-E not P-E-A, with a C-E of course."

"Oh. Gosh. I'm sorry."

"It's nothing. C'mon, you hungry?"

"Starving, actually."

He grabbed a plate and fork, "Do you mind eating here?" he said while pointing to the kitchen island.

"No, not at all." I let myself sit on the barstool, "Is this tater tots?"

"Yeah," he scooped me some and placed it on my plate.

I immediately took a bite to calm my tummy from the extreme rage of hunger. "This is actually good," I smiled at him, but not showing off my teeth.

"Thanks." He took a bite himself. "Oh, I almost forgot," He reached for a box, is that a cake? I can't help myself but think about food. "Aunt Olive just bought this. Chocolate cake. Are you part of the population that says no to a chocolate cake?"

"Definitely not."

"Here you go," as he gave a slice.

So... A lunch meal that lasted for more than an hour with a lot of exchanged stories. Piece Dupont is Olive's nephew, who moved to Greenwoods six years ago. His parents separated when he was nine. Since then, he always spent his vacation days here where his mom moved back. And that explains why he speaks fluently without a trace of having French blood.

"Was it a choice between who the son wanted to live with? The reason why you moved here."

"No," he smirked –the kind that's hurt. "My dad got sick, not long after he passed away. So I decided to move here permanently, with my mom."

"Sorry. I..." you messed up talking to a stranger, Hope. That is what you want to say.

"C'mon, it's alright. You keep on saying the word sorry. You know, I never thought twice of moving here. Aunt Olive is like a second mom to me. This is a good place, far away from city noises. And Alcott's has always been home to us."

"Yeah, city life sucks." It's all coming back to me –life at Phillis, Trudy, Barbara, and losing my job.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Not really. Old Pines' my hometown. I left for Phillis after graduating. I thought I'll land a good job there and chase 'the dream'."

"And it didn't turn that way for you?"

"Exactly. That's why I'm here. I ran away from home to clear my mind."

"Well, on a positive note, you came to the right place," his lips drew a perfectly curved line.

I caught myself staring at his hazel brown eyes and long lashes. Cut it out, Hope! For goodness sake. Damn it! He caught my eyes. I looked away, "Ummm, thanks for the meal. It was good, really. I gotta head back to my room."

"What do you want for dinner?"

"Wha- what?"

"My requests are often granted by Aunt Olive. I can make some on your behalf."

"Oh, no. It's fine. I'm not picky on food."

Olive arrived carrying a bunch of fresh flowers, "Well, hello to you. So, I suppose you two have already met?" There goes her warm smile again. Why does this family have the warmest perfect smile? I am envious.

"I saved some tater tot casserole for you," Piece responded, and he walked towards Olive and gave her a hand.

"Did you just serve a tater tot casserole for lunch? I told you to cook something good."

"It is good, c'mon, try it."

I stood up, "Yeah, it is. I enjoyed the meal, thanks again. I'll leave you two."

"Have a good afternoon rest, Hope."

"Thanks, Olive."