Down the Road

i

The clock read 5:30 as finished putting on my sneakers. "Damn it, I'm going to be late."
I rushed to grab my watch and purse. My phone buzzed, the screen flashed my friend's picture.

"You better be calling to tell me to hurry up." I said jokingly.
"Don't hate me but I completely forgot I have a date with Luke tonight."
"Sarah, this is the 5th time this month..." I groaned. "I know y'all are just in the honeymoon stage but can't you ditch him this one time?"
"I wish I could Jo, but you know how he is about dates! I promise, I promise, I promise we will go out next week okay?"
"Yes..." I sighed "You know I'll always say yes!"
"Of course, you love me! And I will make it up to you." Sarah sounded sure with a hint of relief.

We finished up the conversation and I debated what to do. The weather had warmed up a bit from the stormy winter cold front. "I'll go for a walk." I told cupcake as I threw on my scarf and left the house. I walked up the driveway as a gust of wind blew against me. I often go on walks to clear my mind and I needed it. This week has been anything but peaceful.

My mom had me fly down to get my sister, Jess, from her friend's vacation home in Florida. She went down to go to Disney for her senior year trip but her friend fell and broke her leg. Poor girl, and Jess was a bit traumatized afterwards. I flew down and we spent a day hanging out in Orlando before we flew back. It was nice to spend a couple of days with her.

College has been pretty busy - finals, work, and all of the things in between. I have only a couple of years left in my psychology degree, thank god. Coming into university I thought I would make some good friends but it has been a task for sure. I don't feel confident enough to join conversations and when I do it goes, well, terrible. Anyways, enough about college, you can tell it isn't my favorite thing.

I turned my music in my headphones to a reasonable volume and began walking towards the next street. The sun began to set as I reached about thirty minutes into my walk, I had made a few laps around the block and began my last one. Something in me said to take a road I had never walked, only drove. I live in a nicer neighborhood in a house that my grandma left me last year before she passed. We shared a unique bond ever since I was little. I could say it was because I was the first grandkid but the truth was, we lived very similar lives. Knowing my mom lived well off now that she had a big production company, she knew I would need a home sooner than anyone. Of course that came with cupcake, her 7 year old beagle.

I got to know most of my neighbors while spending most of my summers and breaks with her. Really, it has been a home more than any other place I can remember. It doesn't feel the same without my gran but I still can feel her warmth while staying there.

As I walked down the new road, a nice house with a wrap around porch and light blue shutters came into view. It was a beautiful house and as I walked closer I could see a gold chandler through the big window on the right of the house. I kept walking but as I passed by I could see a tall older man with peppery hair and a nicely shaven beard go out to get something. He was dressed in all white and had gold accessories. We made eye contact, he waved and gave a warm smile my way. I smiled back and continued to walk down the road. There were many other pretty houses on that street but none as beautiful as the house with blue shutters.

As I got to my driveway I turned my music off and looked around my bag for my keys. I found them and unlocked the door to see little cupcake waiting for me. She did a little jumpy trot and followed me to the living room. "I can tell you missed me, Cupcake." I giggled.

I've been watching a romance show recently and I find myself longing for something new after watching each episode. I haven't had much luck in the dating field. I love to sit and listen to a man talk about his passions and life, but I also love having a conversation. Many of the dates I have been on wind up being boring with nothing but one sided information that completely avoids my attention. I used to believe there was something wrong with me but now I believe it was never anything wrong. I just think dating is harder now that I live alone and there is more at risk.

I decided to just do some work I missed and put a background show on. I work at a diner on the edge of town, we mostly get older customers but I don't complain. I get sweet people that come through, not to mention the generous tips. I often work on the weekends and in the mornings. Things are very chill in the morning and I find myself having amazing conversations with all types of people. There have been business men, grandparents, friend groups, first dates, rich people, poor people. In this town, not many care about class.

I finished up one of the big assignments I had for my sociology class and turned on criminal minds. I don't necessarily understand why I choose to watch this show, it brings out the worst paranoia you could imagine while living alone.

After watching 2 episodes I heated up some left over pasta. As I took my first bite my phone lit up and showed my mother's picture.

"Hi Mom!"
"Hey Jo, what are you up to?"
I caught her up on my night and everything I was supposed to do with Sarah, my friend that cancelled.
"I'm not angry with her, I understand but I'm always pretty alone and I never get to see her anymore. She's been with him for five months now, I would have thought the honeymoon phase would have ended you know?"
"Yeah honey I understand, it is really frustrating. Hey I have some leftover Cookies, do you want any?"
"Sure mom, I'll take some. Are they snickerdoodle?"
"Of course, from Mac's bakery! She brought them as a gift today at work."
"What a sweet person, I miss her a lot! I haven't seen Tyler in forever either."
"Yeah I miss her too! She told me today Tyler has a new girlfriend but the family all says she isn't you."
"I bet, I miss all of them! I hope that works out for him though. He is so sweet but we were just not compatible like that."
"I could definitely tell something like that had gone on. It didn't seem like a bad break up so I just thought maybe you each wanted something else."
"Yes, it was exactly like that honestly. So are you headed this way?"
"Yeah I left a few minutes ago, I'll be there in about 15 minutes!"
"Alright, see you when you get here."

I ended the call and straightened up my living room and kitchen a bit before she arrived. As I was fluffing the pillows I suddenly felt a bit anxious. Almost like someone was watching me. What did I tell you? Criminal Minds is such a bad choice for me, but I'm definitely addicted. The feeling soon went away before my mom pulled into my driveway. I let my mom in and locked the door behind her.

"It looks nice in here! I'm loving the Christmas decor, a bit hasty though I would say." My mom smiled.
"It is never too early for Christmas decorations Mom. I put them up yesterday when I was bored." We chatted for what felt like hours and then she eventually left with a hug and a kiss.

I ran a hot bath and took a relaxing night for myself. I made sure my security system was set and Cupcake was ready for the night. Then I turned out the lights and went to bed.

I sat in a field with my head on his shoulder. He was humming a beautiful tune that I have never heard before. I felt at peace and I could feel my heart racing a bit from the nervousness that comes with love.
"Look at me darling." His deep but gentle voice spoke, almost like a song. I looked up to meet his eyes, the familiar older man looked back. His peppery hair and beard, gentle smile, and kind eyes. He leaned into kiss me and it was like nothing I've ever felt before. Fireworks but brighter, passion but stronger, and the feeling in my heart was purely desire. He kissed me with such wisdom and as each kiss grew stronger, I melted into his arms. The kisses lowered and lowered until he was at my collar bone.
"Do you want me to stop?" He asked, looking up at me with desperation and care.
"No, don't stop." I softly whimpered. He smiled and took off my embroidered top. He kissed me again but this time it was angrily. Biting my lip, he ripped off my bra with his hands. He began removing my jean shorts while still having his lips on mine.

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I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I'm excited to start this new book as I have really been getting into writing and coming up with stories recently.
If you have any thoughts or theories about who this man is or Josie feel free to comment!!