Three

“When was the last time you actually went out of the house?” Luke asked. His voice rang clear from the speaker of my phone.

“It’s only been four days since you’ve abandoned me in this strange town,” I replied evasively. “And I had been outside the house. I cleaned the car yesterday and ran errands to grab some new bed sheets and pillows… Don’t comment on the last part. I know how it sounds.”

I heard muffled chuckles on the other end of the phone. “Well, well. Look who’s doing normal stuff; picking out a bed sheet and pillows and washing cars.”

“Also, I forgot to ask. Why the hell are you so famous in this town? I thought moving in and pretending to be your relative would make me just another fly in the wall.” I pressed, quickly changing the subject.

“Okay. Well, I’m quite charming when I was young… Anyway, as I’ve said before, my grandmother had lived there long and got acquainted with the locals. I spent most of my childhood there as well. However, once the younger generation graduated, they mostly moved to the city. Or, like my family and me, their parents got jobs in the city. Those who stayed had a good reason why.”

“So, in a nutshell, you were a rowdy child,” I stated.

“Yes. I had made a mess at one of the town’s festivals in sixth grade. They weren’t entertained when my friends and I wrecked an annual baking contest. No one got to taste the winning cake for that year.” He let out a stifled laugh.

I laughed at the mental picture. “Now, how would anyone forget such a lasting impression?”

After our brief chat on my current situation, Luke and I talked about work. Since I was no longer at the headquarters, I trusted him with the task of shouldering some of my burden at the office. It wasn’t my first call, but I hadn’t hired Luke for his reckless past. He had outgrown the trait tenfold, and as my personal assistant, he was obliged to help me out while I solved a few hiccups in my personal life. Actually, at the moment, it wasn’t a small hiccup. If it were, I wouldn’t drive miles away from home and move to a small town, worrying about people recognizing me.

“So, when would those cable men arrive to fix my internet problem so I could start working again?” I asked after we had covered most of the transaction from when I was gone.

“As I’ve said, don’t blame me when you start complaining about choosing to live there,” he stated dryly, not a hint of humor in his voice.

I quickly laughed it off before ending the conversation with a hasty “call you later.”

It was the longest conversation I had with any human being in the past three days since I'd moved in. The most I’d receive when I got out for groceries were “Hi” and “Thank you.” By now, my neighbors had already made an impression that I was probably a boring, lazy bastard.

After the call, I put down my phone on the kitchen counter and headed toward the refrigerator to make breakfast. The chiller hummed in the background as cold air greeted me. I studied the almost empty food supply since my last grocery run, and I hadn’t considered how many days' worth of food I should buy. Back home, everything was well-stocked by the people who tended the apartment while I was at work.

With a discontented sigh, I closed the fridge. I picked up the car key and my phone. I took one of the jackets I had lying around by the couch before getting out of the house.

The hair on my arm instantly stood due to the autumn weather. Now that I was up north, winter would be around earlier than I was used to. I quickly jumped into my truck, started it, and drove to get some food.

On the drive downtown, it was inevitable not to pass by the bakeshop, and every time I did, my eyes would wander in that direction. I had decided it was wise not to go back. For one, she knew Luke, which was the greatest link I had to who I was. Second, she was trouble, both literally and emotionally, for me.

I couldn’t seem to look away from her. She was pretty and slightly hot, with her dark hair tied back, revealing her youthful features. Those deep almond eyes that seemed to stare at you like she knew what you were thinking could make any man succumb in sweet surrender. Even those lips, twitching up into a smile, made me wonder how soft they would feel when I kissed her.

I heard a car honking behind me, kicking me out of my daydream. I looked up and saw the green traffic light in front of me. Quickly, I changed to first gear and hit the gas pedal, making my old truck cough in protest. With my free hand, I rubbed my face in annoyance.

Relief washed over me when I got to Carol’s diner without daydreaming again.

I parked the truck and then headed inside. The diner had a handful of customers, and I smiled at my company this morning. I took the same booth Luke, and I once sat in.

“Hi, Kyle. I’m glad you got to visit again. For breakfast, I reckon?” I looked up at the same woman who hugged Luke last time.

“Yes. I was supposed to whip something up but had nothing in my fridge,” I replied with a weak smile.

“Oh! Don’t be shy and come by anytime, dear. Anyone related to the Bailey’s is family.” She cooed lovingly as she placed a cup in front of me. It was then that I noticed she was holding a pot filled with coffee. “Have a glass while you wait for your food. What would you like this morning? We could whip up anything you like,” she asked after filling my cup.

“Could I have some scrambled eggs and ham with some toast on the side, please?” I asked.

“Sure. No problem. I’ll be back with those in a few minutes.” She nodded and smiled.

“Ah… Could I ask for some sugar for the coffee?”

“Got it. I’ll have it right over after I tally up your order.”

When Carol came back with a canister filled with sugar, she also brought me a glass of water. She didn’t stand idly and ask questions like how she bombarded Luke the last time. Rather, she quickly headed back to attend to the other customers who were about to check out after she served my meal and told me to enjoy the food. While I chewed my food, I watched their short exchange.

Once I finished, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket, pulling me out of my morning daze. I read the caller ID. flashing on my phone’s screen. I clicked the answer button and placed it on my ear without hesitation.

“You wouldn’t believe what I’m doing right now. Which is an odd question since I was not doing anything? Could you imagine that?” I informed smugly.

“Do you want a round of applause for it?” Luke asked in mock humor though I knew he was smiling.

“Don’t be a spoilsport. I will give you paid vacation after all this mess is done.”

“I will take you up on that offer.”

I laughed at the gravity of his voice. “So I presume you didn’t call me again for another round of chit-chat?”

“Right. I talked to the lawyer and emailed you the papers. Also, the Siren came by here a few minutes ago… She looked like hell.” I heard him hiss on the other end of the phone.

“Good. I would get right on it and read those through,” I replied. The enthusiasm in my voice was gone.

“Is this a great time to call her any names?” His voice didn’t have an ounce of playfulness in it.

“Sure. But from your tone, you are holding back on me. What did she do?” My eyebrow creased in worry.

“Don’t worry. She was all bark, and I wouldn’t even flinch if that witch yelled at me. It was nice seeing her get escorted out by security, though,” he stated, although his voice was strained.

“She’s coming back there, isn’t she?” I inquired, understanding the situation.

“She doesn’t know I’m hiding you away, so I’m good for now. Oh! Your aunt called. Do I tell her or…?”

“No. I’ll be the one to tell them.”

“Okay. Got it.”

“Thanks, Luke.”

“It’s my job. But anytime, Boss.”

After the call, I paid for my meal, and I awkwardly asked Ms. Carol if I could park my car by the diner while I walked toward the market, which was a good walking distance from where I was. She automatically gave me her approval, and I thanked her profusely before I bid her goodbye and headed for the door.

The farmer’s fresh market was located a few blocks from the diner and could easily be located by the loud chatter of people who were calling in customers and the busy cars passing by the road. I had initially wanted to come here on my last food run. However, I saw a sign stating that it was only available on Tuesdays. Hence, I’d gone to a family-owned store.

Once I reached the main entrance, I stood by and watched in awe at the new environment. Vendors were lined up, selling different kinds of goods from vegetables to poultry and fish. Some even sold merchandise.

I took a deep breath and walked on toward the stalls, studying the barely presentable display placed on the convertible tables. After passing by three stalls of food that I didn’t need, I reached a stall that sold a variety of bread and jam. I instantly remembered the toaster I had brought with me that was lying around the kitchen and approached the stall to buy a few for breakfast or dinner later.

The vendor, a woman in her late fifties, greeted me with a warm smile. I greeted her back out of courtesy and asked for one of each kind of bread she was selling. For a moment, she was stunned before she smiled shyly.

While placing my order in a bag, she asked, “Are you having a party this afternoon?”

“No. Not really,” I replied, not sure why she asked.

“I see. Well, would you like to buy some jam to go along with it? It would make the bread tastier.” She offered, gesturing her hand to a few bottles lined up on the front right side of her table.

I studied the bottles and picked one up, reading the label. It was a homemade strawberry jam. With a smile, I gave the lady the bottle, which she placed in a separate bag. She then told me the total cost, and I handed her the payment.

“Thank you, dear. I hope you’ll enjoy them.” She beamed as I got the bags from her.

“Thank you too,” I said with a stiff wave, holding the bag of bread and jam in one hand.

As I turned away from her, I swayed backward as I felt something collide with my leg. When I looked down, I saw a little boy rubbing his face in discomfort.

“Hey there, little guy. Are you okay?” I asked, quickly kneeling as he continued to cover his face with both of his hands.

The little boy looked at me while I placed a hand on his shoulder, giving me a good look at his chubby face. He had light brown hair that fell just above his eyebrow, covering a bit of his dark brown eyes that were scrutinizing me.

In reply to my question, he gave me a small nod, bobbing his tiny head.

I smiled at him in apology and ruffled his hair before standing up. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Once I was up, the little boy continued walking toward the bread stall I came from, finally speaking aloud.

“Nan! Can I have some bread, please?” His high-pitched voice made me turn and watch the exchange.

The lady who sold me the bread lovingly looked down at the boy before picking one of the bread and going out of her booth.

“Here, my dear. Where is your mother?” she asked as she gave him the bread and picked him up when he reached his hands toward her.

He quickly took a bite of the bread, disregarding the lady’s question.

Before she could ask again, a familiar voice called from behind me, taking my attention away from the little guy. Running in my direction, wearing a casual shirt and jeans with her hair tied in a ponytail was Lenna, looking even more beautiful than the last time I saw her.

“Gavin. Don’t run off like that!” She scolded. Her attention was completely on the boy.

“Don’t worry, Lenna. He didn’t do anything… Well, he did bump into one of my lovely customers,” the lady defended on the boy’s behalf and nodded in my direction, finally making her notice me.

Lenna’s eyes fluttered in surprise before she gave me a weak smile in greeting. “Kyle, hi. I’m sorry about what Gavin did,” she said, looking apologetic.

“No worries. The little guy only knocked me off with his unbelievable force. I didn’t know that he had super strength or something,” I replied, looking toward Gavin who gazed at me in fear. But after saying those words, I got a cheeky grin from him, which gave my heart a slight jostle.

I winked secretly at the little guy as Lenna took him from the lady’s arms, thanking her. She then noticed the bread he was holding and rustled in her pocket to pay for it.

“Don’t worry about it, Lenna. It was from the pile of free samples,” the lady stated, pushing her hand back while Lenna held out the money.

“Oh, okay. I’m sorry for the trouble, Mrs. Lois. Thank you again.” She put the money back in her pocket while balancing Gavin on her hip.

The hand she used to hold Gavin shook a little, and out of reflex, I placed a hand on the boy’s back to settle him. Lenna looked up at me in surprise from the sudden proximity.

“Ah… Uhm… Thank you,” Lenna said after placing both hands to hold her son.

“No problem,” I said and stepped back. “Do you need…” I was about to ask but trailed off when Gavin squirmed underneath his mother’s hold.

Lenna had no choice but to put Gavin down, who quickly ran away from her. She was about to scold him but closed her mouth once she recognized someone behind me. Out of curiosity, I found an old man decked in a rugged style, carrying Gavin in his arms. He wore mostly denim, leather, and a white shirt underneath.

I couldn’t pinpoint how he was related to Lenna because they looked nothing alike.

“Gabe, are you picking up something for the boys tonight?” Lenna asked as she walked toward him.

Looking at their exchange, I decided it was time to head back. Just as I was about to leave, Lenna stopped midway and looked back at me.

“Oh! Thank you again, Kyle,” she said with a stiff wave.

I automatically raised my hand to mirror her actions while my eyes hastily darted at her ring finger and found no accessory there. For no particular reason, my chest felt lighter.

The old man who she called Gabe glanced in my direction with curiosity. He regarded me for a moment before he patted Gavin’s cheek to get his attention. When Lenna reached them, the man balanced Gavin on his hip to give her a quick hug.

Seeing that, I turned away from the three and started walking back toward my car, each stride seeming heavy and dragging. I noted the two bags I held, but the weight wasn’t physical.

Once I was a block away from the market and halfway back already, I stopped and glanced back in the direction I came from. There was a feeling of gut-wrenching jealousy from what I’d witnessed, but not with Lenna and the man. It was the relationship between the three.

Times like these weren’t strange to me as I’d lost both my parents in an accident when I was nine. And every time I saw families walking by, I got this feeling in my stomach but not as intense as I was feeling now.

The moment I watched their exchange, I realized I badly wanted something of such an extent in my life.

I had always thought I would have something close to it with her, my wife.

Slowly, the image crept into my head. She cheated and betrayed me. Everything felt like a dream—an awful dream.