Unfortunately, the next three days were all rain. I didn't expect Tommy to show up, but he did, everyday with a small smile. I helped him with the animals because I didn't want him stuck in the rain all day and then we'd go inside and work on the house together. I learned all about Tommy, he was quiet but very observant to what others were doing. I would misplace my pencil but he always knew exactly where I had left it. He was extremely helpful with the carpet, he really did know what he was doing and I was grateful, I had forgotten most of Andy's lesson. My room looked like the inside of soft orange rose, it wasn't too intense, it was the perfect light airy color. With the carpet down, it really complimented the colors and really contrasted nicely with the darkness of the hallway.
In some strange way, I felt like Tommy was more comfortable around me and that's why he seemed different. The small glimpse of the confident and bold Tommy I had seen in the living room was expanded and took him over. He would make jokes and at times I swear I heard a change in his voice, but I couldn't address it. As we were waiting for the second coat of paint in the spare room to dry, Tommy and I were sitting on the floor to my bedroom and he turned to me.
"Tomorrow, we should ride."
"Yeah, it'd be nice... if the rain would ever stop."
"No rain tomorrow," he told me. "I checked."
I smiled," Well then tomorrow, we can. I'm sure Peppermint and Blossom are dying to get out."
Tommy nodded and looked out into the hall," Will you paint the bathroom?"
I nodded," Yeah, I was thinking maybe yellow and then the kitchen too."
"Both yellow?"
I chuckled" Yeah, why?"
"Lot of yellow," he smiled.
"Yeah, it'll be cute, it'll match the outside."
"I thought you liked orange?"
"I do. Yellow reminds me of my favorite poem," I told him and after a pause I recited the poem from memory.
"Sometimes I wish I could grow like sunflowers, taller and brighter than this world. They whisper to me in the depth of the night that I already glow the brightest gold. I pick my petals and I-...
"...breathe in all that I am," Tommy finished.
I turned to him genuinely surprised," You've heard it?"
He nodded," Momma used to read poetry," Tommy drew his knees up to his chest. "My favorite was by Tim Shelton."
"Do you remember it," I asked curiously.
Tommy was silent for a moment then spoke," When you feel the sun on your muddied, bloodied face you'll look back to the pit from which you escaped and know it was worth every minute."
"Wow... that's beautiful," I remarked. "I'll have to look into him."
The phone rang and I felt a fear clutch my chest, Maybe it's Savannah? I got up slowly and made it to the kitchen just before the ringing stopped.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Caroline? It's Janna, Janna Lewis. I brought you that casserole."
"Oh yeah, hello Janna."
"Honey, I'm just calling to let you know we are still on for tomorrow, despite what you might have heard. This Jamboree is going to be the biggest and best one yet."
"Tomorrow?," I clarified.
"Oh yes, darling. See you there, of course, just wanted to let you know."
"Oh, I'm not sure I can make it," I told her as Tommy peeked his way around the corner of the hall and into the kitchen.
"Can't make it? Oh honey, are you feeling ill?"
"No, I'm okay. I just planned something else to do that day."
"Well honey, I don't expect you to stay all day, maybe just pop by, I know some people dying to meet you."
I pulled the phone from my mouth and sighed, she was persistent. "Sure, I can stop by for a while."
"Wonderful. See you tomorrow, darlin'," she said and there was a click.
I hung up the phone and Tommy looked to the ground," So no ride tomorrow, huh?"
"What? No, we can still ride tomorrow. 100%. It's... just that stupid Jamboree thing. Everyone just expects me to go..."
"Most people go," Tommy shuffled his feet.
"But not you...," I paused.
He shook his head," Not me."
I decided not to push the topic," Lets go check the paint," I smiled and he followed back to the bedroom.
The day finished and all that was left was to trim up some of the carpet edges. As Tommy was heading for the door, I stopped him. "Tommy, let me drive you home," I offered. "It's still pouring." Tommy hesitated then agreed, I found out we did really live very close to one another. "Hows your mom doing? I haven't seen her in a while."
"Momma's okay," he responded getting out of the car and shutting the door before I could ask another question.
I woke up the next morning with a smile, my room was lit up with golden light reflecting off the sunny orange walls. I had slept in it had seemed, my first thought was if Tommy was here already. I got up and checked outside, he hadn't shown yet which was strange for him. Maybe he came and I didn't hear him, so he went home? I spent the morning looking at catalogs and newspapers for furniture. I loved the kitchen table and wanted to keep it, but I definitely needed a couch and a new mattress. I was getting more worried when it was noon and Tommy still hadn't shown up. Maybe I should call... but I don't have the number. I do have the phone book... maybe she's listed? What time does that Jamboree thing start? I'll just got at one and stay for like an hour or two and then come back. If Tommy's not here, I'll try to call and if no one answers... Maybe I'll stop by? Or maybe no, that seems like too much. But... I guess here it's kind of common. Look how many people just came by the house for me.
I took a shower and changed into my first pair of decent clothes since I started renovating, I chose my favorite orange dress that went down to my shins with little ruffles on he shoulder sleeves. I put on my doc martens and locked up the house, driving into town, I was almost nervous, it got a little weirder when I saw all of the people. I didn't even know so many people lived in Baxter...
There had to be over 1,000 people roaming the downtown area of Baxter. I found a place to park, just barely and made my way into the crowd. I could hear distant music and could smell something delicious. It felt like I was at a fair or something, nothing I ever would have imagined to see in the small town of Baxter. Kids ran past me holding balloons and yelling as I dove further into the mass of people. It took me some time, but I finally made it to the park, at least I was in grass and there were more trees. I hadn't seen anyone I recognized, just a sea of blank faces. It wasn't until I heard my name that I saw someone.
"Oh Caroline! You made it out! Janna'll be so happy!," I was approached by a short women with bright red lipstick and thick glasses. Diane. "Have you found Janna yet?"
"Oh, no... just soaking it all in," I looked around us at the excitement.
"Oh yes," Diane smiled. "This here is a big turnout."
"Way bigger than I expected. Baxter's bigger than I thought."
"Oh honey," Diane laughed," We got folks from Westagate, Boma, and Bloomington Springs here. Who know where else," she laughed. "Oh," she then guided me further into the park. "This here is my husband, Frank. Frank, this is Caroline, the nice little lady living up in Del Maxwell's old place."
Frank was sitting in a lawn chair, which he struggled to get up out of; he was old and plump and wearing a hat that said " Let Freedom Ring" on it with a bald eagle.
"Nice to meet ya," he gave a quick firm handshake and stood next to his wife.
"Come on, Frank, let's show her the town. Janna'll be so thrilled," Diane smiled.
Frank grumbled and then sat back in his chair, no wanting to parade around the jamboree. Diane, on the other hand, was all to excited to start introducing me to people. I met all of her neighbors and a few store owners and after than she kept referring people to other people I had just met. Like 'oh, this Carter's other son, Henry. We just saw Carter over by the slides'. Everyone was really nice, polite, and welcomed me to Baxter.
"This is Andy Bergaut, his the sergeant here in town," Diane pulled me to towards another group of people. "And this is Sherry Jackson, Janna's daughter. I want to introduce you both to Caroline, she's staying up at Del's."
I didn't know whether to correct Diane and tell her that I had already met Andy, but he beat me to it.
"Nice to see you again," he smiled.
"Hey," I did a small awkward wave.
Andy stood there with his arm around the girl beside him, she very small and petite with green eyes and light brown curly hair.
"Caroline, how nice to meet you," Sherry smiled.
And this is Janna's daughter? Oh wow, she beautiful.
"Hi," I shook her hand. "Nice to meet you."
Sherry looked over to Andy," Baby, you already meet her?"
"Uh, uhm, yeah," Andy nodded, sounded nervous. "She's who I helped the other day. Remember, I went to do some construction."
"Oh," Sherry did not sound happy, but she plastered on a smile. "Well, I did not know that. I thought you were up at Roger's."
"I never said that."
"We can talk about it later," Sherry squeaked with a smile, but her tone was anything but happy. There was definite tension in the air, I looked to Diane who seemed oblivious to the moment as Andy tried to recover from the slip.
"I just love that dress," Sherry told me.
"Oh, thanks," I looked down at my breezy skirt.
"I could never wear orange," she chuckled. "Washes me out," she turned to Andy and wrapped her hand around his waist, pulling him closer. Sherry then turned to me, her look was severe, it was as if she was telepathically telling me to stay away from her man. No problems there, I responded.
"Sherry and Andy are just the cutest couple in Baxter," Diane swooned. "We're just waiting on Andy here to drop the question."
"We sure are, Diane," Sherry laughed along, but it was fake and forced.
Andy avoided looking at any of us and tried to laugh it off with them, but luckily for him Janna came over. This is uncomfortable... Why is this so uncomfortable...
"Oh Caroline, so happy to see you made it out. Feelin' better?"
"Oh, no, I'm fine. I just," I checked my watch. "I'm should get going actually."
"Leavin' so soon? Darlin', you just got here, you haven't even tried some apple pudding. Come on, let me introduce you to some people," Janna took me by the arm. "Seems you already met my daughter and Andy."
"I'll have to introduce you to my son, Jeremey. Oh, he's a peach and lucky for you he is single," Janna cackled.
"Oh mama, stop pawning Jeremy off on every girl you meet," Sherry shook her head.
"I don't do that," Janna gasped then looked to me," He really is a lovely boy. I think I saw him over by the jungle gym..." and just like that, carted me off.
As we walked around, Janna was spouting the history of Baxter like it was her own autobiography; telling me about when the building were made, what they were made of and fun facts like how the roof of the library actually was done twice by mistake. They way she knew this town, I would have assumed she was the mayor or at least some well respected historian. I also noticed the way she introduced me to people, it was almost like I was prized possession. She would act like it was impressive to know me and the fact that she did meant she had all the power in the conversation. I just nodded, shook hands, like a good little lap dog, so I could leave soon. I checked my watch it was already almost 4, I have to get home if I'll get a chance to ride with Tommy.
"Well, Janna, it was so nice of you to show me around. Everyone here is so nice," I meant it. "But I really do have to get going."
"Gotta date?," Janna said then laughed like it was hysterical then her eye caught someone behind me. "Oh just a few more people, honey. Savannah! Kurtis!," she waved and spun me.
Sure enough right here walking past was Savannah and Kurtis, who both turned and Savannah didn't hide her shock well whereas Kurtis' face was unreadable. Oh god, please no, I silently begged but it was too late, Janna was pulling us all together.
"Kurtis, this is Caroline, she the one who bought your momma's house. And this is Savannah, his wife."
"Oh yeah... hey," I kept my hands clasped in front of me.
"Nice to see you again," Savannah said sweetly. "Janna, you think we don't know her? Caroline's been a family friend for years," Savannah pulled me into a loose hug. I just reacted and hugged her back, but I think we played it off well
"Oh really? She never mentioned it," Janna turned to me.
"Oh... yeah, well, uhm... we are. I know Savannah and Kurtis."
Savannah took my hand, "I'm gonna steal her one quick sec, wanna talk about that new house you've made," she pulled me away from the group.
Is she gonna yell at me? For what I said to Jordan? She's probably still mad! Oh, I hate this!
Savannah glanced to make sure Janna wasn't watching then looked to me," Look, Caroline... I'm sorry," her voice was low. "I didn't mean for that to happen the other day at the farm. I just...," she composed herself. "Well, I talked with Jordan, a long talk, and told him why he should never say it."
Oh wow... wasn't expecting that.
"I... I'm sorry too," I apologized," I shouldn't have stepped on your toes like that. it's just Tommy such a great guy and Andy told me about how the kids in town used to tease him. I didn't want him to feel like that."
"No, no, you were right," she sighed. "It's just this whole thing: Del, Kurtis, the house, it's driving me nuts. I mean, Kurtis isn't acting like himself and I was just so frustrated. I promise you, I never ever, lay hands on my children... I just..."
"It's okay, Savannah. I get that this hasn't be easy for any of you and now keeping this secret is hard. This is all new to me and last thing I want to do is cause any problems."
"Caroline... I just want you to know I hold no hard feelings at all," she nodded. " If fact, Carleen's birthday is next week if you wanted to..."
"Oh, of course. I would love to!"
Savannha beamed," Great."
"Is that okay with Kurtis?"
"You let me worry about that," she told me.
"I have to get to Nashville and pick up some new furniture," I lied. "Is there anyway you can cover for me?"
"No problem," she winked and went back to her husband who was quietly listening to Janna ramble.
"Well, if she's leaving," I heard Janna mumble. "Caroline! Caroline, wait," Janna caught up to me. "I want you to come by the salon sometime, I can do you up right."
I agreed and kept inching closer and closer to where my car was parked until Janna finally let me loose. I made it back to my house and collapsed onto my bed, a day full of meeting people after being cooped up here for weeks was straining. I closed my eyes for only a second to wake up hours later. Oh shit, I checked my clock and it was 9. Shit... Oh no, I sprung up but I knew it wouldn't change the fact that Tommy had long since gone home. I just hope he comes tomorrow...
