by Casey Peeler
Chapter 3
Cadence
Staring out the passenger side window, I can’t help but wish my life were different. The farther down the interstate we drive, the faster my dreams fade behind me. Who knew that one act—or hell, maybe more—by my father would impact my life to this extent? I cannot stand him.
Hearing my phone beep, I take my phone from my purse. Touching the screen, I see a picture from Lauren. It’s a selfie of her in the studio with a pouty face. I smile knowing that she’s missing me, but seeing the studio makes tears well up in my eyes. I quickly wipe them away, grab my ear buds and turn on my favorite playlist.
Mom and I make fairly good time, but I’m so tired of being in this vehicle. We stop every few hours to stretch, use the restroom, and get a snack. When we hit the North Carolina state line I get excited, but my excitement is quickly extinguished when I realize we still have a few more hours to go.
As the sun begins to set, the light is blinding as we drive west on Interstate 40, but once it’s behind the trees we’re no longer squinting behind our sunglasses. We make a turn off the interstate and Mom calls Gran to let her know we’re almost there. She says that she has dinner waiting for us, and I can only imagine what varmint she’s fried up.
As if she’s reading my mind, Mom looks at me. “Stop it. You know she’s not going to feed you something crazy.”
“You never know, but I bet no matter what it’s something fried and a million carbs,” I say with attitude, and Mom pulls the car off to the side.
“Look, I left Delight thinking I’d never go back, but sometimes we can’t control what happens in our lives. I know that this isn’t want you want to do right now, but I didn’t want a divorce either. As much as you think your life is over, it’s not. Take a moment and think about me Cadence. I’ve lost everything I’ve worked for and your father. The least you can do is be grateful that Gran is letting us move in with her. Now I’d appreciate you putting a smile on your face when we get to Gran’s just like I’m going to do.”
I don’t say anything because if I did she’d probably make me walk the rest of the way to Gran’s and there’s no way in hell I’m walking out here by myself.
Mom drives in silence as I stare out the window. We finally arrive in Delight, and when I say we’ve arrived I mean we’ve passed a tiny green rectangular sign with the word Delight on it. There’s no post office, shops or anything. It’s a speck of a community near an extremely small town called Lawndale where there isn’t a chain restaurant for thirty miles.
Turning onto the gravel driveway I see the glow of the lights in the farmhouse. Once Mom puts the Suburban in park, I open the door and almost vomit from the stench that invades my nose.
“What is that smell?” I ask as I hold my nose.
She starts to laugh. “Cadence, it’s the country, but more than likely that’s a bunch of cow manure.”
Oh. My. Gosh. I woke up in New York and landed in hell. I quickly grab my essentials and as I begin to walk toward the house, I trip over something. I squeal and catch my balance. “Why’s it so dark out here?”
“Cadence, honey, this is the way God made it. There aren’t any street lamps. Just give your eyes a moment to adjust.” I do and it helps, but before I take another step, I grab my phone and turn on my flashlight. I then drop my essentials on the ground.
“No service! Mom! My phone has no service!”
“You’ll survive. Gran has a landline.” Who the hell is this lady and where did my mother go? Shoot me now!