Climb the Ladder by Ashley McConnell

Author:Ashley McConnell [McConnell, Ashley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Novel
Published: 2023-09-04T16:00:00+00:00

Blythe

I guessed at some point in the wee hours of the morning, I fell asleep. I had texted Rose a few times checking in on her and she hadn’t responded yet. While the rest of my life was crumbling, I just woke up from a dream where I was on vacation, which had inspired me to book one.

I got out of bed and grabbed my laptop, returning to my cocoon of blankets. Having no more inspiration to be productive today than I did last night. I turned the TV on and opened up the saved link for the rental home. I had decided to let the universe take the reins and whenever the first available week is, I’ll book it. I clicked the link and as the page loaded, I reached for my phone. I typed out a message to Claire, the bookstore buying suggester.

ShelfishDesires: Hey Claire, quick question. Do you live in Wippowa?

I hit send and looked up as the page loaded. I checked the availability calendar and the first available week was the third week of August. Two weeks from now. I didn’t know why, but I assumed it would be booked until next Fall, but it has pretty open availability. I couldn’t take a week off this quickly. I’m already on thin ice, this could cost me my job. I scrolled to the September calendar and booked the first week. I already have Labor Day off as a holiday, so I would only have to burn four days of vacation time.

Claire had messaged me back.

Claire: Hey. I do. Planning a trip here?

Blythe: I am. I just booked Labor Day week.

Claire: Boo. I’ll be back at work then. School starts back up the last week of August.

Blythe: That’s the worst timing. I’ll be there during the weekend so we can meet up?

Claire: I’d love that. I can send you a list of must-see places and things to do.

Blythe: That would be awesome, thank you.

Claire: Don’t mention it. Planning on checking out that bookstore? I bet Charlie would give you a free coffee if you took it off his hands.

Blythe: Charlie is…?

Claire: The guy who owns the coffee shop that’s attached to the store. He wants to get rid of the place but his mom is on his ass because the building “has sentimental value.” I keep telling him, maybe if he smiled more often, people would drink his stupid coffee and his business would be profitable.

Blythe: He sounds like a ray of sunshine.

Claire: He’s a good guy. He’s just gone through a lot and is deservedly grumpy.

Blythe: I get that. I’m in a grumpy mood myself.

Claire: Want to talk about it?

I wanted to emphatically say yes. I wanted someone objective to listen to the facts and tell me it was justified to be upset. Right now, I felt silly being upset. I trusted people too easily and I got burned in the end.

Blythe: Just a rough week is all. I’ll be okay but thank you.

Claire: If you’re sure. Here’s my number if you need it.

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