The Hard Way Home by C.W. Farnsworth

Author:C.W. Farnsworth [Farnsworth, C.W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C.W. Farnsworth
Published: 2021-03-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The incessant beeping is getting to me.

“I forgot to grab rice,” I tell Gramps, which is actually true. “I’ll be right back.” I duck out of line to head back into the main section of the supermarket.

It doesn’t take long to find the correct aisle and grab the light blue bag. There’s only one grocery store in town, and Gramps and I have been coming here every Saturday for as long as I can remember.

Gramps has moved up to being second in line by the time I return to the check-out. I toss the rice in the cart and try not to wince as the scanner keeps beeping nonstop.

Finally, it’s our turn, and Gramps chats with the owner as she rings up our groceries.

“I’m going to put these in the truck,” I tell Gramps, grabbing two paper grocery bags and heading towards the door. He nods as he continues making small talk with the cashier. I spin around to push open the door with my back. When I turn back around, I’m standing on the sidewalk just outside the store.

Face to face with Caleb Winters.

We stare at each other as we contemplate what to say. Or not to say.

At least, that’s what I’m doing.

“Hi,” I greet. I definitely didn’t expect to run into him outside of school, especially following his unexpected offer to help me pass gym and our conversation at my locker. The gesture and talking to me in public added another layer to our already complicated… something.

Not a friendship, definitely not a relationship, but something more than nothing.

“Hi,” Caleb repeats. All I can see on his face is surprise. Unlike me, he’s not alone. Jake Barnes, Colt Adams, and Luke Evans all hover behind him. Jake looks confused; Colt and Luke amused. “Exciting weekend?” A small smirk forms.

“Thrilling. Can’t you tell?” I nod to the two paper bags I’m clutching to my chest.

“Yeah, it’s pretty obvious.” Caleb’s dimples deepen.

“You?” I reciprocate.

“It’s been all right,” he responds.

“Winters! We’d better go,” Jake calls. He, Colt, and Luke have started to drift down the street, and are now standing about ten feet away from us.

“I’ve got to put these in the truck, anyway,” I say. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

Caleb doesn’t acknowledge Jake. Doesn’t look away from me. “Do you want to come?”

“Come?” I echo, floored.

“To the movies. We’re headed there now.” He jerks his head to the left, silently indicating towards the cinema located a couple blocks further downtown. His voice is casual, as though he invites me to hang out all the time, when the reality is the exact opposite.

I gape at him, temporarily incapable of speech. “I can’t,” I finally manage, surprised to realize I don’t have to feign the note of regret in my tone. Spending time with him no longer seems like the punishment I once would have considered it to be. “I’ve got to—”

The door behind me clangs open and shut, and I turn to see my grandfather emerging from the store, carrying two more paper bags.

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