People Talk

02

"I really don't feel like going." I told Dad as I fell into the couch. I brought a knee to my chest and rested my chin on top of it.

He had been trying to convince me all morning to go to the 'Out for Summer Festival' they had going on in town. I wasn't in the mood to stand out in the hot Georgia sun for hours just to do what?

Listen to bluegrass, play corn hole, and stick out like a sore thumb? I'd pass.

"Eden, I'm afraid you're getting depressed spending so much time cooped up in your room. We've been here for two weeks and you've seen the outside of your room, what? A few dozen times?"

I sighed, letting my eyes drift from him to the coffee table. "I'm not depressed." I muttered, not so sure if that was even true anymore.

"Then show me. Come out today and I'll drop it."

I groaned loudly, letting my chin slip and laying my forehead onto my knee. I knew I would never win an argument with him. I never had and today I didn't feel like trying anymore, "Fine!"

A half hour later we were headed into town. Dressed in black jeans and a Cigarettes After Sex tee, I was ready to suffer through this day.

"How long are we staying?" I asked, already anticipating our departure.

"Not too long," I cringed as he stressed the 'too'. He might as well have said we were staying all day. Every time he has ever said we wouldn't be somewhere too long, we were there for hours on end.

Just as I looked out the window, we passed the city limits sign.

Welcome to Lynette Creek!
Population: 2,051

Even just entering the city the streets were lined with cars. People parked just about anywhere. On the sidewalk, they filled the parking lots of businesses, in yards.

The town was swarmed. It looked as if all 2,051 of them were here. Immediately, I felt myself becoming anxious at the thought of trying to navigate through such a large amount of people.

But I reminded myself all I had to do was put on a show for my dad. Once he saw how much I liked it here he would finally leave me alone.

"I'm going to drop you off here and I want you to go save a table at that bakery. I'll find a spot and then I'll come find you."

"What? No!" I protested. "I don't want to go by myself! What if there's not a table? I don't even have any money!" I truly hated being alone in places where I didn't know anyone.

"Eden. Just go save a table. I'll be there soon," Dad sounded annoyed. Hell, so was I. I shouldn't have agreed to leave the house. Would it be so bad for him to think I was depressed?

The car slowed to a stop and without another word, I exited the car. Just get through today. I shut the door and began crossing the street as he drove away.

As I reached the bakery, I noticed that the line was wrapped around the corner. I peered into the large windows to find that all of the tables were obviously filled. Of course they were.

I sighed trying to decide what to do. Ultimately settling on standing outside, waiting out the crowd.

I always found myself watching instead of doing, and today was no different. I leaned onto the brick wall, hands starting to feel numb from padding my back from the wall, just watching.