Scarlett, the Found One

Chapter 52: Scarlett

As I scrubbed the last bit of flour off the counter, Paula stood next to me, looking a bit sheepish.

"Chrissy, I'm sorry if I've been a bit overbearing," she said, her voice quiet. "I'm not the best at making friends."

I glanced at her, surprised by her vulnerability. "It's okay, Paula. You're doing fine."

She sighed, leaning against the counter. "After high school, I went off to culinary school. I had big dreams, you know? But then my father passed away, and I had to come back to help my mom with the bakery. If I hadn't, we'd have lost everything. All my friends continued going to school, but I was left behind. I love baking, but I wish there was more. That I could be more."

I could see the pain in her eyes, the struggle between duty and her own desires. "That sounds really tough," I said softly.

Paula nodded. "It is. I feel like I'm controlled by my mom. I love her, but I fear her too. She's all I have left, and I don't want to disappoint her. Plus she does this thing that-"

Just as Paula was speaking, Ruth walked in, interrupting our conversation. "Chrissy, you can head home for the day! Dinner starts at 6 pm," she said, handing me a receipt with their home address scribbled on the back.

"Thank you, Ruth," I said, slipping the receipt into my pocket.

Before leaving, I turned to Paula and gave her a tight hug. "Hang in there, Paula. Things will get better."

She hugged me back, her grip surprisingly strong. "Thanks, Chrissy. See you tonight."

As I walked back to the motel, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Paula. She was trapped in a situation she couldn't control. I pondered on her comments about Maya and I being so free. I knew how it felt to be trapped while back in Vastoria but I had taken my freedom all these years for granted. I wondered what Paula was going to say about her mother's controlling tendencies.

I walked into the motel room to find Maya in a heated argument with the book. Their voices were sharp and filled with sass, creating a lively echo off the walls.

"I'm telling you, dolphins are way smarter than pigs!" the book insisted in its usual British accent.

"Oh, sure," Maya shot back, rolling her eyes, "There's been like hundreds of articles about pigs being super smart."

"Dolphins have larger brains relative to their body size, superior social structures, and can even recognize themselves in mirrors," the book retorted, sounding exasperated. "Pigs may be smart, but they don't hold a candle to dolphins."

Maya huffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, well, can dolphins build houses out of straw, sticks, and bricks? Didn't think so."

As soon as Maya saw me, she slammed the book shut. "Goodnight," she said to it, stuffing it into her satchel bag.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to make sense of the situation. "Is there a lover's quarrel going on?" I teased, amused by the odd scene.

Maya shook her head. "That's one way to put it." she replied, walking over to give me a kiss. "What time is dinner?"

"Dinner's at six," I said, chuckling. "And it's going to be a bread-fest."

Maya rubbed her stomach and groaned in disgust. "Ugh, that shit is nasty."

I couldn't help but smile. "You know, you talk a lot more now since we've been together," I said, nudging her. "And whine a lot more, too."

She pouted playfully. "Do not."