The Lines

Chapter 2- New Town

After I was far enough away, I had reached the coast of California. Which was on the other side of the state from where I used to live. I figured this was far enough, since the aching of my feet wouldn't let me walk much further even if I tried.

I found a small semi-run down motel which I stayed for the night. Since it was secluded and shabby it wasn't too expensive, I simply laid my bag on the floor after entering my room for the night and flopped on the bed. Too tired to do much of anything. Almost instantly I fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

I woke to sun blinding me through the windows. I groaned in annoyance, only to finally realize where I was. I sighed unhappily and gathered myself off the spring mattress- which I just now noticed wasn't nearly as comfortable as it seemed last night. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and headed towards the bathroom which I quickly hopped in the shower to cleanse and fully wake my self up.

After wards I got dressed in simple, lounge clothes. All pretty loose and comfortable. Putting my hair in a messy bun once again, I pack up my belongings once more and head out the door of the room and checked out of the motel.

Today was the big day, finding a job and more importantly an apartment. I had my head held a little higher, feeling like I could accomplish anything in this moment. Soon I walked into a small town. I seemed warm and welcoming with trees longing the streets and pedestrians stopping every block to converse with random passerby's.

I ran across a small coffee shop which I instantly fell in love with. It was so amazing. I rushed inside and was greeted with the sweet smells of vanillas and caramels. It was gorgeous from the inside. With little lounge areas and tables. Along with its own bookstore on the side.

This place was like heaven. I quickly pulled myself together when I noticed I was staring with my mouth unflatteringly open. I walked up to the front counter, getting more and more nervous with every other step I took.
Before I noticed I reached my destination, I had quite clumsily stubbed my toe on the counter. I bit my lip to keep from cursing at the pain. I swear these things only ever happen to me. I was disturbed from my thoughts by a sweet voice asking a question.

"Well hello, how can I help you?" I looked up to find an older woman with the kindest eyes and smile I have ever seen. It's like she was created just to look like a sweet grandmother who bakes cookies and reads you bedtime stories. I simply smiled shyly at her, forgetting the whole reason I had come inside. Once I remembered, I began nervously fidgeting with my fingers.

"H-hello, I was um wondering if yo-your hiring?" She looked a little puzzled.

"Well sweetie you must be new here, everyone in this town knows I've been running this café solo for as long as it's been open." I felt disappointment bloom in my chest, as a slight frown etched itself on my face.

"But" she started, I looked up at her as I began filling with hope again

"I haven't been asked in quite some time. As you can probably see" she pointed to herself with a warm and inviting laugh

"I'm pretty old, it's getting harder to run this place all by myself." I must have looked like a kid in a candy shop because she giggled lightly at my reaction. She smiled kindly at her.

"I would just have a few questions for you." I smiled and nodded eagerly. She smiled too and lead us over to a comfortable looking booth on a corner of the café, we took our seats across from eachother. I waited patiently for her questions.

"First off, what's your name darling?"

"Kaitlin, Kaitlin Roselyn Beck.

"Such a pretty name, I'm carol."
I smiled at her name, it fit her quite well.

"Second question, do you know how to bake or brew coffee?" I simply nodded.

With a soft smile she carried on,
"Finally, question three, what brought you to this town?" At this I started getting nervous and fidgeting in my seat. But staring up at this kind woman made me relaxed, I told her why I had come. I told her every detail. The pregnancy, leaving home, adoption, then returning home and going back to life as I had planned.
She nodded and never interrupted once. She reached over the table to grab my hands and pat them reassuringly.

She smiled at me, " you mentioned that your going out to find a place after this, nothing too big." I nodded for her to continue. Interested as to where she was heading to with this.

"Well when I bought this building it used to be a two story home, I simply renovated the downstairs for a bigger kitchen area and added in the lounge" she said waving her hand to both places as she mentioned them.

"But I never really got around to the upstairs. Mainly just used it as storage but when my knees started getting bad and it got more and more difficult to go up and down stairs every day, I cleared everything out. It's really just a bedroom and bathroom up there. It would definitely need some dusting and vacuuming but if your interested.."

She looked up to judge my face for a reaction, my eyes where wide and felt like they could pop out of their sockets. I couldn't believe what I just heard. I blinked a few times just to make sure this wasn't a dream, and sure enough. It was all real.

"Oh my gosh yes." I said breathlessly. So happy and excited. She smiled widely and stood up to pull me up alongside her and enveloped me in a tight hug. I hugged back tightly. Thankful for everything that she's done for me. She released me from the hug and took hold of my hand to practically drag me up the stairs with how excited she was. I giggles at her joy and followed behind quickly. Once we reached the top of the stairs she flipped on the light switch to reveal a gorgeous studio room. Full-length glass windows covering one whole side of the room. Showing off the lovely town.  I smiled and thanked her continuously. She smiled and waved it off, she truly was too kind.

"I need to be getting back to work now". She said with a smile. "I'll close up early so I can come up and help you tidy up and pull out an air mattress from the closet for you tonight until we can get you a proper bed." I was still in awe of everything.

"An air mattress will do just fine, thank you so very much." I was truly grateful.

"Non Sense! Your going to need as much comfort as you can get with that little rugrat inside you." She giggled at her comment which made me laugh as well. I gave her another huge which she gladly returned. She stepped back and gave me a small wave before heading back down stairs.

I twirled around and walked around the bedroom and bathroom. They where both equally gorgeous. I smiled and began softly patting my tummy- which is apparently becoming a habit. I smiled to myself and spoke softly.

"Maybe this won't be so bad after all. I knew I could do this." I had a huge grin on my face as I stepped closer to the window. Taking in the view of my new town.
My new town? For now I suppose.
I'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings me.
"Or should I say us?" I say with a smile glancing down at my stomach.