Seashells {Belmont 1}

Chapter 7

sorry for the long wait! but here is the next chapter!

not edited

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The microwave beeps, indicating my frozen breakfast sandwich is done. Opening the door of the microwave, I fingertips touch the side of the plate. Heat shocks my skin; my arm flies back and almost hits the door. Mumbling a curse, I wave my hand around so the slight pain can ease away. The radio plays current pop hits as I pull the cooled down plate out of the microwave and onto the counter. Jenna has left some lemonade she recently made in the refrigerator so I pour myself a glass before walking out onto the porch, facing the water. The breeze makes some of my fly away hairs tickle my forehead and the sides of my face.

The chair is still cool from being in the shade, and makes the backs of my thighs shiver from the chill. My black flip-flops drop to the porch as I bring my legs up on the chair across from me. It's a lovely day outside. Families are walking on the beach, kids running ahead of their parents. Something in my stomach bottoms out. I wonder if that is how my family was when Danny and I were younger. When Mom would still visit.

My throat becomes tight and just as I'm about to take a sip of lemonade, my cell phone vibrates against the table, Amie's picture is displayed on the screen. I haven't gotten a chance to talk with her since I left.

"Hey," I answer, clearing my throat to help get rid of the hoarse sound.

"Hey girl," Amie's chipper voice makes me smile. She always makes me smile even when I feel like crap. "Are you settled in?"

Some rogue pieces of hair fly in my mouth when the wind picks up. Brushing the strains behind my ear, I lean back in the chair. "Yeah, pretty much. It's beautiful here Amie. You should see this."

"You sound happier," she says. "I'll come down sometime soon. Whenever I have off from work. So, are there any cute guys?"

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing. Amie is boy crazy—always has been since I met her. "I've met a few."

Amie does some type of squealing sound in excitement. "Oh I'm so hyped. I need some new men in my life."

Shaking my head, I take a sip of lemonade. "What happened to the guy you were into before I left? The one who you met when he brought his dog into your work?"

Amie is a vet tech, and likes to talk about the attractive men that come into work frequently with their adorable pets. "Oh, him? No, that didn't result into anything. Before I was supposed to meet him for coffee for our second date I checked his Facebook, you know to make sure he isn't some creep, and found out he had a girlfriend. I'm not going to be the other woman."

"I'm sorry."

"No need for the apology. There's plenty of other non scumbags in the world." Amie does not concern herself with people who are no longer an issue. I admire her for that. "So, how are you? Has the trip helped you?"

"I think so," I admit, running my pointer finger's nail alone the edge of the plate. "I haven't really thought any negative thoughts about Mom here. It's like I know she's with me and experiencing this with me," I say, smiling as I think about the first time I stepped into the room that is designed to honor my mom. "They even have a room named after my mom."

"Wow," Amie sighs on the other line. "I'm happy to hear you're not feeling down on yourself there. It's been awhile since you've been yourself."