The Ground Below

Chapter Five

“Life’s all about chances, sweetheart,” Grammy’s dark eyes shine as she tells me this.  “Don’t pass up on something great, and if you’re uncertain, try it anyway.”

I woke up thinking about Grammy.  She’d roll over in her grave if she knew how bad I was moping around the last week.

Not anymore.

She’d be proud I’m doing something for myself, and taking a chance.

Excitement washes over me as I get dressed for lunch with Amy, and Dallas—two strangers that are about to change my life.

Like my brother told me, and I agreed, I need some new air.  An opportunity hit me, and I’m going to take it.

I’m a bit nervous about accepting the first offer that came to me, but what the heck.  I feel like one of those people who throw a dart at the map, and go wherever it lands, except less adventurous.

I’m excited, because I’m doing something so unlike me it’s not even funny.

My life has always been carefully planned out.  I mean, come on.  I have anxiety; I don’t want to have to worry about things not going my way.

But I’m throwing caution to the wind as I step into the Empire hotel wearing a black cocktail dress—maybe a little over the top for lunch—but from what I gathered from these people, Amy is probably wearing something extravagant.

And I was right.  There she sat with an emerald strapless that sparkled as the light glistened onto the dress.

She looked wonderful, and I paled in comparison.  They both stood when they spotted me in the entrance to the dining room.  Kissing my cheeks once I got there, I felt strangely comfortable with Amy even though it was kind of awkward.

“We can’t tell you how much we appreciate you taking the job,” she says while in the process of kissing my cheeks. 

Dallas just throws out his hand in greeting.  I shake it, and it dawns on me that this guy doesn’t smile much.

As we take our seats, I tell them how nervous I am, and Amy nods her head vigorously.  “Mm-hmm, that is very understandable.”

“It’s a big move,” Dallas states blandly.  “You’ll like South Carolina.”

That may be true, but I don’t know if I’d like him.

“Yes, our girls love it,” she agrees with her husband.  “I wouldn’t have wanted to raise my girls anywhere else.”

“I see your point about it being beautiful, and don’t get me wrong.  I’m very excited, and I don’t plan on backing out.  But, what am I suppose to do when I’m not giving lessons?  It’s not like I’ll know anybody there.”

“You can do whatever you want.  And as far as meeting people, we’ll be more than glad to introduce you to some interesting people.  You’ll get along just fine,” Amy assures me.

And the rest of lunch went with them telling me about their daughters, and more about South Carolina.  When I left the hotel, I felt a little bit surer of my decision.  I still wasn’t very clear on my job details, but I’d assume that’d come when I got to South Carolina.