Shattered

•Fifteen•

NOW

Lake Geneva was a beautiful town full of cute little shops and cafés. Nearly every window on every home had window boxes full of blooming flowers. While it wasn't quite a small town, it did give off the small town feel.

Diane, the owner of the Lazy Cloud Bed and Breakfast was stunned to learn I'd be alone for the weekend. While she was sweet to be concerned, the obvious "poor lonely girl" look she kept casting me became old fast.

Tossing my luggage on the king size bed, I went to the window across from it and opened it to let in fresh air. The distant wailing and caws of seagulls dipping around the beach were actually quite soothing. Poking my head out the window, my eyes scanned the horizon past the trellis in the back yard of the bed and breakfast. There was a dock not far, and a couple of paddle boats. It would have been a romantic weekend, if only I'd been in the mood for romance.

Next to the window was a wicker chair with a simple cushion, and a dresser with a few figurines and wooden blocks, each with inspirational quotes hand-painted on.

One read "There are no coincidences. The soul seeks its own path." I groaned and rolled my eyes.

I'm not sure what I expected to happen when I arrived here all by myself. What had I hoped to do? Sit in a chair and wait for memories to resurface on their own? No, my memories tended to repair themselves with a little help. A touch, a smell, a taste.

What did I have all the way out here in Lake Geneva, two hundred miles away from home? There were zero triggers out here. Nevertheless, I moved my bag to the end of the bed and climbed up, placing my head on the pillow. I stared at the ceiling and listened to the sounds from outside. I sighed and closed my eyes. If all I gained from this weekend was a nap, so be it.

I shut out the light completely and relaxed, thinking about everything and nothing. My mind had become so jumbled lately, it was nearly impossible to organize my thoughts.

A loud squawk from the lake made Tom come to mind. I pictured us in a restaurant together, enjoying a casual lunch. My heart rate climbed as I realized this wasn't a daydream, but a memory. Across from me in the booth, he took my flip flop off and rested my foot on his leg, caressing my ankle as we chatted. The waitress brought our food, placing a waffle covered in fruit and whipped cream before me. Tom grinned as I sat up straight, ready to dig in.

"I wish you'd look at me the way you look at food," he'd teased me.

My eyes opened and I smiled. Turning on my side, I replayed the events of last night in my head. The way Tom's lips brushed against my neck, the way he had smelled. I realized I was hungry now, especially since I skipped eating anything for breakfast, desperate to get here as fast as possible. I wanted a waffle.

Downstairs, I found Diane dusting the small library stocked with the classics and asked her for suggestions.

"Waffles, huh? Well, erm, there's several nearby if you head into town on the main road. I guess I'd say the best place for waffles is off Randall, called Cubby's. You know, there's also a bar that does singles nights on Saturday's!"

I laughed, shaking my head and held up my hand to show her my wedding ring, and thanked her, heading out into the sun. I placed my sunglasses on and faced the sun, embracing the warmth.

The walk to Cubby's was only ten minutes. Nearly lunch time, it was busy, but I was shown to a booth right away. Instantly, as I slid across the vinyl of the seat, I recalled being there before. Not that seat exactly, but I knew this was the same exact location I remembered mere minutes ago.

But I'd never been here before, to Lake Geneva. Jack said I'd always wanted to visit.

"Hello, my name is Patty and I'll be your server to-- oh, hello!" An older woman stood next to the table, pen in hand, ready to take my order. "Is your boyfriend joining you? I can come back, or if you know what he wants to drink, I can get your drink order for you."