Caroline

Chapter 4

Caroline poured sweet tea into a glass, enjoying the cracking and popping sounds as the hot liquid hit the ice cubes. That sound always took her back to family dinners, and the pride she'd felt when she had been given the task of putting ice into glasses before her father poured tea from the heavy porcelain pitcher. Everyone agreed that tea just tasted better from it. One sip, and Caroline knew that the pitcher still held its magic. With glass in hand, she walked out onto her porch and sat on the top step. The idea of a rocking chair out there appealed to her. She made a mental note to search online for something she liked, then wondered if she should buy more than one. The image of a single chair made her feel sad, but would having an unoccupied chair to taunt her every time she went outdoors be any better? She would have to reflect on that a bit.

The smell of the woods around her made her think of growing things. She regretted leaving behind her mother's azaleas, though removing them would have lessened the curb appeal of the house. Perhaps the new owners would allow her to take cuttings to root. But that would mean a trip back, and she wasn't ready for that yet. Maybe late summer, she would be emotionally secure enough to make the trip, and have the cuttings ready for fall planting. In the meantime, she could always pick up a new shrub or two for this year. With this in mind, she stood and walked down the steps, ready to tour the yard and make plans for what would be planted where.

She was eying one particular spot, wondering if it would receive enough sunlight for a rose trellis, when she heard a heavy noise in the woods. Wary of bears, she took a step closer to her door but kept her eyes in the direction of the sound. She knew it was probably a deer, but wanted to be ready in any case. The figure that emerged from the shadows was not a bear, but might as well have been for the start it gave her.

It was the blue-eyed man from town.

He stopped at the sight of her. "Jelly?"

Caroline frowned, confused. "What?"

The slow smile returned to his face. "Sorry. I didn't get your name before. In my head, I've been calling you 'Jelly'."

She took another step back, hoping she could make it inside and bolt the door before he could reach her.

"What are you doing here? You followed me?" Her voice quavered. Why did she always have to appear so weak?

Now it seemed his turn to be confused. The smile slid away. "Sorry?"

She took a deep breath to steady herself. "You. Followed. Me."

He shook his head. "I was just going for a walk."

"Out here?" Her voice was higher in pitch. Not steady.

"Well....yeah." He pointed behind himself. "My cabin is just through there."

And then she remembered. Her real estate broker had driven her around the area so she could see how scattered the surrounding cabins were. While they were not within sight of each other, they were well within an easy hike. It had not occurred to her that the distance could be even shorter if the road were avoided.

Still, not entirely convinced, she said, "That's quite the coincidence."

"Yeah... but it is a coincidence."

"I see you twice in town and now here. You don't think I should be suspicious?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets and took a step back. "Look, " he said without any rancor, "I swear to you I have no nefarious intentions toward you. We ate breakfast at the same time at the only restaurant in town that serves it. We met up again in the only grocery store within 20 miles. I am now taking a walk along a route that I have used many times before. The way I see it, the only uncommon factor in this situation is you."

A silence fell between them as she pondered this. Finally, she worked her courage up to speak again. "Nefarious intentions?"

His smile returned and lit up his entire face. "Caught that, didya?"

She found she couldn't help but smile a little in return. "Afraid so, yeah."

This time he let out a soft laugh. "Mamma taught English lit in Brevard. Some things rubbed off on me."

After another brief silence, she asked, "So we're neighbors, then?"

"As close to next-door neighbors as you can get up here."

"Well..." She held her glass up for him to see. "Can I offer you some tea, neighbor?"

This elicited another laugh from him. She was surprised by how much she enjoyed hearing it.

"The name is Michael. And thanks, but no. I won't impose on you any more today if I can help it."

"It's no trouble, really. And my name is Caroline."

"Caroline... nice. I do appreciate the offer. Another time maybe?"

"Sure." She nodded.

Michael began walking to a path she now saw leading out of her yard. He turned briefly in her direction, raised a hand, and called out, "Later Jelly!" before he disappeared behind the trees. Slowly, she lifted her own hand, though she knew he couldn't see it. "Later, Hermit," She whispered.