The Able Sisters

Chapter 44

"Autumn at last!" Sable exclaimed as she noticed the faint yellow coloring in the trees and grass. She was staring excitedly out the window while Mabel sat, eating her breakfast.

"It's still not cold," Mabel pointed out.

"Be quiet, you," Sable teased. The summer heat was beginning to torment her, and she looked forward to some more cool and quiet nights.

A knock sounded from downstairs. Sable glanced up. That was odd. The shop wouldn't be open for a few more hours. She headed downstairs and found Pete at the door with a letter in hand.

"Letter for Miss Sable," he said.

"Oh. Thank you," Sable said, grabbing it from him. She glanced down, realizing immediately it was from Tom. She let out a "hmph" as she headed back upstairs. What did he want?

She was surprised to get another letter so soon after the vague letter she received last time. She had sent him multiple letters since but hadn't been expecting a response anytime soon.

"Who was it?" Mabel asked.

"It was Pete."

"You got another letter!" Mabel exclaimed.

"Not like I want it," Sable muttered, sitting down at the table. She ripped it open, finding a lengthy note attached.

Dear Sable,

I'm coming home next month. I've been thinking about this for a while, about a year actually, but city life just doesn't seem like it's fit for me. I tried long and hard to convince myself otherwise, but my business never took off, and I finally admitted that it wouldn't. Sorry I didn't talk to you more about it. I guess I was kind of ashamed my dream never came true.

I've been sending letters back and forth with Tortimer. There's an empty plot in town that he's selling to me. I'm going to build a shop and start my own business here. It's not ideal. I'll miss the city. But I'm glad I can at least start some kind of business.

There's still so much more I want to do, but this is a good start, I think. Like I said before, I'll be back in early October to start my business. I'll see you then. 

Hope everything is going well for you,

Tom.

Sable's claws began to tremble, and she set the letter back down. She wanted to cry and shout at the same time. Tom was coming back! Of course, it wasn't a good circumstance for why he was coming back, but she was thrilled all the same.

If he was starting a business here, that'd mean he'd stay too. And she would have her friend back. Things could feel normal again.

"Are you okay?" Mabel asked. "What did it say?"

"Tom's coming back," Sable said.

"What? When?!"

"Next month. I guess he's going to start a business here instead."

"Yay!" Mabel exclaimed.

Sable grinned, but even she felt a bit uneasy. Of course she was excited, but she hadn't seen Tom in a few years, and if he was anything like what he wrote in his letters...

She shook these thoughts away. He was still her best friend. Nothing could change that. She smiled to herself, looking forward to the next month.

The leaves changed from yellow to bright orange and red. The air became cool, and the sky became darker. October was soon upon them, and Sable was looking forward to Tom's return.