Doe Hollow

The Holler

AJ hadn't exaggerated. Doe Hollow was almost exactly the same as Abby remembered it from her youth. A bit worse for the decade of wear, but the familiarity was more comforting than it had felt the previous day. Coasting through town behind Sunday drivers, Abby felt much more relaxed. She wasn't sure if it was due to the familiar surroundings or the breakdown that morning, but she was glad either way. A year of overwhelming anxiety had taken its toll on her and she was glad for the respite.

Pulling into the Walmart parking lot, Abby found herself performing her old habitual scan for familiar vehicles. She wasn't sure who'd gotten a new car in the past few years though, so she didn't pay close attention to the assemblage of modest American made vehicles as she searched for a decent parking spot. There weren't any spaces close to the building, but everyone knows that a space near a cart corral is almost as good, and she spotted a truck pulling out of one such space nearby.

Upon entering the crowded store, Abby's nerves perked up. She didn't feel as deeply anxious as she had felt in the airport, but she was nervous enough to be mindful. She carefully navigated the aisles, taking her time perusing bedding, home decor, and beauty products. She was testing a dab of foundation on the back of her hand when she heard a familiar voice from down the aisle tease, "Look at this raggedy bitch!" Grinning, Abby looked up to see two of her best friends from high school making their way past the Cover Girl and Maybelline and towards her.  Angela Harper and Heather Knight looked like they'd stepped out of a time machine. Angela was still the tall, slim country girl she'd been a decade ago, sporting her trademark plaid button down with jeans tucked into worn brown riding boots, her curly blonde hair cascading down her shoulders the way it always had. Petite Heather had put on a few pounds since high school but was still youthful looking, her tan, heart shaped face framed by a highlighted, angled bob. Only when they got close enough to hug Abby did she notice the signs of age on their faces. The subtle lines around Heather's sparkling blue eyes and the barely-noticeable gray hairs intermingled in Angela's curls were the only signs that time had indeed touched Abby's long-lost friends. As she exchanged hugs and excited greetings with them, Abby wondered what subtle signs of age they noticed on her.

"So what's up with that uppity party we didn't get invited to?" Heather joked, giving Abby's arm a playful shake.

"I didn't even know it was happening until I got here," Abby admitted. Angela shrugged and replied,

"I didn't have a babysitter anyway, but we definitely need to get together soon and catch up!"

"You have kids?" Abby chuckled. "I literally never would have guessed!" She teasingly poked Angela's flat stomace.

"I know right?" Heather said. "This bitch has three kids and looks better than I did in high school. It's sickening." Angela shook her head as the three friends shared a laugh.

"So how does it feel to be back in the Holler?" Heather continued, turning her full attention to Abby, who shrugged.

"I don't know," Abby sighed. "It hasn't really sunk in yet."

"Well do you remember Tyler Martin?" Heather asked. Abby nodded. "He's having a bonfire on his Papaw's land Friday night. You should come out. It'll be like old times." Abby doubted that very seriously but had the courtesy not to say so.

"I'll try to stop by," she conceded.

"Well hey girl, it was really awesome to see you but we're on babysitter time and we need to get going," Heather said, giving Abby another hug. "It would be amazing to see you Friday," She added. Heather hugged Abby again also, adding,

"Facebook me later and we'll catch up!"

Abby watched her friends walk away and returned to her makeup, almost positive she wouldn't go to that bonfire. The crowd that was sure to be there, and the inevitable abundance of alcohol, not to mention the fire itself, was a recipe for disaster.