1 Harlow

There are many different ways to begin a story, but the best is said to begin from the beginning and deliver that one first line that grips the reader. If I were to begin with a line I would say, there are many sides to a story, but this is not one with many sides. My story only has my side, and I am the one telling it.

It was the beginning of summer, and like all places in Colorado Springs, our town, Mercy Ridge was bustling with activity. We were preparing for the return of our local veteran, Tate Ferns.

He would not only be returning home but also turning 25. It has been 7 years since I last saw him, and half that time I secretly wished he would never come back.

I didn't wish him harm. I was a bit nasty at times, but not to the point that I had to atone for my thoughts every day and I am pretty sure if I secretly wished the town's Hero an untimely death, our creator wouldn't be so kind as to forgive me. Not that I was a believer, I think my faith died the day Tate left me, after I lost our baby.

It was the day my family decided I was no good staying home, and sent me to Washington to study. I should've been happy, and overjoyed my brothers wanted me to 'better' myself but a part of me always knew they wanted me gone. It was for my own good, since most of the town hated me, and blamed me for the death of my own unborn child. I was only 17 when it happened.

If they weren't calling me a baby killer, they were calling me a whore.

Now, here I am, back at age 23, my finals coming up in a few weeks and I was due to start my internship at the Kanese Group, one of the largest Marketing and Growth Development agencies in America.

My dad would've been proud of me, he was the one who always said I was made for more than this town, and while I believed him, I did miss the place. I missed the friendly people, my momma's dumpling stews, and Grandad's old stories.

"Harlow, come on over here, I wanna introduce you to Mr. Handerson, he'll be teaching the English class this fall." I look up at my friend Sal and place the bowl of cupcakes down on the table. Sal and I went to school together and were not so distant relatives since she was now married to my brother, Lance. Her red hair definitely made an impression, and her striking eyes sealed the deal and got her a big rock and the Malcolm surname to go with it. We were by no means ever making it on the Forbes richest list, but our family ran a very successful meat farm and we were known all around Colorado.

And let's not mention my brothers. Lance, the doctor, Keith the scientist and Eddy, the bisexual Lawyer. Everyone in the world knew Eddy Malcolm, he was famous at the D.A's office, and the daily news.

I walk toward Sal, and see my mama talking to Ginger, the towns drunk. Ginger sneers at me from across the expanse of people and I wave, not really caring she hated me. She can hate me all she wants. Most of the folk in this town already did. I was cool with that. This would be the last time I see most of them for a while yet. I had no intention of returning after today.

It's been years since I've been home. Ages since I got to see all the familiar faces. My brothers, Lance, Keith and Eddy visited me often in Washington. and mostly the only reason I was even back was to see my mama, she didn't have much time left on this earth, and since my dad passed away 4 years ago, there wasn't much of a reason for her to stay on this earthly plane let alone this town.

"Hey, what is mama doing talking to Ginger?" I question Sal as I see her standing next to a middle aged man.

"She stole from Peter's bar last night. Mama said she'll sort it out since Ginger's been clean."

"Clean? yeah right. The only thing clean on her is, well nothing." It was nasty but honest to god's truth thing to say.

"Mr. Handerson, meet my sister-in-law Harlow, she's going to be an intern at Kanese Group, from next month."

I take his extended hand and give him my best professional smile. The man seems harmless, and his brown gaze doesn't drop to my chest, which I say is a plus. I had a good rack, and it was the one thing of my mama's I got that I was proud of. So proud I made sure never to show it off, I was selfish like that. But my loose blouses didn't stop the male population from noticing.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Handerson."

"Same here Harlow. Sal was telling me about the Valedvictorian speech you gave before you left. Your quote on Appictus really moved a lot of people. Do you consider yourself stoic?"

"No, I am certainly not, I consider myself me, the rest I am trying to figure out as I go along."

I spot my brother from behind Mr. Handerson and beckon him over with my eyes.

"Hey, how long do I have to call you before you answer your phone?" Eddy asks, as I frown at him, slipping my phone out of my jean pocket.

"What is so important you have to call me 8 times?" I stare at his green eyes, identical to my own.

"A Havesh Sandari, or something like that called you. Said he was from the Kanese Group. Said they are having a pre-meet with the interns. Their CEO has requested you all wear black and white."

"Did they say when?"

"Monday." Eddy touches my nose and scrunches it up.

"Which is tomorrow."

"Yes, it is, luckily you have a flight booked this evening. I could change it for you, make it earlier if you want to head on home and do some girly shit." Eddy waggles his eyebrows and I hit his head as he laughs.

He knew I was only meeting Tate today because it was the right thing to do. I couldn't hide from my past hoping to make a better life. It didn't work. I needed to say goodbye, and let him know that there were no hard feelings between us.

The people around start bustling and talking as I see the car coming down the street. My stomach knots and I know it is him.

It's Tate. He is here, and it is time I face him, time I finally tell him it's okay that he left him, after I fell pregnant with his kid. I am okay that he abandoned me while I was stuck here, in our hell hole of a school only to be branded, called names, hurt and it is okay I am just a bit meaner for it.

Everything was just mighty shiny and all dandy.

The white toyota stops, and my heart thumps loudly in my chest as my brother, Eddy turns around to look at the car and also thankfully to place his hand on my shoulder. Yeah, it was good to have Eddy.

"Remind me why we are sponsoring this stupid asswhipe's welcome home shenanigans again?" My brother says as the man of the moment jumps out of the car.

I wait for it, 1 second, 2 seconds, 3, but it doesn't come. The anger, or hate, elation, love, none of it comes. I feel nothing as I stare at him.

He is taller than I remember. His army hat hides his face, as he grabs his bag out of the car. One of the towns teens goes to help him take it and the people begin clapping. It is all so fucking awesome.

"How you doing there munchkins?" Eddy questions me as he flexes his hold on my shoulder, making it known he is here.

Got to love my brother for actually giving a shit.

"Surprisingly I'm okay, considering 5 minutes ago I was getting ready to give him an entire sermon."

Tate looks around and starts to greet the folks as they mostly crowd him, welcoming him home. I stand with my brother and watch all of them, flock and mingle. A hug there, back pats, some laughs. Tate has a lovely laugh, good teeth too. He is still a looker, with a fine ass and a body I'm sure was meant for sin.

Good thing I've already had it because it would be hard to resist the temptation if I didn't.