I decide to drive the backroads into town to enjoy the scenic views and take my time, slowing down as I pass the Harrison farm. The cows are huddled about lounging leisurely. I wave at them as I pass by. The Harrison's farm is big and goes on for several miles; Mrs. Harrison sells dairy products and beef from their little white farmhouse. As I pass by, I see a colorful sign that says, there's a special on heavy cream. I make a mental note to tell Mama.

The old church comes up next, and it's a big white brick building with a big bell on top; it's near the two schools, the elementary and middle school, share a parking lot and huge playground. All of us kids knew when the bells went off at noon that it was time to hustle back into the school. A fond smile washes over my face at the memories.

As I drive towards the beach, I slow down past the duplexes. Hunter was right, they're about as worn down as they can get. Shame no one ever kept 'em up. 

I can still see the three of us sitting there on the curb, Hunter, Olly and me, and a sense of melancholy washes over me.

"Popsicles!" I cheer as Hunter comes out of the house holding three icy treats.

"There's only one red one." Hunter waves it around like a prize.

"Rock, paper, scissors?'" I suggest.

"That won't work. There's three of us," Olly says with an exaggerated eye roll.

"It will, and I'll win." Hunter looks smug, and I narrow my eyes.

"Will not!" I say stubbornly. 

"Only one way to see!"

"Fine." Olly grunts. 

"Ready, on three, one, two..."

"Rock!" I declare.

"Paper!" Olly yells.

"A bomb!" Hunter makes a huge noise. "I blew up everything. I win."

"Unfair!" I scowl at Hunter. 

"That's cheating!" Olly added.

"You're just mad I outsmarted you," Hunter accuses. "Green or orange?"

"Green," Olly mutters in a defeated voice, but he still eagerly opens it when Hunter hands it over.

"Here, Kinz," Hunter hands me mine and then plops down.

"You gave me the wrong one," I say as I open the wrapper to reveal the red one.

"Nah." Hunter opens the orange one. "I won it for you." 

"Show off," Olly scoffs. "I'd have done that too."

"Yeah, right," Hunter laughs as he plops down on my other side.

"Yeah, that was a lie," Olly agrees with a laugh. "Red is the best, what can I say?" 

"Here, Olly." I hand him my popsicle. "One bite."

He takes it and hands me the green one, and we each bite the tops off of them and then swap them again.

"Summer's almost over," I say sadly.

"I know," Olly says with a sigh; he looks past me over to Hunter. "Billy and all of them will probably want you to hang with them at school."

"I don't care what that bully wants. You two are my friends, and school ain't gonna change that."

"But you're all cool and fun; kids will like you," I point out. "You can't, not be friends with anyone else just cause me and Olly are outcasts."

"Kinz is right; that's not fair," Olly agrees.

"You know my ma and me had to move around a lot before we came here. I never really got close to any kids because we'd always leave, till now. You two are the closest friends I ever had," Hunter's eyes fill with emotion, and I feel a big lump in my throat. 

"I never thought I'd like anyone but Kinsey," Olly says with a smile. "But you're the coolest Hunter. It feels like we knew you all along."

"Yeah, it sure does," I say with a soft smile at Hunter. 

"No matter what happens at school, even If I hang out with other people, you two will always be my best friends," Hunter promises. 

"Promise?" I ask.

"I promise" He thrusts his free hand out to the middle, so it hovers over my lap.

I place my palm over Hunter's hand, and then Olly places his palm over mine. 

"I promise too, friends forever," Olly says. 

"Best friends forever," I declare. 

Tears are burning my eyes as the memory fades away like these duplexes soon will. I see a huge dumpster parked outside and a few trailers with the logo S&S Enterprise on them. That must be the fancy New York company Hunter talked about.

The sadness gives way to anger that someone has the nerve to come in and change our town like this. I wrinkle my nose up in disgust at the idea of condominiums being there. Doesn't even make a lick of sense! That would house so many people where they all going to work? But the rich company that bought everything up probably didn't think about all that; all they saw was land and a beach and got greedy. Not much different than my ex-husband. 

I speed up into main street, and the first thing I see when I get into town is more of them damn work vans with that S&S logo, only this time, they are sitting in front of the bookstore. My bookstore! It and the two stores on each side of it are covered by a big work tarp and a huge dumpster is sitting our front. I watch in horror as guys in hard hats walk out of the store and toss things into the trash.

"The hell do these people think they are?"

The duplexes were one thing, this feels like a personal attack and my blood is boiling. I park opposite the street and march over in a hurry. The door to the bookstore is propped open as the men carry things out.

"Ma'am, you can't go in there..." one of them says, a young thing, can't be more than twenty. 

  "The hell I can't. Where is the owner? Who the hell is in charge of this thing?" I demand as I storm inside what used to be called Haven's Book Nook. Everything is torn down, all the shelves and the big lounge area in the middle are all cleared out and full of dust. 

They destroyed it! My bookstore, our bookstore... gone. It's like a bullet to the heart. 

"Ma'am, you need to leave. You can't be in here." The hard hat man follows me, and I whirl around to tell him off. 

"Don't call me ma'am. I'm not that old. My name is Kinsey Abbot. I lived in this town my whole life and want to talk to whoever is in charge of this."

"Bryan, go take a beat. I got this."

A tall man with a deep, commanding voice walks into the room, and I take a small step back. He's older, much; his salt and pepper shaggy hair and the deeply etched lines on his handsome face tell me that. Yet he carries himself like a much younger man with his faded blue jeans and fitted flannel, a pack of Winstons in the front pocket; his sleeves are rolled up to reveal tanned and toned forearms.

"Kinsey Abbot, you say?" He says my name in a sing-song voice as if it amuses him, and I feel my anger heating back up. Thinks he can ride in here from New York and poke fun at the southern girl? He better think again.

"That's what I said." I stand firm with my arms crossed. "Are you in charge of this?"

"I'm in charge of the construction. Does that count?" He tilts his head.

"Are you the one that can stop this ridiculous thing and put my bookstore back?" I demand. My cheeks are flaming red, and I realize I may be a little unreasonable right now, but I don't care. 

"No one can do that, demolition is already well underway, and I'm sorry to tell you, but this isn't your bookstore."

"I didn't mean literally," I mutter.

"I see you're upset, and I'm sorry for that," he says in a softer tone. "But sometimes change can be a good thing. The owners of the old bookstore, for example. They sure needed the generous money they were offered. The plans, I think, will surprise you, pleasantly even. Why don't you come back in a few weeks when it's all done and see for yourself?"

Something about his voice feels strange, familiar in way that's nearly soothing, it's like a mix of commanding and calming, but that and his inappropriately attractive looks for his age, is unsettling. I put my guard up in a hurry as I take another step back. 

"Don't patronize me. What about the clothing store next to it?  Or the store on the other side, the—" My mind goes blank as I try to recall what it was.

He laughs. "See? You can't even remember what was here, it was a vitamin shop. That and the clothing shop were barely hanging on; they all benefitted from this."

"And the duplexes? You think it's okay to kick people out of their homes?" I challenge as I narrow my eyes at him.

"The rundown old duplexes sitting there wasting valuable land?" He counters as he leans oh so casually against a drafting table. "Land with a water view at that?"

"You all think you're so smart," I mumble as I shake my head. "You don't know a damn thing about this town. Had no business coming in here and thinking you did."

"That's pretty presumptuous of you, isn't it?" He arches an eyebrow.

"Nope and you'll see when you're building your fancy condos and no one wants to live in them!"

"Again, Miss Abbot, I see you're upset, and I'm sorry for that. Why don't you cool your head, come back in a few weeks..."

"Oh, I will," I promise in a low voice. "And don't worry, I'm leaving, but I need you to pass a message on to your boss for me before I do."

"My boss?" He looks to be holding back a laugh, and when he catches my dark glare, he thinks better of it and nods. "Okay, go on."

"You tell them when all this—" I glance around at the construction mess around, "is said and done, I better be standing in a bookstore. You'll learn the hard way about the duplexes, but the bookstore. I won't stand by and let it go. I will raise hell."

"There's really no need for—"

 ".. And" I continue. "They will regret the day they made an enemy out of me."

I feel satisfied, proud of myself as I finish until a smirk creeps over his cocky face.  "That's a lot to remember. Could you maybe write it down?" 

"Ugh!" I whirl on my heel and storm out of there. I wish the damn door wasn't propped open so that I could slam it. I blindy start rage-running across the street, until I come to a hard stop as I collide with a body.

"Whoa, lady, are you okay?" She stops as our eyes meet, her soft browns filling up with surprise. "Kinsey! I heard you were coming home."

"Brandi," I sigh as she lets me go, and I steady myself.

"What's with you? Your face is as a red as a tomato."

"I got into with the asshole foreman across the street," I spit out irritably as I shoot a glare in that direction.

"That hot guy? His name is James. He comes in for an Arnold Palmer sometimes. He is sexy as hell, and smooth, like dominating." She licks her lips as her eyes drift in that direction. 

"He's probably got twenty years on us."

"Never stopped me before," she mutters, grabbing my arm. "Come on, let's get a drink and cool you down. My shifts just starting."

"It's not even noon," I complain, even as I let her lead me inside. The other bartender Greg is taking off just as we walk in and offers me a quick nod as he hustles out. Brandi heads behind the bar and gets right to making me a drink, as I plop down in a stool, while my heartbeat slowly returns to normal. 

Brandi started working here at Haven's Lounge in her twenties and never left. Like Kris used to be, she's part of the bar now, in her own way. She's always standing there with a smile and some witty comments. She's as pretty as ever, her chestnut hair is cut to her chin in a stylish wavy bob, and she's wearing form-fitting jeans with a tight tee shirt, showing off her curvy figure.

"What did James say to get you so mad?" Brandi asks as she slides a margarita over to me.

"He didn't say anything. That's the problem. These people are ruining our town, and he looks all amused about it." I look at the frosty and delicious looking drink. "It's so early."

"Oh, come on, you're on vacation, right?"

"Try unemployed."

"Vacation." A firmer voice calls out, and my eyes light up with joy when I see Shar sitting at the end of the bar.

"Shar!" I pop up and run over, and she's quick to embrace me. Her hair is dyed a deep red, and I love it; it fits her personality; it's pulled into a loose bun. She's got her usual cowboy boots, jeans, and a tank top.

"So good to have you home, Honey," she squeezes me tight. "Kinsey's drink is on me, Brandi, and pour her a bump too."

"No bump!" I laugh as I sit back down, and Shar moves to sit next to me.

"Girl, just enjoy the time. You'll be working again soon enough," Brandi has the bottle out and pours three shots and hands them out. 

"Your grandson is coming by later. I'd rather not be drunk." I say as I hand mine over to a questioning Shar. She happily slams it, and then hers, and I laugh; some things never change.

"He'll be happy to see you; he's gonna to be big and tall like his daddy." She smiles wistfully as she drains her beer. I'd offer to bring her back to the farm, but she looks to be two going on three sheets to the wind. I assume Hunter doesn't want her around Harley like this.

"Anyway, Kinz, you sound like the old guys in town ranting about someone coming in and making changes," Brandi scolds. "Those stores needed a reboot and so did the duplexes."

"You're just saying that cause you want to, Oh Daddy, the foreman."

Shar bursts out laughing as Brandi shoots me a look. 

"I'm serious, Kinsey. When James was in here talking to Charlie about it, he said this will provide jobs here in town."

"A few, maybe," I shrug, "Not enough to support entire condominiums full of people."

"Yeah, that part seems pretty dumb," Brandi shrugs. "But if they come in here and tip. I welcome 'em." 

"Speaking of jobs, y'all hiring here?"

"Sorry no," Brandi says. "The only place hiring in town is the diner, but you can't work there."

"Sure can't," Shar agrees.

"Why not?"

"Amber works there."

"Oh," I nod slowly. "Yeah, I don't think she's too fond of me."

"Oh, she ain't," Shar laughs out loud.

"I was always nice to her," I can't help but defend myself and I was, I did try and build a bridge with that woman.

"Jealousy doesn't care how nice the girl is," Brandi points out. 

"She was not jealous of me," I laugh at the idea. "It was more like she didn't like me around, like she was so possessive of Hunter's time, and I wasn't worthy of it or something." 

"Such a toxic woman," Shar makes a face as she gets out of the stool. "And yes, she was jealous as hell. I got to piss." Shar starts dashing towards the bathrooms as she yells, "pour me another bump, will ya, Brandi?" 

Brandi pours her one but waters it down. "No girl with either of those boys ever felt secure, and for good reason. If anyone knows that it's me."

I cringe at that reminder; those were a tense handful of months, and yet somehow Brandi and I went from frenemies to actual enemies and then finally friends after it all. 

"This isn't high school, Brandi." 

"You don't get to tell me that. My knees remind me every day. Meanwhile, Sara is in gymnastics now and just drops into a split like it's nothing."

I laugh at that, "How are Sara and Johnny doing?

Brandi's never been married and has no kids, but she helps her sister-in-law with her brother Billy's kids. He got in trouble with the law a few years ago and has been locked up ever since. 

"They suck and I know I'm not supposed to say that, Kinz, but they do! Sara's a little snot, worse than I was at her age, I guess I have it coming."

"You were a brat." I don't sugar coat it. 

"She's so much worse," Brandi gripes. 

"How old is she now?" 

"Twelve, and Johnny is ten. He's a moody little shit, and I don't know what to do with him. He only wants to lie on the couch and look at his phone. It's got to be causing brain damage by now, but if I try and tell him to do something else, I'm the damn enemy."

"Where's Stephanie?"

"She's worthless. When she is home, she's stoned and too zoned out to give a damn."

"Christ, that sucks," I offer. "Sorry."

"I need a break, a night out, and so do you," Brandi muses. "You're freshly single, girl. We need to get out this weekend. There's a karaoke bar not even fifteen minutes out of town."

"I don't know..." I bite my lip; it's been a long time since I went out and I know how Brandi is; she'll have us surrounded by men in no time.

"Come on, Kinz," she begs. "Please?"

"Please, what?" Shar returns and pics up her shot, slamming it as she leans against the bar.

"I'm trying to convince Kinsey to go out this weekend," Brandi explains. "She's being stubborn."

"Honey, you are young and free; get out there! Have some fun!" Shar starts gyrating her hips around as she dances in place. 

"Settle down, Shar," Brandi rolls her eyes. "Kinz, I'm not taking no for an answer."

"I'll go, but no men, okay? Girls' night only."

"Promise," Brandi says with her wide-lying eyes. "Of course, we can't control it if some guys happen to be into us when we get there."

"Forget it," I shake my head.

"I was kidding!"

"I'm not ready," I mumble, "It feels so... divorced to be at the bar getting picked up and stuff."

Brandi's eyes soften, and she reaches over and pats my hand. "I get it. So, bring Hunter."

"What?" I question her, but it's not a bad idea...

"No one will hit on you if he's there, and then it's just a night out with friends," she offers and it sounds kind of nice, when she puts it that way. 

"He'll protect you," Shar says as she fishes her phone from her pocket. "I'll text him now."

"I can ask him myself," I laugh and take the phone from her as I look at Brandi. "I think I better get her home."

"Yeah, please do," Brandi agrees.

"I'll call you about this weekend."

"Good luck with her," Brandi snickers at Shar. "She's been thoroughly enjoying her new retirement."

"You can never have too much fun!" Shar cheers as she stumbles over her own feet.

"But you can have too much tequila," I say as I take her arm. "Come on. Let's get you home."

"Such a sweet girl, Kinsey," she says as she falls against me. "Should 'a been you."

**We go back to 1999 next, and we'll see more of the frenemy phase with Brandi, while we're there.😉  There may be two flashback chapters next depending on how long it gets. Hoping to post those by next weekend! This story has me so inspired!!