Chapter 17: Percy

The renovations of the town square progressed just fine. Red Harding introduced me to a welder, a man called Paul that was dating one of his waitresses, and together we managed to make the courthouse clockwork work again. After that, I offered him to keep working with me. We also repaired the plumbing and cleaned the old fountain. Then, we restored Pioneer Square’s Historic sidewalks.

The Mayor was so pleased with our work, that he immediately assigned me a new project to renovate Middletown’s primary school. I also started getting small jobs from the locals too. People commented about what wonderful work I had done with Molly’s inn and the square. Without even realizing it, I was busier than expected and I had to assemble a local working crew with ‘Paul the welder’, as my new foreman.

The crazy, violent, and distracting big city life didn’t appeal to me anymore. In the city, every time I put my feet on the ground I remained oblivious of the connection I had with the earth beneath my shoes. The concrete and the thick layer of tar obstructed my senses from going deep down.

In Middletown, I experienced myself as a part of nature again. The wild natural setting engaged all my primal senses. The air smelled like pines, lavender, and freshness. I listened to the movement of the trees and grass around me and smelled and felt the energy of the mountains.

When I walked in the city, I walked with heavy, rushed, and unmotivated steps, with a strong desire to reach the destination as soon as possible. In the city, it was considered rude to acknowledge another person’s presence as you were going about your business. In Middletown, it was rude if you didn’t.

Laura and I continued sharing a bed, but we were also sharing our lives. She used to fall asleep in my arms. I’d been awake for the last hour watching her sleep and thinking.

She was an early bird like me. I loved to lie on my stomach, watching her getting dressed. When she finished, she sat at my side and said, “I know you are awake, Percy. You’re not snoring. I want to talk with you before you go to work and I get busy with the inn.”

I got up, sat on the edge of the bed, held her hand, and looked at her.

“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, Laura?” I said, kissing her cheek.

“Many thoughts are running through my head right now.”

I leaned forward and kissed her nose. “It’s my job to make you happy and if I’m not doing my job then I need to know what’s wrong so I can help you. Now tell me, Laura, what’s with the frown?”

“It’s difficult to put it all into words, but I’ll try.” She looked at me and said with a voice full of concern, “Do you truly want to stay here with me, or are you planning to go back to the city at some point?”

I looked at Laura pondering my words before answering.

“When I came here, I didn’t have a plan, except helping you to get out of depression.”

“I’m not completely out of the woods, but I think I’m seeing the light.”

“I know, I’m truly happy for you.” I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a tight squeeze. That said, the thing is I like it here. I’m working almost as much as I’d have worked in the city. The people here are nice and friendly. Middletown is a great place to grow a family.”

“What are you saying?”

I looked at her into her eyes, “I’m saying that I am in this for the long haul.”

“Then it wasn’t just pity or guilt? Because if so, I feel much better now. You can go back to your life.”

“I’m here because I want to be with you. Thing is, I’m not sure I want to go back to my previous life. I won’t lie to you, our relationship had a very rough start. The loss of a child is one of the hardest things life can throw at a couple. It has been an emotional roller-coaster. I get it, this isn’t how it was supposed to be. One thing I learned is that life is messy, and sometimes things just fall apart. When that happens, you pick up the pieces and you keep going. I can understand the concept of running away and wanting to be alone with your pain. However, I’m glad we saw past that, and stubbornly held on to what was left of us.”