Chapter 2: Small Town Goodbyes

I traded a basket of eggs to Mrs. Carter at the edge of Maple Heights for thirty dollars.

She smiled teasingly at me. "Heard you folks are trading dirt roads for city lights. Guess you won’t be needing chicken eggs where you’re headed, huh?"

The Mr. Caleb she spoke of is my husband, Caleb Jennings—a rising star in the world of tech startups out in Boise.

Three days ago, he landed a huge deal and got scouted by a major firm. The company sent a car to bring him back to the city.

In front of everyone, Caleb announced he would take two people with him. But before that, he needed to tie up loose ends.

Everyone assumed those he’d take were me and our son, Mason.

But in truth, no.

Whether in my previous life or this one, I was never among those Caleb Jennings wanted to take with him.

I tucked the money into my jacket pocket, smiling half-jokingly, half-truthfully. "Caleb might be a big shot now, but I’m not. Without money, how can I get by?"

Besides, this money isn’t for the city. It’s my travel fund for leaving this place.

"That’s true, that’s true. Boise must be so fancy—there’s gotta be places to spend money." Mrs. Carter nodded, convinced by my words.

I didn’t respond further. After exchanging the money, I headed home, gravel crunching beneath my boots as I walked up the road shaded by the old oaks. The familiar hush of small-town life pressed in, but it no longer felt like it belonged to me.

Before I reached the front porch, laughter drifted out from inside.