Tartosan Sun: Journeys

Chapter Seven:

The morning air was thick and heavy. The humidity laid a thin dew across the greenery along Magnolia Promenade. It sparkled on the marigolds, periwinkles, and hibiscus that lined the streets of the district. They were just a few of the hallmarks of this crossroads of the city. There were the flowery trees that gave their name to the district. There were old brick streets and cobblestone sidewalks. It all harkened back to the old world influences that were incorporated into Willow Creek’s architecture when it was founded centuries ago. If you looked to the north you could clearly see the gleaming downtown skyline looming in contrast. The old paddlewheel steamship that was moored nearby added a nostalgic and romantic touch. It was a hidden gem for the locals, and the perfect location for a place like Broussard’s.

Danielle had been feeling lost creatively. She felt like the spark had gone missing since earning her literature degree. She grabbed a seat on the patio, and settled down with her favorite caramel latte before the bookstore opened.

Her mother had nurtured her creativity. Their art forms were different, but some things are universal among creative minds. Her mom preached the three P’s, passion, patience, and perseverance. As she enjoyed the sweet, salty indulgence she remembered something her mother had once told her. The memory came so vividly and fit her current dilemma.

“Mom, have you ever, you know…like, felt like you’ll never have another idea for a painting?”

“Sure sweetie. It happens. Why do you ask?”

“I have this, like, really tough creative writing assignment. And I just can’t find anything that, you know, inspires me. What’s wrong with me?”

“There’s nothing wrong with you sweetie. Things like this just happen sometimes. Never doubt your gift Danielle. Every artist has a moment, or moments, in their life where they feel like the spark is gone. It can feel like the spark will never come back. It will, but you can’t give up. Surround yourself with things that you love and that inspire you. Open yourself up to them and your spark will find its way back. I promise you honey, every creative block works itself out.”

 She finished the last of her latte and went to work, but not before savoring the last thin stream of caramel syrup that had settled to the bottom of the cup.

 Working here wasn’t what she had in mind for her life. In her dreams she already had a book deal and a little buzz around her name by this point. Her lack of a deal, and that unfinished story she started during her final year at Foxbury, all added up to that feeling she’d had, the unspoken fear, that she’d lost her creativity. Why else hadn’t she written the book that would land her that deal she wanted so badly? The memory of her mother’s advice left her feeling hopeful, rejuvenated. As she went about her day she also began to feel like somehow, in some small way, this cute little bookstore was one of the keys to unlocking her dreams. She was here for a reason.

She stepped off the streetcar and started towards home. The stop was just a few blocks from the house and it was a fun way to get to and from work when the weather wasn’t too bad. The first couple blocks between the stop and home were full of bars and restaurants. Buildings in most of the old parts of the city only had ceiling fans so doors and windows were propped open to catch what little breezes they could. The aromas fueled her hunger. Summer had texted instructions to her and Liberty on how to heat up the meal she’d left them. 

Thoughts of Summer’s delicious red beans and rice put a spring in her step. She distracted herself from her hunger by rolling over fresh ideas she’d had for that unfinished love story in her mind. She turned the corner in front of the house, and a familiar voice made her mental bubble go ‘pop!’ 

“Hey Danielle!” Travis was standing next to their mailbox. He smiled like old times. His tone was confident and carefree. His body language saying he was expecting one of the friendly hugs she always had for him back in the day. “How ya doing?” he said, the confidence in his voice beginning to slip just a little.

Danielle smiled back, it was a thin, guarded smile. Her body language left no doubt, there weren’t going to be any hugs. “I’m good. You?” The smile on her face didn’t extend to her eyes. There was a subtle iciness to her words as well.

It had been two weeks since Travis moved in. Since then he’d been friendly enough, waving and smiling when he spotted them. But that’s as far as he’d gone. Up to now he hadn’t even crossed over to their side of the street. To the ladies it felt like he was conspicuously avoiding it.

“Good. I’m…good” he stammered. “Work is great. I’m an e-gamer…I do game design on the side too. So…what have you been up to?” The conversation was quickly becoming awkward, entirely for him. He continued trying to force a cheerful tone. Between the heat, her hunger, and the fact that Travis still hadn’t offered anything like an apology, even a half-hearted totally phony one, her mood was souring. The conversation had become entirely one-sided. 

Travis spluttered to a halt. He was fully aware that things were going off the rails. He searched his mind for something to get Danielle to warm up to him. To act like the Danielle he remembered. “Look, this is really awkward” he said after finding nothing. “And you’re not exactly making this easy.”

“What!?” Danielle nearly screamed. She certainly wanted to. “You didn’t just break Summer’s heart, you crushed it! No apologies, no explanations, you refused to talk to any of us. We reached out and you ignored us. Now you suddenly drop back into our lives and we’re supposed to make things easy for you?!? You have some nerve.”

“What can I say,” He shrugged his shoulders, embarrassment dawning on his face, then added, “I screwed up…”

“You can start by saying I’m sorry. You really owe Summer a huge apology. You owe all of us an apology, but you owe her most of all.”

“Look, I just want to be friends again. I miss you guys. What do I gotta do to make it happen?”

“Weren't you listening? I just told you what you need to do! I shouldn't have to tell you, it should be obvious. The first step to rebuilding our friendship is an apology. A sincere apology, and then an explanation. Some wrongs could be made right with a simple I’m sorry. But not this.” Danielle quickly explained that now was not the time to have this conversation. She was tired, hungry, and the heat was stifling. She wanted to get rid of him before he completely wrecked her mood.

 “I'm not saying we can't possibly be friends again. Maybe we can. But you have a lot of work to do to make things right first. And it appears you still have some growing up to do too.”

“I’m sorry. Look I’ll be in touch. I really do want to make things right. Just let me know when you’re all ready to talk.”

As Travis turned and headed home Liberty pulled up. She usually made it home before Danielle, but a meeting with Bella had kept her late. “What did he want?” Liberty asked as she stopped beside Danielle.

“He wants to rekindle our friendship.”

“Oh is that so?” Liberty said, “What did you tell him?”

“That nothing happens until he apologizes to Summer, and us. And he owes all of us an explanation too.”

 “Oh Lord, that I gotta hear!” Liberty said sarcastically.