town. Anyway, at least my brother was happy for me. I called Ryder and told him. He’s in Nashville trying to become a musician. Wonder if my dad questions his sexuality, not that they are speaking. I wish I could do what Ryder did and just drop out of school, get my GED, and live my dreams. Maybe when I’m seventeen, I’ll do that, what he did. Follow in my big brother’s footsteps. Not music, but acting. That’s what I want to do. It’s the best feeling in the world to make the audience happy. To get to be someone else for a little while.
The only bad part is, I have to kiss Josie Miller. Do you remember her at all? Looks like she’s gone to the tanning booth one too many times? Anyway, as soon as they posted the parts, she asked me to practice the kissing scene. I really don’t want to kiss her. My friends are never going to let me live that down. Plus, I’ve never really kissed a girl. You know, really kissed. You’re the only girl I’ve ever kissed. Shit, shouldn’t have said that. I wonder if you remember that kiss?
*
Cassette
Mae to Knox
Age Fourteen
YAY! I knew you’d get the part. I had no doubts. You’ll be great. I wish I could be there to see your debut.
Don’t you dare think about dropping out of school to become an actor. You know I like your brother, but Ryder had other reasons for leaving. I know you don’t like to talk about it, so I won’t, but stop thinking that way. You’re too smart. You can go to college and study acting.
As for Josie Miller, I don’t think they expect you to ram your tongue down her throat or anything. Just close your eyes, and think of someone else. Pretend it’s not her. That’s what acting is. Act like it’s someone you’d rather be kissing.
Hmm . . .
I do remember our kiss. It was my first. My only so far, too. It was just a peck on the lips the summer we met. The day I left, actually. We were only about five or six. I was leaving with my parents to go back overseas. I came over to your house to say goodbye. I was crying, which was so unlike me. I don’t cry when I leave places, usually. I’ve been leaving people and places my whole life, but for some reason, leaving you that day had me really upset. You told me not to cry, that I was your best friend, and you loved me. I said, “love you, too,” and asked you to kiss me goodbye. You did.
CHAPTER FIVE
Mae
Haven’s Point is a collection of young families with children looking to escape the expense of big city living and retirees looking to slow things down. The only twenty-somethings living here are either living with their parents or already married. The dating scene is practically non-existent. Most of the guys I’ve dated recently have been from the Denver area. Not having to worry about running into any ex’s is just another benefit to living here.
Riding my Tiffany Blue cruiser bike through town also goes into the plus category. People love to walk and bike here, so there are paths everywhere. It reminds me a lot of many European cities in that way. When the weather is nice, I like to ride my bike or walk places. Driving back and forth to Denver for work makes me want to change my address to Audi Q5. I had to cave and buy a new car after my beloved old VW Beetle died on me. I hated buying a new car, but with all the commuting, I had to get something reliable, even though I hated being all practical. Adulting sucks sometimes.
Strict local ordinances keep the integrity of the town square architecture intact. I’ve always thought the town name should be changed to Haven’s Village instead of Haven’s Point. We aren’t at the point of any river or mountain, but this place looks like a quaint village you’d find over in Europe with its intricate wood latticework, fences, and mom and pop stores. Of course, bigger businesses have moved in, “progress” invading our little neck of the woods, but the center of town remains the same, seeped in small town perfection.
The town is set up in a grid pattern, with little parks or green spaces at the center of each square. It’s common for people to picnic there,