“Up to you, babe,” he said. “I think it’s perfect for what you want to set up though. The space is good, the location is great.”
“I know, yeah.” I was brimming with excitement as I turned back to Ned. “We’ll take it as long as I can get a refrigerated case.”
“Okay, I’ll let the owner know and get back to you,” Ned said.
We thanked Ned and left the empty store. I squeezed Archie’s arm. “I’m so excited. Let’s go celebrate!”
“I already found the perfect place,” he replied as we walked to our car. “I saw it when I was coming home today. It’s right past the school. Robin was talking about it the other day.”
“Let’s go!”
We drove the short distance, and just before the school, turned on a paved lane with a large sign at the end that read Poplin Chicken. The lane led into a wooded area and then turned into a sizable parking lot. There was a large red and white building emblazoned with Poplin Chicken on the side, and an enormous red and white chicken statue stood at the front door. The building extended to a large, enclosed patio overlooking a miniature golf course with many tiny lakes and tiny bridges going across them.
I looked at Archie and laughed. “What is this place?”
“Best barbeque chicken in Poplin, so I’ve been told,” he said. “Let’s go try some.”
I smiled and we exited the car, holding hands as we paused at the enormous chicken statue, at least ten feet tall, and went inside. They had a takeout window, an ice cream window, and an entrance to the restaurant. Good to remember if we ever wanted some ice cream sundaes or quick takeout chicken. The restaurant was cafeteria style, a bit odd, but after sitting down and digging into our chicken and potato filling, and carrots, I had to admit their chicken was fantastic. So good.
“Do you love it?” Archie asked, wiping his greasy chicken lips. “Robin was right about this place.”
“Totally,” I said, surveying the restaurant. “This place is busy. I wonder who supplies their vegetables.”
“Maybe you could?”
“Maybe next year, I don’t think I’d have the quantity for this place though.”
“Something to check out,” Archie said. “I think I’m going to enjoy this new school.”
I smiled. “I’m so glad. I want to come in and help you set up your classroom when it’s time.”
“Yes, I’d love that, but we don’t have to think about that for another month and a half,” he replied.
“Robin came by today. She brought us cookies,” I remarked.
“She said she was going to visit. I like her too. I think she’ll be fun to work with. She has a lot of energy.”
“She sure does… and she’s your mentor?” I raised my eyebrows.
He laughed. “Does that bother you?”
I put my hand on his. “Not really. I just like to tease you.”
“It’s good I like being teased by you,” he replied with a grin that melted my insides.
“I’m glad we’re getting settled here. Even with the shock of Angela’s murder, I think this is the right place for us. The right place to start our life together.”
“Me too,” Archie agreed.
I savored this moment, sitting in a strange chicken restaurant in the middle of nowhere. There was a time when I didn’t think I had any type of future ahead of me. Always running from the past. Now I was Mrs. Archie Greencastle. I was safe and whole. Archie and I were lost souls before we found one another. Neither of us had any family, and few friends. My parents died when I was seventeen; I had Aunt Lou after they passed, but she was gone now too. Archie’s family was his mother and sister, and they’d died in a car accident, a few years before we met. We married at the courthouse, just the two of us. Us against the world. I rather liked it that way. Sometimes we give our trust, our friendship, our love to people that didn’t deserve it, or used it. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
I learned from my mistakes.
EIGHT2023
Aimee
The summer moved quickly, and we were into July before I knew it. I was so busy setting up the store, with Archie’s help, weeding and watering the garden. The plants took off in the rich soil much to my delight. Red, plump tomatoes hung heavy on the fuzzy, thick green vines. Plants sprouted, growing green beans, sugar peas, tall green stalks bursting with Silver Queen sweetcorn. And my blossoming friendship with Robin grew, as well.
I liked Robin. She was high energy and so much fun. She made me laugh, pretty much every time we hung out together, which was often. She usually visited us, but I went over to her parents’ house from time to time. They had a lovely dairy and alpaca farm. I enjoyed watching the alpacas playing in the fields together, such sweet animals. My favorite was a girl with light brown fur and the most soulful eyes named Belinda. Such an affectionate girl whenever someone petted and talked to her. An absolute sweetheart.
Robin had horses too. I had taken riding lessons as a child and rode horses in my early twenties for a time. Getting back into riding exhilarated me. Sitting atop a beautiful, strong horse, galloping across the fields, wiped away any worries plaguing me at the time. I was free and living in the moment.
Today, July 23rd, was opening day for Poplin Fresh, my little market. Archie and I had stocked the shelves yesterday and everything was ready to go. I was a bundle of nerves all night, hoping opening day would go well.
I put my coffee cup in the sink and walked outside. Archie fed the chickens in their coop behind the barn at the right of the house. I watched my feathered girls pecking away at the feed.
“Fourteen eggs today,” he said, walking out of the coop holding a full basket. “These chickens lay a lot of eggs.”
“Lucky for us,” I remarked. “Let me clean them off; I’ll take them to the store with me.”
“I’ll do it, I’m going with you anyway,” he said. “Can’t miss opening day.”
“If you insist.” I smiled, following him inside.
I walked around the store, arranging things, making sure everything looked just right. Bright strawberries, plump blueberries, carrots, tomatoes, peas, green beans, and cucumbers filled the display areas. The refrigerated case was fully stocked with brown eggs and some strawberry pies I’d made. Another display area showcased my homemade strawberry jam, and assorted fruit pies, apple, cherry, and blueberry.
“This is it,” I said to Archie excitedly. I unlocked the front door and looked at him expectantly. Nobody came in. I hadn’t expected a big rush, of course, but I had hoped for a few people to be excited about the store opening.
