Clumsily, not paying attention to where I was walking down the sidewalk, I accidentally bumped into an elderly woman. She was headed in the opposite direction. Without uttering a word, I caught the pointed glint she’d flashed. I ducked my chin and picked my feet up, hurrying along. Friendly locals in small towns were more myth than truth. I couldn’t recall a time when Sara and I didn’t get the evil eye.

This place was no different. By that old woman’s glint, I was inclined to believe that Sara and I had become the towns’ favorite gossip. I reckoned this whistle-stop didn’t see many newcomers like us. We sorta stuck out, miniskirt-wearing Sara and plain-Jane me. We were an odd pair, hands down.

Hence, only an hour into paving the dirt, I’d entered every shop and store on the main drag, filling out application, after application. I did my spiel, promising to walk dogs and cleaning bathrooms. But the Southern hospitality that I’d heard so much about must’ve gone fishin’. This town sucked! Unable to scarf down another gruff face and bitter tasting “we’re-not-hiring” excuse, I decided to take a break. I sighed feeling thirsty and crabby.

I knocked the agitated dust off my feet and pressed my way down the sidewalk, wondering where to head next. When my eyes landed on a sign a couple of doors down that read, “Mudbug Café,” I froze. Crap! That was Sara’s new job. The last thing I wanted was Sara catching me. With my luck, she’d put me on dish duty. I might be a lot of things, but one thing I wasn’t was free!

I glanced across the street and noted a bookstore. My hope heightened, and a faint smile teased the corners of my lips. Quickly, I made a beeline for it. I didn’t bother looking for cars. The traffic was practically nonexistent. Only a few busted up whoop-de-dos on threadbare tires were parked down the drag. How ironic? My car should fit in nicely here. That was a big if. Saving up the money for new tires might be a lost cause. On the flip side of the coin, if I didn’t get the money that meant we were stuck out here in nowhere land.