The Locals Series

BOOK ONE: TAILGATES & TRUCK DATES, LOCALS #1 Athens has only two stoplights-another of the 4,724 reasons I want to leave this town. I glance at the dashboard clock. I'm twenty minutes earlier than usual. Although I'm sitting at a red light now, I know stoplights won't help me pass the time. Athens is a quintessential small, rural town. My mother was born and raised here. My father was born and raised here. As were their parents and most of the town's population. 'The Locals', as I like to refer to them, love everything about Athens. They plan to always stay in Athens-this is not my goal. When the light turns green, I decide to treat myself to breakfast as I have nothing else to do. I pull into the busy parking lot of our one and only grocery store. I prefer the store's bakery department donuts over gas station pastries. My stomach growls as I exit the car. Maybe I will allow myself two donuts this morning. Breakfast is not a meal I usually consume. I enjoy my lunch, dinner, and snacks in between. I'm not a morning person, and usually don't allow myself time for breakfast. I pay for my donuts and milk to wash them down, then I return to my car. I enjoy one sweet pastry ring before exiting the grocery parking lot. I park beside Adrian in the high school parking lot. “Madison, you're early," Adrian greets. When she lowers her squeaking tailgate, we hop up to await the arrival of the rest of our group of friends. The metal is cool against my thighs at the hem of my shorts. I'm glad I didn't wear the sundress I had laid out for today. Kicking my legs forward and back, I glance at Adrian's cell phone as she sets a reminder for after school. Her calendar for the day is cluttered from 3:30 on. I smile, loving that her dream of owning her own business is coming to fruition. “I had a craving for donuts." I explain my early arrival. She's no fool. She knows about my mom and home life. She knows I needed to escape. I attempt to put the focus back on her. “Why are you so early?" “I'm having trouble sleeping. All I can think about is opening my shop." She can't subdue her wide smile. “I'm constantly making notes and jotting down ideas. Would you like to go with me to garage sales in the morning before school? I need to start gathering inventory." For three months she's focused on paperwork, city and state forms for licenses, opening bank accounts, and securing a storefront for her resale shop. She recently set her tentative opening date, and now she's afraid she won't have the inventory she needs to open. “Before school?" “I've mapped out a few garage sales that open tonight at 5:00. Troy and Bethany plan to go to them with me. I've found four that open between 6 and 7:30 in the morning." My interest grows as she explains. “We'll just look for anything I can turn a profit on and leave my name and number for anything they have left over when they close their sale." “If you provide the donuts and caffeine, I'll join you." Adrian wraps me in an embrace while thanking me. I've already helped quite a bit in the planning stages, and I will continue to assist as she opens. Adrian opens her Notes App, then lists her upcoming tasks with me. All eight of us assist her as best as we can. Winston, and I are the most involved. Winston through his involvement in his family's theater, knows more about the business side of things. I'm a planner and creative helper. Adrian chose one of my ideas to name her shop. “Next Thursday and Friday are free trash pickup days in Athens," I mention. “We should pair up in teams of two with the trucks, divide the town, and pillage each morning and afternoon. I've seen everything from furniture to clothes sitting on the curb in years past." “That's a fabulous idea." I offer to plan our attack and direct the group for Adrian. A knowing smirk graces her face. She's very aware I will plan the outing as if I'm preparing an army at war. “So, how was the rest of your night with Canton? I can't believe the two of you ducked out of the movie before the halfway point." I elbow her. Adrian sighs deep before reliving an encounter she seems to have forgotten in less than twelve hours. “He may be eye-candy, but Canton is lacking, if you know what I mean." “Seriously Adrian, you are so hard on guys. Nobody is perfect, even you." “Please." She begins to explain her rating system. “When he kisses, his lips and mouth are too soft. They are like wet spaghetti noodles. He likes to lick and not in a hot, turn-me-on way. He's like a cow at the salt block. He doesn't believe in foreplay; he just gets naked and attempts to mount." A shiver of revulsion quakes through her. She holds up her thumb, inspecting it. “Yep, not much bigger than my thumb. It was all I could do to pretend it was fun when we parted ways." I shake my head at her. “You probably scared the poor guy. You know not all men want a dominant woman." “I wasn't even worked up enough to need my vibrator when I got home. I wish I would have stayed for the whole movie and parted ways alone when you did." We joke about the night a bit more. Adrian notices my eyes focus on the far corner of the lot. She turns her head to find Hamilton and Troy approaching in their trucks. Within minutes, all nine of us will be here, visiting, joking, and dreaming of our graduation only a week away. Adrian asks, “Mind if I share a few things with you to see what you think?" When I nod, she begins. She scrolls through her cell phone for her Notes app to share with me. “I thought I would open the store 11 to 6 on Wednesday through Saturday. I'd be available 4 to 6pm on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday for the community to drop off items they no longer want. Then, I could use Mondays and Tuesdays to prep the items, display them in the store, or work on updates to social media and advertising." Adrian anxiously looks to me for input. “I like it. I'm glad you planned times the store is closed for you to get stuff ready. I worried you might try to help customers while you worked on new items, stretching yourself too thin." I nod decisively. “I think this schedule will work." I hope my words are exactly what she needs to keep her motivated. Adrian squeezes my hand in thanks. My friend is a strong, competent woman. I know she will rock at running her own business. She knows she can do it. With opening day drawing near, she's faltering a bit in her confidence of her abilities. I attempt to provide her with affirmation that she can do this.