#john digby

“Does it get easier… with time?” She asked.

That’s what everyone had told Frank, it would just take time. “Yeah… yeah,” he nodded reluctantly. “At first I tried to avoid every place we went together but if I continued to do that, I wouldn’t go anywhere. And what would that do to my kids? I want us to celebrate the places she enjoyed. Never forget ‘em. Never forget the way she’d smile out here on the water. She had a great smile.”

Mel liked the way he talked about his wife. How wonderful it must be to experience a love so deep that it sunk into your bones like marrow. A love that grounded you like the roots of the tupelo trees surrounding them.

“Been trying to stay busy and keep my head down ever since,” he said, eyes in his lap and then they flashed at her. “Last few weeks though, I can’t help but look up.”

Mel’s pulse quickened. This was more than just a breezy afternoon joy ride in Frank’s canoe. The tension between them had been building since she arrived in Southport. She was surprised how familiar and comfortable she’d become at his truck stop general store, with his grumpy, old uncle Digby and adorable children, 8-year-old Tanner and 6-year-old Penny.

The whole point of running away was to keep her head down. Not let anyone in. Not trust anyone. So why was it that when she looked far into Frank’s sapphire eyes, something was pulling her to do the opposite?

“You decided if you’re sticking around for a while?” He asked, his meaning very deliberate.

Mel shrugged her shoulders. “Taking it day by day.” She let out an uncomfortable laugh. “Sorry, that’s such a nothing answer.”

“No, it’s okay if it’s the truth. If that’s how you feel—”

They were distracted by the ripple of a passing turtle.

“No big plans right now… just living in the moment. Ugh, listen to me,” she groaned, covering her face with her hands. “I sound like my therapist.”

Frank laughed. “Hey, I’m not knocking it. I tried it for a bit.”

“Yeah?” Mel dropped her hands, revealing flushed cheeks, so pink and round he couldn’t stop staring at them. “What did you take from it?” 

He hummed, picking up his paddle. “Um… to hold onto what truly matters and let the rest go ‘cause it’s just noise.”