The end of summer, the air was thick. Always like this. It could be night and you'd feel comfortable walking around in shorts and a tanktop.
There was always a party. Someone had a keg. Now people didn't seem to drink as much. Not people her age.
A
small town
felt like the universe when you were in high school. But after college you realized that that universe belonged only to those under 21.
The rest of the world, after that felt lonely. Even when there were more people around. A lot of old people who stuck to themselves. Familiar faces who remained strangers at the stores and restaurants.
She would check some websites for some events happening. There were more websites but fewer events. She couldn't simply show up with the tanktop and shorts and find a party with a keg.
She spent evenings alone. Building
furniture
. Talking to old friends. Mostly texting them while reading articles online and watching shows.
Another 100 thousand miles, her dad had said with a smile. At least, he added. Her car had just gotten a timing belt replacement. And her car proudly thought it would go another 100 thousand.
She was hoping to have a new car by the end of her teaching contract in Owlville.
Summer wasn't over yet. She hadn't past one season here yet. And already she was looking forward to her next life. It didn't matter where it would be. She just knew she wanted a different car. And a different city. Someplace with more people. Someplace where you could dress up and go to a bar.
The weekend before the first day of school she sat outside in the dark heat. Looked up at the sky. And saw a light flash across. She wondered if it was an asteroid. But it obviously wasn't. Looked man made. Watching it made her incredibly lonely.
She considered knocking on her neighbors door. She considered going to the one bar that Owlville had. Why hadn't she done that? Instead she called one of her high school friends. Got the voicemail.