The Understorey, Book One of The Leaving Series by Fisher Amelie Page A

sit up, resign myself to doing
something outside. I promise myself that I am not getting out to
search for Elliott today but even I know that’s a lie. I push my
books from my lap and onto the bed and head to my dad's
study.
    “Pop? Want to walk into town with me?”
    “I would schnitzel but I’m swamped.” Schnitzel
is a nickname he gave me at two.
    “No prob Bob. I’m gonna’ go to Sadie’s shop
then. Take a look around. See if there’s anything good on the
shelves today.”
    “You know your mother hates it when you shop at
the thrift store.”
    “Yeah, but it’s the only place I can find
pre-loved jeans the way I like them loved.”
    “Alright, have fun.” I've been dismissed.
    I walk to Sadie’s and open her door.
    “Sadie?”
    Sadie is in her early thirties, never been
married, though I can't see why. I think I remember something about
her being in love with a boy from town and when he left town for
college he promised to return for her but never did. Tragic. I
can't see this in Sadie though. She's too independent and strong in
her self-worth. I bet it was more like she refused to wait and
ended up alone anyway. She never brought it up and I never asked.
Everyone has their secrets.
    “Yes, darlin’. I’m back here.”
    I head in the direction of her voice and stop
sharply in front of a wicked dark orange velveteen floor length
fitted jacket. I pick it up and toss it over my shoulders in front
of the mirror she has close to the front of the shop. I gasp. It is
the cutest thing ever and it fits me like it was tailored for
me.
    “No doubt I’m buying this today.”
    Sadie appears from behind a rack. I love
Sadie. She’s a kindred spirit.
    “I was wondering when you were going to pick
that up. Had a little bet going on with myself. You beat my
estimated date by three days.” She laughs. “Had to pry it out of
some young girl’s hands last week, probably one of those Bluefield
girls trying to be you.”
    Sadie holds this delusional notion that since
I am quirky the way she was in high school and she was popular
therefore it is safe to assume that I am popular as well.
        “Sure Sadie. Apparently
you haven’t heard, so I’ll enlighten you. The name Julia Jacobs is
synonymous with ‘Bluefield Pariah’.”
    “Nonsense.”
    “Sadie, Sadie, Sadie. It’s true.”
    “Hmmm,” she says.
I change the subject.
    “Do you know the Gray family Sadie?”
Awesome subject change Julia. You numb skull.
    “Mark and Shelby? Wasn’t their boy
Elliott your best friend growing up?”
That hit too close to home. My heart begins to ache.
    “Yeah.”
    “Well? What about them?”
    “Oh, nothing, just curious to know if you knew
them or not.”
    “Ohhh, I see. You’re smitten with Elliott
Gray.”
    “I am not! Why does everyone keep saying
that?”
    “I can just tell, always had a feeling about you
two kids. This is good Julia.”
    “No, it’s not,” I say.
Did I just admit to being smitten with Elliott Gray? To Sadie?
Out loud?
    “Yes, it is. Now come over here. I have
some awesome new jeans that just came in.”
I follow Sadie.
    “I saw him yesterday,” I whisper.
    “Who?” She teases.
    “You know who Sadie! Sheesh.”
    “Where?”
    “The grocery store. He did something
extraordinary.”
    “What? Did he use paper instead of
plastic?”
    “Hardy, har, har.” I swallow. “He helped a woman
in need.”
    “I’m not surprised. He was always such a
generous boy.”
    “She was with her baby and he bought them food
and supplies to last them awhile.”
    “That’s incredibly sweet Julia.”
    “I know,” I admit quietly, “and he did it while
keeping her dignity intact. I’ve never seen anything like it.” A
lump forms in my throat.
There he goes, affecting me again.
    I stick