*Update - a really creative lyric video of Busted Heart is now included at the end of this chapter. Are you sick of these updates yet? Too bad, more are on their way...
Busted Heart (Hold on to Me) - for king and country
Finally. After what seemed like a week, Hope turned onto Highway 1 passing through the town of San Luis Obisboe (SLO to all the locals). She thought she should take a day trip back here while she was in the area. Morro Bay was only another 30 minutes north. She really liked this little college town. Cal Poly San Luis was nestled between lush hills in the north part of the town. It was also known for its Mission, and the incredibly gaudy hotel, The Madonna Inn. Hope's family had visited the hotel to walk around once. There's a weird golden sink in the men's bathroom that everyone seems to know about, so women are constantly trying to sneak in to see it. Hope thought that was pretty ridiculous, even as a kid, and refused to go in with her mom when they were there. No matter, her mom had taken a picture and showed it off. Hope chuckled and shook her head at that memory.
As her car rounded the bend and headed up the rolling hills, still a wheat color of grass due to the severe drought, she could make out a darkened sky up ahead. She always found it strange that the areas surrounding her favorite destination were sunny and warm whereas the Rock was under constant cloud cover.
Morro Rock was a favorite spot for Hope and she knew that she would make a stop there sometime that day. It was surrounded by the ocean she loved so much and was never crowded, two huge positives in her world. Checking the clock, she saw that it was still early, only 2pm, which was a pleasant surprise. She had thought she would arrive closer to 4, considering traffic( which never materialized) and stopping for gas and food(she only "stopped" for gas, her Starbucks and lunch were drive through). Hope was glad to have time to spare.
With anticipation building, Hope pulled off the highway and onto the road leading her to the campground. The road wound through protected marsh land that lay just south of the site. She drove the winding road, remembering the many times she had done this with her family. After a few minutes she could make out the 5th wheel that was Diane and Ethan's home and which marked the entrance to the camp ground.
Hope pulled the car to the side of the road to park and got out, headed to knock on the door to Diane's home. The butterflies were going nuts and she wondered if her shaky legs would make it to the door. She really hated knocking on doors, talking to people she didn't know very well, asking for help. She would rather be lost than ask for directions, and being late was better than asking the time. Then she remembered that she was alone, not with Angela as Diane expected. Maybe she forgot about Angela.
Just as she was about to knock, the door suddenly opened, startling Hope's already fragile state of mind. "Hope! I'm so glad you decided to come this year, last summer wasn't the same without your family here!" Diane grabbed Hope into a tight embrace which made her feel completely nervous but also safe, so strange.
"Hi" was all she could get out. Diane kept hugging her for a few more seconds, then let go and leaned back a bit to look into Hope's eyes.
"Where's your friend?"
Oh no. "Um, she couldn't make it" Hope gulped. Diane raised her eyebrow.
"Okay, I lied. I really wanted to come and my mom wouldn't let me without anyone but I couldn't get anyone to come with me so I told her Angela would." Hope was out of breath after that string of excuses. Diane gave her a sad smile
"Please don't tell my mom. I promise I'll tell her the truth soon, and you're here so I'm not really alone...and I am 18 now...Please!?" Hope couldn't believe she had been so vocal. She hardly said that much to her own family, but something about Diane made her feel like she could spill her guts and it would be okay. She even pleaded with Diane, which she never did, ever.
Diane was in her mid forties, a few inches taller than Hope, and always had a smile. She was friendly with all of the campers, and she seemed to have a lot of regulars returning annually. She had dark hair like Ethan but not his blue eyes, hers were dark brown. The gray in her hair was prominent against the dark curls that framed her face. She looked tired, but content.
"Ok, Sweetie, your secret's safe with me. Just promise you'll check in with your mom and let her know you're safe. And tell her soon, I'm sure she'll understand." Diane clearly didn't know Hope's mom that well. "By the way, how is Lisa?"
"She's good, busy with her job...and her life." Hope looked down as she added that last part. She wasn't sure what Diane already knew, and she really didn't want to open that can of worms yet.
"Well, we can catch up later, you need to call her and get set up. I saved the site right next to me so you would be close. And don't hesitate to stop over if you need anything. I'd be happy to spend some time with you." Diane gave Hope a warm smile and another big hug. Hope just knew that she was in a safe place with Diane and realized she would be spilling her guts, sooner than later.
As Diane stepped out of the door, Hope pulled out her phone and called her mom. The call lasted exactly 1 minute, typical, with no elaboration:
Mom: when did you get there?
Hope: just now
Mom: did you check in with Diane?
Hope: yes, she gave me (oops, I meant "us", ugh) the site right next to her motor home
Mom: did you hit much traffic?
Hope: no, actually none at all.
Mom: are you sure, there's usually so much in Santa Barbara.
(Really mom, I just said no. Doesn't she think I know what traffic is?)
Hope: yes I'm sure.
Mom: okay, call me tonight, bye
Hope: bye
No questions about Angela, even after her slip up. Thank goodness because after talking with Diane she wasn't sure she could keep lying. She gulped, realizing she would have to fess up soon, too soon. Hope sighed and walked over to the trunk of her car and gathered her bags. Well, let's keep moving forward.
Hope got started with setting up camp. She pulled out the small tent that she and Brad used to share. Luckily for her it was a pop up style, meant for one person to set up. She cleared the ground of rocks or pine cones and pitched the tent. She didn't need to set up a campfire but she did get a lantern and flashlight ready for the evening. She got the inside prepped with her sleeping bag and a few extra blankets, anticipating the cold night temps. It wasn't as hard as she thought to get everything done. Helping her dad all those times had paid off after all.
With her tent and sleeping situation prepared she got her bags put away as well. Her anxiety had caused her to way over pack. She probably had two weeks worth of clothes for a three day trip. She felt pretty silly when she carried the heavy bag to her tent, but she told herself she was prepared. For what, she wasn't sure.
She walked back to Diane's place and knocked again. Diane was at the door almost instantly. "Hi again! Need something?" She always had the biggest smile. Hope wondered what it would be like to be that happy all of the time.
"No, I just wanted to let you know I was going to head downtown. I thought my mom would want me to tell you." Hope explained.
"Okay sweetie, have fun! Stop by when you get back. We can chat if you'd like."Diane smiled with bright eyes. Other than her son, Ethan, Diane was alone. Hope wasn't sure what had happened with his dad, and wasn't about to ask. But that did make her wonder about Ethan.
"Okay, if it's not too late, I will. By the way", Hope swallowed her fears and spoke up, "is Ethan around?" She thought she might pass out.
"No, he's in SLO, been living there about a year now. He comes back every couple weeks for a visit. I wish it was more, considering it's only a half hour away!" She finished with a chuckle.
Hope felt her stomach fall. It suddenly occurred to her that she had been hoping to see him without consciously thinking it. She felt like crying and was as surprised by that as she had been by her sudden revelation. Did she "like" him? She wasn't sure but something about him did appeal to her. Even though she was a complete nervous wreck around him, and she had no idea what to say, and her mouth went completely dry...One thing was certain, she felt worse now than she did before she knew Ethan wasn't here.
"Oh, okay"
Are we back to two word phrases again?
Be quiet!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Author's notes
Poor Hope, no Ethan after all... Looks like she was hoping to see him. Are you curious about how he's doing? You'll just have to wait and see ;-)
Notes on chapter title - busted heart(hold on to me)
Doesn't that just describe Hope and the feelings she immediately had for Diane? Hope is a mess, mostly because of her arch nemesis, fear. Diane will become that safe place for her to rest, and let it all out. The song is really a cry out to God, someone who is hurting and needs guidance, love, help...all of it. Have you noticed that my taste in music is quite eclectic?
10/18/16 - did you know that For King and Country has a song out called Priceless AND a movie by the same name? It is currently the #1 indie movie in the country!
Enjoy this great lyric video...