Faye lazily opened the car door and swung her feet onto the hot concrete. Her kitten heels rocked underneath her feet, as the old, gravelly rocks crushed underneath her. She tossed the coils on top of her head, despite her mother's plea to tie them up. She couldn’t imagine keeping them bundled up; she loved the way the summer sun reflected off the deep darkness of her hair. It was freeing to her. Especially since she was going to spend hours at a church retreat in the middle of nowhere, South Georgia. Faye gazed upon the old mansion where the South Georgia Baptist Retreat had been held for over sixty years. It’s beautiful, old, large, windows, that let the rays of the sun turn each room yellow, and it’s giant wrap-around porch, connecting to giant white pillars, and hand handcrafted wooded door, always made Faye feel nostalgic for a love story she never had. On the backside, there was a big porch swing that Faye would look up into, and pretend she was one of the mourning doves in the trees above. Supposedly, this house wasn’t a plantation home, but that was still up for debate. Faye decided to believe that it was built after slavery, and that it belonged to millionaires. This was Faye’s twentieth year going to the South Georgia Baptist Retreat, which made her feel like an elderly woman, considering that was her age. That is something only old people say, right? Faye gazed at the twisted branches of the trees in the woods behind the house. She wondered what adventures it held for her this year.
“Faye, honey, let’s go! Stop looking at that old forest and hurry up! We have people to see and greet!” Faye's mom said as she grabbed her father’s hand.
For her mother, everything was an opportunity for an appearance. Every moment mattered, and every article of clothing had to be pressed to perfection. Which is why Faye’s hair was a particular concern, as it did not match the sleek, straight hair of her mother and the neatly edged haircut of her father. This was the year Faye decided to go natural, and her mother nearly had a coniption. But this was how Faye could be free, and she wasn't going to let anything stop her. Even today, with every important person in the Southern Baptist circle in one room, looking at her.
“I’m coming, Mom!” Faye said, adjusting the thin straps on her lavender dress. The compromise she made was to match her parents in wearing shades of purple, despite it being her least favorite color.
As her parents opened the doors and entered through the long foyer into the giant ballroom, Faye immediately scanned the room for Griffin. Her best friend from a distance was what she always called him. They met every year at the retreat. Without him, Faye would have been miserable in a sea of boring conversations. Every year, they would meet up, scarf down food, and sneak to the woods behind the mansion. Griffin would always steal desserts from the kitchen before it was time for them to be served. When it was time to leave, they always did their signature handshake and promised to talk weekly, which they faithfully did.
Faye pulled out her phone and texted Griffin that she was in the ballroom. As soon as she tried to escape, her mother grabbed her arm and pulled her in front of the Rollen’s, the organizers of the retreat.
“Faye, look at you!” Mrs. Rollen said, “You look just as beautiful as ever. Oh, and look at your hair! Just stunning. I’ve loved seeing your posts online, they are so pretty!”
“Just a doll!” Mr. Rollen said.
“Thank you, Mrs. and Mr. Rollen. You should say that to my mom.” Faye said smartly.
Her mother tightened her lips and forced a smile. Her father looked between them, uncomfortable,
and tried to smooth the tension.
“Faye has always had her own voice and style, just like her mother.” He said, awkwardly.
“That she has.” Her mother said, without looking away from Faye.
Faye narrowed her eyes and felt her heart grow heavy in her chest. Why was this so hard for her?
“Tony, Andrea! There you are!”
Faye’s parents turned around and looked saw a tall, happy, couple walking toward them.
“Joanie, Austin! Hey guys how are you? I was just looking for you.” Faye’s father said.
Joanie ran up to Faye and embraced her in her arms.
“Oh, look at you Faye, my love.” Joanie said, grabbing Faye’s hands. “You look beautiful. This hair is you. It’s like your the best version of yourself. Don’t you think Andrea?”
“I mean, I just wish it was a little tamer.” Faye’s mom said pushing down on her hair.
Faye swatted her mother’s hand away, and fluffed the spot it touched.
“Tamer!? That’s not Faye, That’s Tobias! I swear I gave birth to two sons that could not be more different. You know I’ve always said Tobias was actually your son, and Faye was my daughter.”
“And where does that leave Griffin?” Faye’s father said jokingly.
“Oh you know Griff, He’s always been his own man!” Austin said.
“Where is Griffin?” Faye said scanning the room again.
“Not sure, but I know he was waiting on you.” Joanie said. She leaned closer to Faye’s ear and began to whisper. “I think you’ll like adventure he planned for you two this year”
“Ha, I always do!” Faye said.
Joanie cocked her head to the side and gave Faye a knowing stare. Almost as if she was hiding something. Faye gave her a look back, and shook her head in confusion. Joanie smiled and cupped Faye’s cheeks in her hand.
“Off you go then, enjoy your adventure this year!”
“I will…” Faye said hesitantly.
Faye walked through the thick crowd of southern accents, and fried chicken. She smiled at the newcomers, and greeted the regulars. She soaked up the “I love your hair” compliments like a sponge. If only her mother could hear them. Would it change anything?
“Doubt it.” Faye mumbled to herself.
“Faye of sunshine!” A voice said.
Faye turned around and saw Tobias with a plate of food, and mouth full of macorni.
“Tobie! Where Is Griffin he’s not answering his texts!”
“Well, hello to you too! Man do I even exist when he’s around?” Tobias said laughing.
“No, no, you do. Sorry Tobie, it’s good to see you! How’s Adeline?” Faye said, giving Tobias a hug.
“Ha, it’s ok I get it, that’s your Griffy. Adeline is good, she wanted to come but her school started back earlier than expected. So far California hasn’t tainted her too much, she still has most of her southern accent.”
“Good! Tell her I miss her, you’re a lot more tolerable with her around.”
“I would come back at you with something meaner, but I have to agree with you. It’s time to start our adventure.”
“Wait, Tobias, you’re proposing?!”
“Yup! Flying out next month. Hoping to have the wedding here actually. She loves this place.”
“Aww, Tobie I’m so happy for you!”
“Be on the lookout for the invite!”
“Of course! Maybe by then I’ll have my own adventure to bring to the wedding.” Faye said, dreamily.
Tobias let out a quiet laugh. He looked at Faye lovingly, and gestured with his head.
“Griffin is in the sitting room over there, I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Ok, thanks, see you later!” Faye said, turning to leave.
“Let me know when the adventure starts.” Tobias said. He had the same look his mother had a few moments ago.
“Uh, yeah, I will..” Faye said.
Faye walked through another small croud of people and headed toward the old sitting room. It was as big as two rooms, and had huge wooden sliding doors as a separator. When they were kids, Faye and Griffin would run to each side and play tag. As Faye drew closer she began to see the old funiture, and ornate antique rug. A long green couch sat on one side of the room, and was deemed “un-sittable” by Griffin due to its hard cushions. When she entered through the large doorway, she saw the familiar bookshelf that housed over a hundred books that she dreamed of having in her future home one day. An old desk made of mahogany sat in front of it and had the name J.R. Collins, the original owner of the house, enscribed on the front. To its left sat a figure on the window nook, leaning into the rays of the sun. He, was tall, had deep red, almost brown hair, and an unmistakable jawline. Faye smiled and knocked on the door.
He looked up at her and gave her his signature wide smile. His hazel eyes warmed up with joy, and his cheeks flushed with excitement.
“There you are darlin’.” He said in a calm, and gentle tone.
“Hi Griffy!” Faye said, and quickly ran to him.
Tune in soon for part two! As always thank you for reading and leave your thoughts in the comments! Kyrie Eleison.
I am in!!!! Keep writing ✍️ ❤️