40 days and 40 nights

 Perhaps they'd given each other the silent treatment enough. Yes, breaking up and living together was kind of confusing.

At least Melissa moved into the guestroom at Riley's farmhouse. After all, it was in Riley's name. Maybe, Melissa felt it too. It was a strain for so many weeks of being silent and listening to see when the other would vacate the premises.

Riley couldn't leave. It was her place. She'd done a lot of work fixing the kitchen and the bathroom. She even put in new flooring in the hallway. It was ongoing. Every chance she'd get she invested in the old farmhouse. She even thrifted an old greenhouse so she could garden year-round. This was her haven.

Melissa always told her she treated the house like it was the only man in her life. It was home and evidently, Melissa was becoming an unwanted guest. 

She tried to remember the good times, but she saw Melissa in a new light. She was a city girl. They'd had a row how Melissa might like it better in Kansas City. It was a tiff that sent Melissa packing. She was being so bitter. Bringing up petty things Riley didn't know Melissa disliked so much.

"You never like to wear anything sexy!" Melissa told her. "You and  your granny underwear!"

Yes, Melissa had left Riley feeling a little pathetic. It was as if Melissa would always win and she'd never be sophisticated enough for Melissa. She had a few days to ponder over it after Melissa left. Who swore she was not coming back, even if there were a few things around the house that were Melissa's, like the good set of plates and the Martha Stewart teapot.

Those were days when Riley didn't know what to eat. She wanted to call her friends back in Omaha, but she didn't. She knew they were busy with their own lives and they'd find it all kind of trite. Maybe she was just like Melissa said, silly and impossible to be with.

And then someone remembered her from the library. 

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon when Riley couldn't decide if she wanted a made salad or to make one on her own in the lettuce aisle. It was hard to decide which was the best bargain. She'd need peppers and onions and radishes too. The mushrooms were not on sale. Maybe she'd just go back to the deli and get that day old pizza.

"Hey, I know you," said a cheerful voice. It was a surprise to Riley who wasn't sure who this person was even talking to.

Her name was Tess and she'd been with her sister to one of Riley's storytimes at the library. "I love the Music Movement on Wednesdays." Her smile was pleasant as she went on and on how much her four-year-old niece and sister enjoyed her week of programs. "Elsa goes every chance she gets."

Her hands touched Riley's fingers who was holding a bag of lettuce. "Oh, you don't want this."

Tess stirred her toward the fresh greens. She'd worked at the vegan place in Omaha until it closed.

"I'm not a strict vegan," she told her. "I like fish." Tess smiled. "Oh, and then there is the bakery." She smirked.

"A bakery?" There was only one in town. "You work there?"

Tess nodded. She lived with her sister and her family or until she could find a place on her own. Suddenly, it felt like a beautiful beginning of something. Tess liked animals and children too.