Chapter 5
After she got home, Lisa's heart still pounded as she lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling with a dreamy smile playing on her lips. She felt like she was floating on air, the memory of her date with Franclon still fresh and vivid in her mind. The way his eyes had sparkled when he first saw her, how his smile lit up his entire face—those were images that would be forever etched in her memory.
She turned over on her side and grabbed her phone, scrolling back through the conversation they'd had after the date. Franclon was unlike anyone she had ever met. His warmth, his kindness, and the depth of their conversation had left her feeling connected to him in a way she hadn't thought possible. They had shared everything—hopes, dreams, fears. It was as though they had known each other for years, not just a matter of days.
Lisa glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was late, much later than she had intended to stay up, but she couldn't resist rereading their messages one more time. Franclon had promised to call her tomorrow, and she couldn't wait to hear his voice again. There was something about him, something she couldn't quite put her finger on, that made her feel completely at ease. It was as if all the pieces of her life had finally fallen into place.
But as she drifted off to sleep, a small part of her couldn't help but wonder about the mystery that still surrounded Franclon. He had been so open with her, but there were things she still didn't know, things that didn't quite add up. She had tried to push those thoughts aside, but now, as her eyes grew heavy and sleep overtook her, they began to creep back in.
The next morning, Lisa awoke with a sense of anticipation. She was still in Connecticut, staying in the quaint little house her mother had rented for their stay. The house was old, with creaky floorboards and a draft that seeped in through the windows, but Lisa found it charming. There was a certain coziness to it, a warmth that made her feel at home.
As she got dressed, she couldn't help but think of Franclon. The memory of their date on the East Haddam Bridge was still fresh in her mind. They had walked together, hand in hand, talking about everything and nothing all at once. The view from the bridge had been breathtaking, the river below reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. It had been perfect, almost too perfect.
She wondered what he was doing now. Was he thinking about her too? Was he counting down the hours until they could speak again, just as she was?
The sound of her mother's laughter drifted up from the kitchen, breaking into her thoughts. Lisa smiled to herself, glad that her mother was happy. She hadn't seen her like this in a long time, not since her father had passed away. The move to Connecticut had been a fresh start for both of them, and Lisa was grateful for it and even though it was just for a week and for the warehouse building, it was still worth it . But still, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her mother's sudden decision to come here than just wanting to finish a project. And then there was that man—Junior, her mother had called him—who seemed to be around all the time. Lisa didn't know much about him, but she could tell that her mother was smitten.