She Was Always Home

It was just another dream as Maisie rolls over to see that she is still alone in her bed. Maisie woke before her alarm like always knowing that she’d have to head into work soon for the day. She wished for a day off but she has to pay for the home that she lives in and keep life going. The early morning birds began giving her the wake up signal as she made herself get out of bed. Turning the alarm off on her phone then that is when a loud truck came down from the other side of the mountain with its jake brake going off. Maisie wished she could have one peaceful morning to sleep through. 

Maisie stumbled her way into the bathroom to brush her hair, put on some smell goods, and then rubbed her hands over her eyes. She looked over to see her uniform staring at her. Another day to see people. That is when her phone went off with a notification from Braxton County High School that read:

Attention Alumni Class of 2021,

We are celebrating you with the wonderful joy of coming to the High School gym for a night of fun and gathering five years apart.

Save the date: October 25th, 2026

See you then!

Braxton County Schools

Maisie couldn’t believe this was happening. She would get to see her friends again but she didn’t have someone to bring with her. Most of her classmates have settled into their lives. She works, comes home, and reads most days. Maisie put her phone down not to over analyze the what ifs and when but to get her day going. She slipped out of her night shirt then put on her uniform shirt that read McDonald’s. Maisie went back to her bedroom to get the jeans that were required for the job and, of course, a pair of socks and black slick shoes. She wasn’t ready to be a happy go lucky woman but it’s her life.

After getting herself fully dressed. She went back to the bathroom to put her hair in a ponytail so she could wear the visor. She looked down that she still needed to brush her teeth and mouth wash but decided she could wait after having some morning coffee before leaving for her shift that starts at eight in the morning. Heading out of the bathroom, shutting the light off, and heading to the kitchen to see her coffee pot had already brewed for her. She smelt the coffee in the air with a sigh of happiness. That is when she saw on the table her visor waiting for her, she must’ve placed it on the table after her shift yesterday.

Maisie grabbed a cup from the counter and poured herself some black coffee, she wasn’t in the mood to make her normal with sugar and speciality creamer. She glanced over at the stove clock that read seven fifteen in the morning, she put down her coffee after burning her tongue for desperately wanting a sip, and dumped it down the drain, rinsed water through it and put it back while then making her way back to the bathroom for quick run of getting her teeth cleaned. That is when her phone buzzed in her pocket that a message had come through from her classmate Hazel Rife of the local Lion’s Club in Gassaway.

Hey girl,

Checking in with everyone to see who all is attending the reunion, are you coming?

Hazel

Maisie put down her tooth brush and glared at the screen. She really didn’t want to respond while getting ready to start her shift but she quickly replied that she would be attending then slipped her phone back into her pocket. That is when she heard her phone hit the floor because it missed the back pocket. Maisie closed her eyes with hopes her phone didn’t crack its screen. She is being tested today and wasn’t ready for it. Before she finished swishing her mouth her phone went off and she cursed out loud. When she lifted it, it read McDonald’s calling. She hurriedly picked it up.

“Hello” Maisie said into the phone.

“Hey Maisie, it’s Nessa. Just wanted you to know that you are scheduled off for this week. We have to train a few people and I can’t have you in. Hope that is okay?” Nessa replied to Maisie.

“Oh, uh, sure. Will I be getting paid time off for this?” Maisie asked with a curious tone in her voice.

“Yes, yes, of course. I will make sure you get your full hours and roll over pay.” Nessa replied.

“Thank you. See you in a week.” Maisie responded by hanging up before she got all out of place.

Maisie chuckled to herself then headed back to the bedroom to put on some proper clothes for the day and get out of the uniform. Maybe, she should go walking around town since she doesn’t have to work. A whole week off with no idea what to do with herself since she doesn’t exactly have a lot of friends in the area. Before she could get undressed into her comfort clothes her phone went off again. It was Hazel, what in the world?

Hey girl,

I know you are busy but news is that Ivy McGraw might be coming in October for the reunion. I remember how close you two were. Just thought I would pass it along.

Hazel

Maisie hadn’t seen Ivy since graduation and they weren’t on speaking terms due to the long distance of her going to college in another state. She sat on the bed rereading that Ivy might come back. Maisie placed her phone on the bed then sat staring at the wall unsure of what to expect with this notice. Maisie knew that Ivy had another life in Wisconsin, she watched from afar of the friends she made and the dates that she would go on with other women. It was at that moment, Maisie shook the thoughts out of her head and decided to get changed because nothing else is going to happen. It’s just a rumor. Ivy isn’t coming home and Maisie knows it.