{Moss Legacy} Chapter 4 | Brydie

Get it together, girl

May 18, 2025

“Get it together, girl.” I berated myself as I mopped the warm, rich liquid from the table. My cup, not even half full, seemed to jeer at me. That had been the last of my coffee and I’d really needed the pick me up this morning.

I’d spent quite a few days reliving the party and all that transpired, often caught in a daze. More than once, I had a beautiful vase taking shape on my wheel only to suddenly feel like I’d woken up, a smile on my face and a collapsed mound of clay at my hands.

I threw the cloth in the sink, not even bothering to rinse it out before sitting myself down with my tablet. I obviously needed a strong talking to. I journaled all the weird and wonderful feelings rushing through me. Talked through all the unhinged dreams I had made up in my head about picket fences, chubby cheeked babies and living barefoot off the land.

I shattered thought of gentle touches and whispered desires with simple truths. I’ve never wanted this; some random guy shouldn’t be able to make me so weak at the knees and crack my resolve in a single night, let alone ever.

I went to bed relieved, reinvigorated and with a new vase ready to be glazed. It felt good. I was a new woman. Well, the old woman, again.

A lovely spring morning met me the next day. I’d had the best, (Don) dream free sleep I’d had since the bonfire and felt amazing. The birds were singing, my garden smelled of earth, new growth and promises. It was the perfect day to walk to the shop for some essentials.

With my arms full of flour, almonds and eggs, I was trying to choose the perfect banana- not so green that it has that kind of unpleasant after taste, not so ripe that it would feel mushy and taste overly banana-y. “Ah,” a somewhat familiar voice made me freeze, my carefree mood souring, “I’ve been hoping I’d bump into you.”

I sighed but continued my perusal of the bunch of three in my hand. “Here, let me hold some of that,” He said, reaching out to secure the pack of almonds as it started slipping out from under my elbow. I started to say I was fine, but it was too late, he bundled my items into his empty basket and offering me a dazzling smile.

My heart skipped a beat before quickening and I swear he must have heard it because his smile widened even more. Traitor, I thought.

I quickly finished up and left the store, Don trailing behind. He seemed to know every person we walked past and there were a few curious glances in my direction. I couldn’t get my brain to function. I was panicked and elated and hopeful and terrified.

“Well,” I turned to him and put my hand out for my purchases, “thank you for your help. Have a nice evening!” I was overly cheerful I could feel it, an unnatural smile making my cheeks ache, but I could not act normal for the life of me.

I tried not to look at his handsome face, his carefully manicured facial hair perfectly complimenting his perfect jawline and lips. Stop it, I thought, telling myself I wanted nothing more than to walk away and never see him again.

“I’ll walk you home, Brydie.” He offered. Thankfully, it was a short walk and it didn’t matter that I spent the whole time desperately trying to figure out something to talk about but coming up blank.

Standing at my front door, he finally handed over my shopping bag. “Thanks,” I mumbled weakly.

“Not a problem at all.” He replied, giving me that smile again. Hesitating for a moment, he then turned and hopped down my porch steps before sauntering off with a final, “Might see you around!”

Incredulous, I stood there for way to long.

“What even was that?” I asked myself as I walked in and started unpacking. Still in a complete muddle, I started on my dinner and suddenly remembered the whole reason I left the house.

“I forgot the bloody coffee.”

Until next time,

dag dag x

{Moss Legacy} Chapter 4 | Brydie

Get it together, girl

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