Return to Destiny

Chapter 1 --- Welcome to Destiny Welcome to Destiny. What kind of people would name a town Destiny? Jessie Franklin kicked the sign. In response, the top of the ‘D’ came loose so that now it hung dutifully upside down. Great. First day back and she had officially vandalized city property. Jessie sighed and wiped the sweat off her forehead. She had forgotten how hot central Missouri was in June. The air conditioner had given out in St. Louis, and the radiator appeared to have followed suit once she reached the county line. She’d just have to walk the last mile and send someone back for her car. As she locked the doors, a mini-van slowed to a stop next to her, its window easing down. “Need a ride into town?” The young woman leaned over and peered up at her. “That would be great.” Jessie opened her trunk, moved her gear to the back of the van, then opened the passenger door. She immediately caught the scent of fast food. The driver apologetically brushed a McDonald’s wrapper out of the seat. “I’m Mandy Thompson.” Mandy had dark, chin-length straight hair and wore a comfortable looking light blue shorts outfit that complimented her eyes. Jessie’s own hair was blonde and curly and cut fairly short. Her eyes were green like her dad’s. She had chosen to travel today in jeans and a yellow t-shirt advertising her favorite coffee shop. “Hi. Jessica Franklin. Jessie.” Jessie looked over her shoulder as she sat down and buckled her seatbelt. The middle seat was dominated by a pair of car seats, with a boy in each. Probably less than two years apart, they eyed her curiously. “Hi, guys,” she greeted them. “And those would be the Thompson terrors: Ben and Alex.” Terrors. Jessie liked this woman already. “If you could just drop me by Kent’s Auto, I’ll call my mom to come and meet me.” “You have family here, then?” Mandy seemed surprised. She’d probably assumed Jessie had stopped only because her car had broken down. “Yeah. I actually grew up here.” Jessie bit her lip at the disclosure. “But I’ve been gone a long time.” Six years with only short visits at the holidays. She guessed that qualified as long. “We just moved here two years ago. Ben was two and Alex came along the next year.” Mandy caught his eye in the rearview mirror. Hearing his name, the younger of the boys chuckled. “What brought you to Destiny?” Jessie couldn’t imagine anyone moving here on purpose. “My husband’s job. He’s the county agent.” County agent. Jessie hadn’t heard those words in a long time. Mr. Williams had been the county extension agent when she was growing up. Serving all the farmers in the area, he’d done everything from helping organize the county fair to leading 4-H groups for the kids. “Do they still do 4-H around here?” “Oh yeah. I help Jim when I can. Were you in 4-H growing up?” “Yep. Head. . .Heart. . .Hands . . . .” She pointed to her head, then her chest, then placed her hands palms up as she recited the words. Then she stopped. She never could remember the 4th ‘H’. “Health.” Mandy laughed. “No body part to point to.” Jessie grinned. “That must be it.” “Do I know your folks?” Mandy continued. “Probably. Franklin Angus.” Jessie’s folks were commercial beef producers. “Of course, Farm just north of town, Tom and Alice.” “That’s right.” It was funny how everyone in a small town like Destiny knew each other, even if they weren’t particularly friends. Her folks had lived here forever, though, since they married in the eighties. It was a nice town, as small towns went, and they seemed to like it. Plus it was close to several sites that fueled her dad’s passion for Jesse James memorabilia. He’d even named her after him. Her brother James, too. Mandy pulled into the Auto shop parking lot. “Is Union still the closest McDonald’s?” Jessie asked. At Mandy’s nod, she continued. “Thought I could take you and the boys to lunch later this week.” “Sounds great. They love the climbing gym.” “And the fries?” Jessie held up one still lodged in the front seat. “Almost as much as I do,” Mandy confessed with a smile. “Call me when you know your plans better. Your mom’s got my number.” “Sounds good,” Jessie responded, “It will probably be Thursday or Friday before my car is fixed.” “I can drive if you need me to. The car seats are a hassle to move.” “Right. Thanks again for the lift.” “No problem. Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you guys, too. I’ll catch you later.” “Right. You’re ok, then?” “Spent a lot of high school afternoons here. Kind of like a second home.” The look of curiosity on Mandy’s face made Jessie want to confess that she’d been much more interested in Scott Kent than in auto repair, but that story would have to wait. Still, sharing secrets with a new girlfriend had its pull and would make her summer visit more endurable.