She was happy for awhile, it worked for a bit. Okay, Jolene's whole life, all thirteen years of it. But well, then it happened and she doubted everything.
Paranoia is like that. Optimism and paranoia, an interesting combination, definitely.
It worked fine for awhile, really, and served its purpose for that while, but after that? Right back to square one. It always worked this way. Always. Without a doubt.
But this, this was her escape. The prickly plants, the cold water, even the breeze was cool today. She wrapped her windbreaker tightly around her and dragged her finger in the sand, making a pattern. It looked like something she'd find on a doilie. Probably saw the pattern at her grandmother's, where she now lived. As of two weeks ago.
Her parents didn't want her, not really. They were more than happy to ship her off to her grandmother's. Her grandmother was a kind, loving woman who loved Jolene to bits.
It all seemed good. Her parents, who merely put up with her, and her grandmother wanted to spend all the time she could with Jolene.
She'd found this place while out for a walk the day after she'd moved in with her grandmother. Her grandmother lived up in the mountains, it would be an hour bus ride to school from there, but it was so worth it to live here. There was natural beauty here, unlike the cold technology of the city.
Maybe she was better off up here, but she still missed her old life. The blissful ignorance of living with people who didn't want her, but where she felt somewhat secure.
Jolene didn't realize she was crying until her grandmother sat down beside her on the sand.
"I followed you today, I hope you don't mind. Are you okay?" Grandmother asked, wiping a tear from her granddaughter's cheek.
"I think I am now, Grandmother." Jolene let her grandmother put her arms around her. Maybe it would be alright.