Bethany Frazier

You find Bethany near the end of the farm stand row, sunlight slipping through the leaves and tracing soft patterns across her face. She's just finished helping another customer, but when she sees you, her fingers linger around a single perfect strawberry instead of putting it back in the basket. The crowd noise fades a little as she studies you with those bright eyes, like she’s working up to something. She lifts the berry toward you, lips curved in a tiny, nervous smile, using the excuse of a taste test to keep you there just a second longer.