Rebuilding A Home

Closer

It was cold.

Too cold.

It was cold enough for Olivia's hands to numb even deep in her pockets. She felt nothing with the tips of her fingers. Subconsciously tapping each end to her thumb, her mind raced. The numbing of her extremities was far from her worries. Instead, as she walked home, Olivia couldn't help but relive probably the third most heartbreaking moment of her life.

Yes, she understood how Bobby reacted like he did, especially knowing him for so long; she knew he wouldn't take it very well. However, his words still cut like a butcher knife right through her heart.

For years Olivia hated herself for being so reckless and allowing a criminal to take away the one thing she always wanted to be in life. For years, she blamed herself for losing her baby, telling herself she would be a mother if she had just waited for backup. Because of those many years and revolting inner thoughts, Olivia became a bit of an alcoholic. And, of course, with any alcoholic, there were multiple night partners and regrettable actions, which finally led to Olivia seeking help.

It wasn't until her alcoholism almost cost her her job that the woman sought help and learned, through therapy, to no longer blame herself.

Bobby's words forced all coping skills she learned to be thrown out the window.

Olivia tried to think of something else - anything else besides his attitude. "Okay, girl, think." Immediately her thoughts drifted to their spot, and all the beautiful memories shared.

— ｆｌａｓｈｂａｃｋ —

"Bobby, get in the water!" A young Olivia Friedman yelled. Jackie and Angel wrestled in the water. He shook his head as he laid back in the grass, ignoring the girl.

Rolling her eyes, Olivia climbed onto land, sneaking toward Bobby. His attention was pulled to his magazine, leaving him vulnerable for the girl to sneak attack - pouncing on him, straddling her legs over his lap. With a grunt, Bobby sat up, hauling the girl over his shoulder in a swift movement before running towards the lake. Bobby jumped in with Olivia over his shoulder.

— ｆｌａｓｈｂａｃｋ —

Despite the winter chill, Olivia laughed at the memory; that was the first time Bobby had gone into the water. He was always so worried about the wildlife in the lake - like they would somehow bite him and transmit a deadly disease. After that incident, however, Bobby would happily bring an extra pair of boxers and shorts.

— ｆｌａｓｈｂａｃｋ —

"Liv, hurry up!" Bobby was already in the water, splashing around. She was just about finished undressing to jump in, slipping her shoes off.

Liv smiled at him before taking off to the highest point. "I'm jumping in!" Landing a few feet from Bobby, the boy wrapped his arms around her waist. Thinking he would be cute and romantic, Olivia closed her eyes and waited, only to be met with a nose full of water. Bobby dunked her under the water. "You're going to regret that!" Olivia yelled once she got some air.

— ｆｌａｓｈｂａｃｋ —

The sun was beginning to set, creating a dark, pastel masterpiece in the sky. It was Olivia's favorite time of day. Walking along the path, she kept her hands deep into her coat pockets, desperately trying to get the feeling back. She regretted not following Bobby and getting a ride home for a moment, but as she continued to dwell on the thought, the less she regretted it. The ride would have been hell to endure with Bobby's driving.

Olivia continued her trek home. It began to snow - again. Tightening the scarf around her neck, she breathed air, watching the steam roll out. She vaguely remembered pretending the steam was cigarette smoke as a young kid, thinking she looked cool. That was until she began smoking and realized no one looked cool in winter. Jackie's peer pressure led her to start smoking, but she quickly stopped after her father caught her stealing one of his cancer sticks. That punishment was one of the worst she had ever received.