The Handsome Mystery

Chapter Eight: Two Years Later

I haven't gotten anywhere in life. I've had the same job since I moved here and I still haven't gotten anywhere with my book. So much for finishing it. Twelve chapters are completed but that's where it stayed. My life is a total mess. I've gone out and partied with Sarah on nights I feel down, went through a few hurricane winds. Thankfully they weren't strong enough to touch my house. Sarah moved away a few months ago wanting something different. I'm alone again.  I pushed my past in the back of my mind.

Maybe I should travel. After all I have more money saved up so I don't have to worry about that. I think I will go to Europe for a month to get away from here. Go to Paris, London, Italy, all of those beautiful places. I will quit my job at the library and start traveling.

I went down to my work and told them I want to put my two week notice in because I want to travel. They didn't want me to but I did it anyways. I booked a flight for two days from now so I better get packing.

I went and knocked on a couple of my neighbors doors and let them know that I would be out of the country for a month and asked if they'd watch it. They all agreed so I felt a little more comfortable with my leaving.

I went back inside and packed two suitcases. One full of clothes with a couple pairs of shoes to wear and the other one full of my toiletries and other necessities like a backpack and a purse. I placed my laptop on top of my clothes and zipped them both shut. I placed them by the door and decided to order pizza. I wasn't leaving for a couple days but decided to pack early so I was ready.

By the time my pizza got here it was ten. I turned on my tv and put the pizza on the table in front of me. I wonder if I'll meet a nice man while I'm in Europe. It would be nice after being single for all these years. After all I'm twenty-three years old. I should find someone.

After about an hour I decided to go to bed. I put the pizza in the fridge and went to my room. I have a lot to do tomorrow before I leave.

#

The next morning the sun was shining through my window and my alarm went off. I forgot to shut that damn thing off when I quit my job. I got up, got a shower, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. After that I decided I needed to do some deep cleaning so I grabbed the broom, dustpan, mop, bucket, winded, towel, and everything else I needed and started my day.

Three hours later and I was finally done. I decided to go for a run afterwards. It is something I started doing a month after I moved here, I couldn't do it back in New York so now was my chance. I've been eating healthy and exercising daily as much as possible. I'd say I'm pretty fit and I like it that way. When I got back to my house I noticed a vehicle at Sarah's old place. I still stay in touch with her but she lives in Rhode Island now to take care of her mom.

I walked over but didn't see anyone so I just walked inside. I desperately needed a shower so I got undressed and walked to my bathroom.

When I got out I decided to get dressed and ready because one of my neighbors is throwing me a going away party. When I told them I was leaving for Europe they all decided right then and there to throw me a party.

I called Tasha, my neighbor, and asked her when I needed to be over. She told in about two hours so I said okay and hung up. I looked out my front window and noticed the new neighbor across the street. His back was turned to me but he looked oddly familiar, I couldn't place it though. I shrugged it off and closed my curtains.

I turned on my stereo system and started dancing around. I was singing at the top of my lungs when I heard a knock on my door. I went to open it but no one was there. The only thing that was at my door was a bouquet of flowers and a card. The card read, I hope you have a good trip. I'll be here waiting for you. Mystery Man. Weird. I looked around but no one was there so I shut my door and locked it.