Love That Lived In The Next Life

6

"Are you sure you have to go for the night?" Daniella asked just above an audible murmur as Cameron stepped into her shoes at the door. The woman at the entryway stared at the one that hung on her bedroom door. A delicate frown cracked across her face and the distress shone through. The scent of cookies still permeated from the kitchen and throughout the apartment. Cameron's eyes glanced down to the phone. It lit to life in her hands and indicated how late it was.

"Darling, it's ten o clock and I have to be at the shop in the morning." Daniella whimpered in protest.

"Cameron, I don't want to be here alone," she admitted. Cameron's heart broke for the woman that stood beside herself. Her shoulders sagged as defeat laced her intake of breath. Her shoes kicked back off and walked over to an elated Daniella.

"D'you have a spare set of pajamas I can use?" The other's nod of enthusiasm brought a smile to Cameron's face. "Alright, then I'll stay. I'm using the shower first though." Daniella squeaked as she ran into her bedroom. Cameron followed in suit and waited patiently. Hurried hands rummaged through drawers for something suitable to wear. Cameron was handed fluffy, star covered pants and a pale-yellow tank top to wear. A matching set, in different colors, remained in Daniella's arms.

"The shower is the next door down the hall. Go ahead. I'll jump in after you!" A competent nod came from Cameron as she walked to the shower and left Daniella to her own devices. Blush crept on Daniella's cheeks as she as she set the pajamas aside on her bed. She aimed for the kitchen and grabbed for the half-drunk bottle of wine that remained on the kitchen counter next to drying dishes. A glass was filled with the dark red liquid. The drink pressed against her lips as the bottle was set aside. When the glass was half drained, her shoulders sagged. Her grip tightened around the stem of the glass as her chest slightly heaved. Tears trickled down her cheeks. Her head swung low as she brought the wine back up to her lips.

Strength meant nothing at this current moment. The emptied glass was left by itself as she trailed to the living room. An icy pit consumed her stomach as she dropped on the couch and curled up into a ball. Salty tears stung her eyes as her chest heaved harder and shoulders shook. Time passed as she shed silent tears. No matter how hard she tried, she could not catch her breath or recompose herself. All of the pain of the day spilled out of her in streams of tears and silent prayers to whatever god that would listen.

Cameron felt renewed as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself around a fluffy white towel she found on a drying rack. The stress of the day faded from her shoulders and into the drain along with the water. She was quick to change and stared at a steam covered mirror. Everything was foggy and a mirthless smile cracked on her lips. The irony of the day was similar to the steam of the mirror in her eyes. She took in a deep breath as she aimed for minty mouthwash that sat on the counter. A few swishes in the mouth reminded her how her gums and tongue hated the liquid that invaded. She spat it out moments later. She quickly changed as she towel-dried her hair and walked out in a billow of steam. The small gasps of air alerted her to the figure on the couch. The frown fell on her face.

Daniella remained curled up in her ball completely oblivious of the world around her. Cameron tip toed over to the woman and watched for a moment. Thoughts swirled through her head as the woman shook in her cocoon. Cameron set the towel aside on a distant wooden chair and sat on the couch next to Daniella's head. The sad woman whimpered. Her body squirmed closer until her head was cuddled against Cameron's lap. Red-rimmed eyes stared up at her as tears ran down her face.

"Daniella," Cameron cooed as her hand went to her cherry cheeks and wiped away the tears with her thumb. "Everything will be alright."

"H-H-How do you know?" Daniella hiccupped. A struggled gasp gulped down her throat as her body curled tighter into herself as shivered. Cameron's spare hand freed the hair of its structured bun and curled its fingers in dark oak tresses.