Learning to Trust Again

Chapter 1

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes Mom. I'm sure. I need to start anew." Meryl smiled at her Mom hoping it would give her some comfort.

"But couldn't you just take a nice vacation? We could cancel some of your events and maybe a show or two."

"You know I can't do that Mom. Plus, I did take a vacation. It didn't help."

"A weekend trip to the lake house was not the kind of vacation I was talking about. You needed to get away from here to be considered a vacation."

"Mom, everything would still be here when I came back. I need to move to start new."

"But L.A is so far away honey." The look on Cheryl's face was nothing but worry and pain.

"Mom, it's not that far. I could have moved to Japan." That comment made Cheryl laugh and put a smile on her face. A small one but it was there.

"I'm going to miss you, baby. Are you sure you can handle all this on your own? I know you have an apartment set up but do you have doctors set up? You'll have to go..."

"I've got everything set up. I promise." Both of their smiles were now gone. "I have to go Mom. I can't miss my flight. I have to meet the moving truck."

"Do you have anyone helping you move in? You can't do it alone. It's not..."

"The movers are going to carry everything in and I'll get them to move the heavy things for me. I'll be fine Mom. I promise. Trust me Mom. I haven't had a good feeling about things in a long time but I have a good feeling about this move."

"I trust you Meryl. I just..."

"Mom, you are working on trusting my gut again. I know. I am too. I love you. Thank you for bringing me here. I'll call you when I get to my apartment. Tell Dad and Clayton I love them."

"I will. Have a good flight baby. I love you."

After a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, Meryl grabbed her purse and her "just in case" backpack carry on bag. She got through security and went to the gift shop by her gate and bought some treats for the flight. Once she got to her gate it was time to board. The workers recognized her and let her board early which she was grateful for because she was less likely to get recognized the earlier she got on the plane. She was pretty good at hiding her face on the plane. She found her seat but took the window seat in her row hoping her row mates wouldn't mind. She saw people starting to board the plane more regularly so she turned so she was looking out the window and kept repeating to herself please don't recognize me. She really wanted to avoid the millions of questions that would come if she was recognized. Oh great she thought. She felt eyes staring at her.

"Excuse me miss. I think you are in my seat."

Meryl turned and saw a tall, handsome man standing there looking at her. He had very intriguing eyes. The smile that formed on his face when she had turned to look at him was the most beautiful smile. It made her blush slightly and smile herself.

"Um... sorry. I usually do better during flights if I'm in the window seat. Do you mind if I sit here? You can sit in my seat, the middle seat."

"Oh, of course. Wouldn't want a pretty woman like you freaking out during the flight. Maybe we'll be lucky and our other row mate won't show up. I was one of the last people to board."

"I wouldn't mind that." Wow Meryl thought. Did I really just flirt with him? I can't do that. Look where that led me the last time. No Meryl! Don't think like that. That's why you are moving. To get away.