Flowering Skies

Sweet Relief

... I set down the last box and pull out my wallet, my joints stiff and aching.  Outside, the movers stand by their van, enjoying a glass of iced tea in the hot summer sun. I reach in my wallet and hand my credit card to one of them, and he disappears inside the van, bringing back my card and a business card before leaving.

I chuckle to myself and step back inside. They think this is hot? Sure, it may be muggy, but it is nowhere near hot. You don't know hot like I do. 

"This is going to take forever..." I groan and lay my head back on the couch. "Why do I even have this much stuff? I don't need most of it anyway-"

My phone rings, and I freeze in place, knowing the ringtone all too well. It's my mom. My finger hovers over the green call button and I hesitate, preparing my ears for the torture they'll have to endure.

"YOUNG LADY, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?

"Mom, I was-"

"How do you think I feel? I've been worried sick about you! Or were you too busy running away to think? What will the ladies from Church thing when they hear about how you ran away from me? They'll think I was a bad mother! Now, you get back here this instant or so help me God, I will find you and-"

I end the call without another word, throwing the phone on the floor in front of me and walking away. God, why does mom have to be like this? Doesn't she understand? She was the reason I left. Always either drunk or yelling at someone for reasons they can't control. I had to leave. Dad was the only one that understood, that supported me through everything, even when he wasn't sure. 

I decided to watch a movie to calm down, pulling my computer out of the box labeled "ELECTRONICS." I type in the code and open Netflix, playing the first thing I saw. My muscles ache as I walk over and decide to get my sleeping bag, sitting tightly rolled in the corner. It still smells faintly of the place I used to know as home. With the tap of a button, the movie starts playing and I lay down, unrolling the bag in the middle of the living room and laying on my stomach, the old bedroll cold beneath me. I get up a few times throughout the movie to grab snacks, occasionally looking out the window to see the sun set, its rays blanketing the sky with orange and pink hues, eventually drifting away beyond the horizon as the night forced its way through. My eyes grow sore and blurry, the lock screen of my phone reminding me of the time as I see notifications from my friends back home. I lay my head down and close my eyes, thinking of how the others were at home, not knowing the true distance between us. I should probably tell them soon.

It was nice being able to exist without family or friends judging me. It felt out of place though, with the lack of accent and cooler temperatures. The room was silent and empty, aside from the stacks of boxes piled up in the corners of the room, the sound of crickets leading me off to sleep.

________

"Fuck, that's bright..." I mumble, rubbing my eyes and finally waking up. The sun shines in my eyes and forces me to squint to recognize the room I lay in. As I start to remember, my muscles seem to as well, tender from the heavy lifting of the day before. I stand up and walk to the bathroom, raking my hands through my curly mess of hair.  My breath stinks of the snacks from last night, and I head out the door, wearing the same clothes from last night. The car is kind of crappy, it's got scratches and a few dents, but otherwise functions. It matches me perfectly, and I chuckle to myself as I unlock my car and grab the backpack I forgot from the previous day. 

I step back inside and into the bathroom yet again, turning the shower on and letting it get warm while I undress, smiling as I run my fingertips along the scar across my chest and feeling the flat skin.  My recent top surgery has made me a lot more comfortable and confident with my body. I step in the shower and let the water fall down my hair and shoulders, cleaning myself off as I relax for the first time since I've left. I step out, dry myself off with a towel, and put some sunscreen on to get ready for the day's events. I throw on a baggy t-shirt and smile once again as I see the shirt fall perfectly down in front of my chest, never stopping to hit a curve or bra. I pull on some sweatpants and slide on my vans, quickly combing my hair before walking back to the living room. I don't mind the mess inside and only stop to grab my phone and charger as I stumble over boxes on my way back outside to my car.  Once outside, I start the engine and pull out of the parking lot, setting my GPS for a nearby coffee shop. 

I open the door and exit the car, glancing up at the shop. Ivy creeps up the brick walls, some pieces of the brick chipped off and growing plants between the lime sealing. I step inside and walk up to the counter, checking the menu and ordering a hot chocolate. 

I look up to see a girl, about my age or so, with short caramel colored hair and the kindest smile I've seen in years. We lock eyes and I feel the blush creeping into my cheeks as I smile and clumsily hand her my money. She giggles and hands me my drink before returning to clean the counter.

 I sit down in a booth near a big open window and continue glancing at her, every so often making eye contact and looking away sheepishly. I gaze around the room, noticing many things I hadn't before.  It's got a cottage core theme, making me stand out with my dark colored outfit. Strings of leaves hang from the ceiling, mocking the ivy growing outside. 

I get to relax and sip my drink slowly, burning the roof of my mouth in the process. It's sweet and creamy, unlike anything I've ever tasted. I absentmindedly continue sipping on the drink, finishing it quickly. Deciding to end my break early, I walk back out to my car and smile, having to pass by the worker at the counter. I bookmark this shop in the back of my mind. A white van pulls up and parks next to me just as I start to back up. It's one that I recognize, but i quickly brush it off when I hear the opening to my favorite TV show in the background. AJ must be calling.