Brute Force

Chapter 1

One hour has passed since leaving Bradley International Airport. I glance at the gps screen and estimated another 10 minutes until I arrive at my new house. 

I never expected to be moving to a new town after getting my MD. I spend another 5 minutes of silent solemn as I think about the life I am leaving. 

"I remember my first time driving here" the cab driver pipes in, "moved here from New York almost 30 years ago. I told myself this would be a temporary home until I find my calling." 

I pondered whether I should ask for more details. My intrusive thought won. 

"What made you stay?" I asked while watching the ocean appear with the help of the moon's reflection. Nervous as to whether he meant I would be just like him if I don't tell him to turn around and drive me back to the airport. 

"The sunrise, sunset, and the community." he said. "I've heard about how hard breaking bad habits are, but nobody talks about how addicting it is to have peace of mind," he sighed. I can't relate. "I met two boys and their mom. Fell in love, but she went home before I ever got to say 'I do'. Now my kids got their own lives. One's got a 3 year old princess. The other is stuck in his busy schedule back in New York." he proudly chuckled which made me smile. I wasn't going to dive myself into the story of his ole lady's passing. 

"Got any advice for a newcomer?" I asked to occupy the silence. I notice him glance at me from his rearview mirror as I hear him take a calm breath. 

"Big cities. Small towns. Packed schedule or not. You're only busy if you're doing something you don't enjoy." he said as he triumphally nodded his head. 

"Wise words--" I trailed off not even knowing his name.

"Donald." he finished. "Donald Weise. 55 years young and still kicking it." he said with a smile as I chuckle at his attempt to clear my head. "Welcome to historic Enies" Donald announces as he pulls into the red bricked building. 

I step out of the cab as Donald got my luggage and duffel bag out of the trunk. I take a good look of the German style buildings that surrounded the area. The newly polished black steel street lamps and the bricked pavement tells me the city gains enough money to restore and renovate old buildings. 

It's close to 3 am and U-haul should have dropped my belongings yesterday. I turn to grab my bags from Donald and thank him for picking me up at such an inconvenient time. 

"Thank you for the pick up Mr. Donald" I said as I take back my bags. 

"Please, call me Don" he said as he gave me a friendly smile. "Just two blocks from here, there is a bakery that opens at 4:30 am everyday. They sell the best pastries. My favorite is a the mongo bread." he said as he closes the trunk. "Now, you are new to town, but business is booming here. Tourists come quite often, and if you haven't noticed, we take quite good care of the community. If you have any questions, I am the librarian at the local library." he said. 

My intrigued face giving away the question in my head. Don chuckles and informs me that the realtor for the loft is a good friend of his and his normal driver had gone to the hospital because his girlfriend has just given birth. 

"Well I do appreciate your help and I'm sure I will be finding myself in front of that bakery some time." I informed Don. 

"Do rest up and welcome to Enies!" Don says as he drives off. 

I walk up the front porch and unlock the front door to enter a dark sapce. The moonlight lit the area where the furniture were left still wrapped up in the new furniture wraps. 

Finding the light switch, I turn on the living room lights and the LED ceiling lights beams to showcase the newly painted interior. The inside has that modern and minimalist look that compared to the outside red brick, nobody would have ever thought the inside to be the opposite of the contemporary bricks. 

Being in the plane for 9 hours and sleeping the majority of the flight has made my body more awake than it really should be. My ADHD is starting to kick in just seeing the clutter and unopened boxes. Deciding to move here with the outmost refusal to fly my furniture over, the thought of opening new boxes and items added to the adrenaline of wanting to get everything set up.

As much as I hate a cluttered mess, there is nothing more relaxing than sitting down after a good deep clean and rearranging.

Taking my luggage in the first bathroom that I see, I open my bag and change into a much more comfier outfit. Out of my jeans and into a black sweatpants and a tank top, I pull my hair out of the braid it's been in all night and take a comb through it. 

The ache in my scalp as I massage my hair wakens me up more. Brushing my teeth and washing my face, I pull my hair back up to a bun to prep myself with all the lifting I am about to do. Grabbing a pair of socks and putting on deodorant, I felt fresh enough to start my day at 3 am.