Honey

🍯

Catori

I stand in my empty one-bedroom apartment, looking at the unpacked boxes, resonating with the emptiness of the room. All I can think about is where is the nearest place for a girl to get some pizza around here?

After 3 hours of flying from my small hometown in Chicago to the big city, New York then having to bring over 10 boxes up 3 flights of stairs, all I want to do now is get my Switch hooked up as soon as possible, order the largest pizza with sprite and play Animal Crossing for hours, but I knew I should get everything done first so I can play more later.

I sigh loudly and get my bearded dragon, Kica's, new tank set up and put her in. I look at her through the glass as I watch her get accustomed to the new decorations and bigger space.

"How's it feel? At least you didn't have to decorate it yourself, unlike me." I turn my attention back to the stacks of boxes I need to put up, uneagerly.

A few hours later, I'm sitting on the ground surrounded by all the pieces for my bed frame, while trying to understand the IKEA directions that came with it. My phone rings and I sigh, accepting my defeat, putting the directions down and picking up my phone off the hardwood dusty floor. 

I flip it over to see my sister, Jodeci, calling. I let out an even louder sigh as anxiety and dread rushes through my body. I am still adjusting to starting this new, independent life. The last thing I needed was my sister going on a spiel like my second mom, about how I should be living my life right now.

"Hey, sis!" I answer the Facetime call, lightheartedly with a wide smile, trying to hold it despite the dread hidden behind it.

"Hi sissy!" She screeches, cheerfully. "How are you settling in? What's your apartment like? I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help you move in. You had someone help you, right?"

"Uh, yeah don't worry about it, a few of my old college friends helped me move in. The place is great." I look around my apartment which is still dark, dusty, and bare, that also hasn't had any other people in it but me.

"Oh that's so good to hear. I would come visit but I don't want to intrude while you are still adjusting, I'm also a little caught up with work right now. I'll come see you soon though, just let me know when I can." 

My chest becomes tight and a lump forms in my throat. It was shocking hearing Jodeci be so supportive and understanding for me, considering how protective and smothering she was growing up.

"I'm so happy for you Cat, I know Mom wasn't the easiest on you and you took the brunt of everything after I left so I'm really happy that you've become so independent and strong." She tells me, sweetly, her voice breaking a little. 

The lump in my throat releases and so do my tears. Tears pour down my face and I prop my phone up on one of the pieces of furniture.

I wipe my tears and shake my head in embarrassment. "Sorry Jojo, you just caught me off guard and slightly at a bad time. Damn, I'm such a crybaby."

"No no it's fine Cat, I understand. Leaving home can be scary. Is everything okay?" She reassures me as usual and props her phone up as well, ready to listen.

I laugh a little as I think about this IKEA bed frame again. "God no. These IKEA instructions Jodeci! They are going to be the death of me, I swear." I exasperate and groan.

Jodeci laughs quietly and nods. "Ugh, Yes I understand that struggle! IKEA should have a sign before you walk in that warns all new adults to go somewhere else; otherwise if you were feeling overwhelmed already, wait until you see IKEA instructions."