Last night was a rare, elusive gift: a deep, uninterrupted sleep. After six months of relentless insomnia, the sensation was almost foreign. Normally, as dusk settles, my mind is a battlefield of worries about the coming day, but not last night.
In the stillness of my home, I've often been haunted by the past, by memories that cut deep and leave their marks. Yet, last night, those shadows stayed away. It was as if a weight had been lifted, allowing me to experience a sliver of tranquility. For so long, my past had clung to me, a relentless burden that kept me awake. But last night, I managed to let go, and in that fleeting moment, a glimmer of hope flickered. Perhaps, just perhaps, I could find healing and move forward.
This morning, I awoke feeling refreshed for the first time in months. It was a revelation: last night had marked a turning point, a reminder that even amidst the darkest struggles, there's a possibility for peace and healing. I felt a deep sense of gratitude. The rain drizzling outside added to the calm. Our house, with its cozy interior and the gray sky beyond, felt like a sanctuary. I settled onto the swing, coffee in hand, savoring the serene weather. Despite Dad rushing off to work, Mom's bustling in the kitchen, and Emily's perpetual haste for school, I found solace in this morning chaos. It underscored the truth: this house, this place, is where I truly belong.
After Dad and Emily left, I drove Mom to the flower shop, reveling in the drive—one of my simple pleasures. At the shop, we ran into Zack, my cousin. His mannerisms, especially his tendency to spit while talking, have always grated on me. I was taken aback to see him buying flowers for his girlfriend. Zack, with a girlfriend? It seemed improbable, but there was a pang of unexpected happiness for him, despite my lingering irritation.
Zack approached with his typical confident grin. "Hey, cousin! Long time, no see. Miss me?"
I smirked, masking my annoyance. "Oh, don't get ahead of yourself, Zack. I haven't missed your spit."
Zack laughed, his eyes gleaming. "Come on. You secretly love my antics."
I chuckled. "Antics? More like annoyances. But you do keep things lively."
Zack's laughter filled the shop. "That's the spirit! Life would be dull without me, wouldn't it?"
Despite his quirks, I couldn't deny the bond between us.
I chose a tulip for myself before heading back home. In the car, I cranked up my Taylor Swift playlist, letting the music flood my senses.
Upon returning home, I placed the tulip in a jar—a simple act of connection with Mom. She's made it a daily ritual to bring me a flower for the past six months, brightening my mood with each gesture. Sitting on the couch, I glanced at my phone to find a message from Reyn, my best friend. Her check-in text meant the world to me, reminding me of my fortune in having her.
"Hey, good morning! What are you up to?" I read aloud, pondering my response.
I snapped a selfie with my coffee mug and replied, "Just woke up." I waited eagerly for her reply. She asked if I wanted to hang out today, and I happily agreed. She asked me to pick her up, which made me look forward to our time together.
Arriving at the café, I was struck by how Reyn sometimes felt like my soulmate. Her affection, the way she looks at me, and her gestures seemed more meaningful than those from many of the guys I've dated. She's undeniably beautiful but also my partner in mischief. We've had countless wild adventures, including that one time when I had a fight with a guy I was dating. I called Reyn, and together we drove recklessly to confront him, narrowly avoiding hitting by a truck. And she's never been without her own share of boy troubles.
