The Divorce

42

Being back at home was strange.

It almost felt like I had never left, and that familiar old home smell drifted into my nose as I pushed the door open with my foot and then rolled my suitcase in.

"Hello!" I called out, knowing that there was no one there to greet me. Kyle had left a while ago so, it was an empty home, just the same I liked it. Yet, as I closed the door and locked it behind me, it almost felt too quiet, for the first time in my life I felt like it needed some noise. 

Maybe it was because I was surrounded by people this entire past few weeks and I almost got used to them like you get used to the sound of rain on your roof, or white noise when you go to bed. The mysterious ringing noise that comes and goes and you're not sure if it's from y our fridge or TV or your ears are dying on you. 

"Honeyyyyy, I'm home," I called out, and peered into the darkness as I turned on a light trying to hear any strange noises. It was also a good way to check that no one was in my house, that shouldn't be, like a killer or burglar.

But it wasn't like they were going to respond to it either. 

My phone buzzed in my pocket reminding me that I forgot that I was meant to message Gabriel when I had entered my unit. oops.

I responded quickly that I was home and threw my phone onto the couch. First thing is first.

I rolled my suitcase to the bathroom, unloading most of my clothes into the laundry basket, including some of my new dresses that had defaulted their way home. I'm pretty sure that these new clothing had to be dry cleaned, but who could afford that.

Maybe future me, but not current me. I hadn't been paid yet. 

After having a long shower I wrapped myself up in a fluffy robe and collapsed on the couch checking my messages. There were no messages from Kyle, who I had left three voicemails to say I was home so could talk at any time.

Gabriel had responded with a thumbs up to my message that I was home.

My sister had left three voicemails, all which I didn't want to open and Fern had given me a missed call four hours ago, but I literally shared the car ride with him here so I guess he wouldn't spoken to me if he needed to.

I placed my phone on the couch next to me as I kicked my feet up and turned on the TV finding some trash rom com hallmark style movie to watch. Something mindless in the background while I rotted enjoying my semi-comfy couch. 

I liked this remember, I told myself. The quietness of living along, being able to have girl dinner, also known as eating whatever you could find while you rotted watching movies and scrolling social media on the phone at the same time. 

An hour into mindlessly scrolling on my phone there was a knock on the door that I wasn't expecting.

I almost groaned as I got up from being warm under all the blankets as I looked through the peep hole. A delivery man?

At this hour?

I opened the door peeking out, "Hello?"

"Delivery for you."

"I didn't order...pizza," I said looking down at his hands. 

"Are you Aurora Rodriguez?"

"Yeah..."

"Then this pizza is for you," he said looking up through his glasses. 

"I didn't order it," I opened the door wider. 

"Look lady, just take the pizza I don't get paid enough. Your name matches the delivery name and address, otherwise I'll just leave it here and you can chu-," he started to bend down and I quickly opened the door wider reaching for it.