Low

New Home

Chapter 12

I watched the moving men carry my boxes into my new home. It was 90 degrees outside, more than I was use to.

Woman walked around in short shorts and crop tops showing off their firm bellies and round butts. Men and teens played basketball in the street or in their driveways. Children rode their bikes and little girls played hop scotch on the pavement. It seemed everyone knew each other in my new neighborhood.

" Need some help?".

I turned around to face a dark brother. His muscles glistening with sweat and his white shirt clinging to his body. He smiled and shifted his weight from one foot to the other like he was anxious.

I looked at my truck I rented and there were still many boxes that needed moving.

I thought about it for a second. Do you really want to let people in your life?

I had a quick recap of all my therapy sessions on how I should move on about my life and turned around to face the guy with the glistering muscles.

" Uhh yea. Those boxes", I pouted to the truck. " Everything has a name on it. I want them to go were they say they belong. For example, if it says kitchen, put it in the kitchen. If it says master bedroom, put it in the bedroom".

He laughed, it sounded so familiar. I couldn't really put my finger on it though.

" I'm not slow you know". And with that, he called over his friends that were in a heated five on five basketball game. " Yo! Come help me!". They all ran over and greeted me with warm smiles. Every man was a different hue, brown, light brown, chocolate, it was a sea of beauty to me.

" There she go". I heard a faint voice on the side of me. I turned my head to see three older black woman crossing the street walking my way, with pots in their hand. As they walked they smiled showing gums and all.

" Hi honey doll". The middle lady spoke first. She was the shortest of the three. Her gray short haired wig looked as if she threw it on in a rush. I could imagine her looking out her window seeing me move in, and quickly decided to be nosey and bringing food as an excuse. I played the image in my mind, seeing her almost forget her wig on her dresser and pulling it on with ought looking in the mirror. " My name is Mabel". She continued. " This right here is sweet potatoes". She opened the lid and the sweet smell hit me instantly.

" I'm Emmy". Another started, her voice was high and her skin color was higher, I could tell right off she was mixed. I made a bet with myself that her dad was black and her mom was white. From what I could tell, Emmy's hair was her own, a curly mass of white, she was also tall with the kindest brown eyes I ever seen. They were so warm looking.

Emmy put her pot down and gave me a hug, I stood awkwardly until she let go. She picked the pot and unwrapped the aluminum foil. " This here is black eyed peas."

" I am Mrs Oval Winston". The last one piped up, her voice had a boom in it, it was demanding too. " I fried up some chicken". Oval was a weird name to me. A shape? Is that the best think her parents could come up with? Oval eyes were a mixed between green and brown, it was like God took her eyes and made them a beautiful green, then got mad and kicked dirt in them. Her skin was black as night but smooth as silk, unlike the other ladies. They all had obvious aging but Oval was aging well and graceful. She stood tall and proud despite her short status.

" Done!". One of the boys came out the house and was standing in my door way.

" Oh you need help unpacking?". Emmy walked as fast as her legs could take her with Oval and Maybel tailing right behind. I looked around.

Is this a joke? Is this how everyone in Georgia are?

Everything was going so fast for me, I know I wanted to move on from my old life but I didn't think people were just gonna jump into it out of thin air.

Neither less, I enjoyed myself for the first time since Rodney died. The boys were hungry so we all ate the food the three older ladies brought over, someone even went to their house to make kool aid!

After we ate, the three older ladies started helping me move in, fussing about what should go were and such. It was a sight to see, the way they argued back and fourth, I thought they were gonna start throwing their dentures and wigs at each other.

As the evening came around my bedroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room were Put together quite nicely. Leaving me to do the spare bedrooms and basement by my self.

Even though I had a nice time with everyone, I was relieved to finally be alone in my new home.

I watched everyone leave from my living room window, mothers called their children inside and cars weren't coming as frequently as the day slowed. The sky was orange with specks of purple and yellow, such odd colors but they blended perfectly.

I walked to the front door and set my alarm on. I walked to all the windows of my home and locked every window, double checking the doors as I go.

When I was satisfied, I slipped into the master bathroom and ran myself a hot bath. The heat was more than what I could take but I got in it anyway.

The bathtub was double the size of a regular one and I patted myself on the back for choosing it, I felt luxurious.

I thought about my day and relived the moments in my mind. I was hoping that this move to Georgia would be a good one, a way for me to escape my fear.

I made a mental note to call Cindy when I got out but for now I wanted to be a regular person with no fears. Worries. Cares in the world.