Life Isn't all Happiness

Chapter 1

The front door to my small house finally opened after a slight push of the shoulder. I keep telling myself that I need to fix that, but never seem to have the time since I'm too consumed with my job. I could always call someone to come and fix it, but that also means being home all day after being told somebody will come out to fix the door at a time gap between 10 am to 5 pm. Stepping inside, I close the door with a kick of my heel, hearing it slightly slam closed against the frame. Locking both locks, I set my house and car keys in the hand-crafted spruce wooden bowl sitting on top of a table near the front door. I'm somewhat glad I decided to use a bowl by the door since I tend to lose track of where I placed my keys last. I sigh out loud, having the day wash through my mind and remember how much I push myself a little too much.

I walk through the small hallway directly in front of the entrance; my heels clicking on the oak wooden floor, passing by countless of old family photos that hang on the walls, the moonlight shining a pathway directly ahead coming from the kitchen sliding glass doors. Upon entering the kitchen, I flick my left hand against the wall, switching the light on to illuminate the room. I turn to my left and open the fridge to grab myself a bottle of water, opening then drinking a couple big gulps of fresh liquid to satisfy my somewhat dry throat. I lean against the black marbled bar, crossing my arms over one another, looking down towards my feet.

My navy-blue suite pants are slightly wrinkled from my busy day and my heels most likely got a little more scuffed up and broken into from all the walking around I had to do. I took off my bag and my similar navy-blue suite coat and nicely draped it over one of the barstools with the bag placed on the cushion. I turned my attention to the right where I had a small connected living room with a love seat, glass table and 60" TV hanging from the wall. Having my kitchen and living room attached has its advantages during times when I don't feel like eating at the dining table or when I feel like watching some TV. A long wooden table is placed against the wall, holding my house phone and countless medical papers from all the previous times I've lived alone. Seeing my house phone, I noticed the red light was flashing, indicating that someone left a message.

Walking to the phone, I clicked the play button, placing my hand on the table and started taking off my heels.

"You have one new message," the mechanical voice said, beeping to start playing the message.

"Hey girl!" a familiar voice cheered through the machine. A small smile made its way on my face knowing who was the one talking. "I know I said I would be able to make it today to have lunch with you, but I'm sure you're busy with work, like always. Plus, I also couldn't make it because Jemma got sick, so I had to stay home and to take care of her."

The smile I had on my face slowly started to fall to then fully vanish as if it was never there. She stayed home to take care of her wife; she has the luxury of doing that.

"Rach, I'm sorry," Sandra sighed. "But I'll make it up to you tomorrow. So, be ready for me to pick you up at your office, if you're there, and we'll grab lunch. Promise! I know how most days you're usually busy with work and tend to ignore your phone, so I decided to call your home phone. I know you'll get my message this way! Anyways, wanted to call to tell my not showing up today along with hoping you have a Happy Birthday. I'll see you soon, girl!"

The message ended there. I clicked a few buttons, remembering by heart on how to delete it. Once I finished, I just stood there leaning on the table. I can't believe I forgot again... it's my birthday today. The only friend I have couldn't hang out because her wife was sick. I'm not upset at her; she needs to help her wife so she can feel better. No family called at all today either, then again what family? The last of my family that hasn't died yet don't care about me other than Jennifer, and quite frankly they haven't ever kept in contact since they found out about my condition. They assumed why care about a girl who would soon die.

Holding onto my heels, I grab my coat and bag with my free hand and walk to leave the kitchen to head to bed. Flicking the light off, I turned to the opening on the left not that far down the hallway from the entryway. My marble and wooden desk sat near the glass windows covered by blinds, filing cabinets cover the right side against the wall, and a bookshelf lay on the left hand side with countless of old classics, teen drama, romance, and so on. I placed my bag on top of the desk as I was walking by.

Going to the closed door directly ahead of me, I opened it to be greeted by my bedroom. A queen-sized bed with a black comforter and green pillow sheets took up the middle of the room with identical nightstands on either side. Both nightstands are holding lamps, the one on the left held a book and alarm clock showing the time to be 9:27 pm. I walked to my right and to my dresser. I opened it to grab a pair of shorts and a tang top. Opening another draw, I grab a clean pair of underwear and headed to the ajar door behind me that lead to my bathroom.

I turned the lights on, setting my clothes on the counter next to the sink. Turning the shower on, I waited for it to get to a warm temperature before stepping in. For a good two minutes I sat underneath the shower head. I have to visit the doctors again two days from now for a checkup on my health.

After washing my hair and cleaning myself, I dried myself off with a towel and changed into my fresh clothes and headed back to my bedroom. I sat down on the bed with the side that had the book on the nightstand. I turned the lamp on, lighting my room with more than the moon peeping through the curtains and started reading where I left off from the previous night.

I couldn't really pay attention to what I was reading, for there was a sudden pain in my chest. I clutched a hand to my chest, bent my body close to my knees and groaned in pain. It became hard for me to breathe, making me open the draw to the nightstand and pull out my oxygen mask and small tank. I held the mask over my mouth and twisted the knob to let the oxygen come out and into my lungs. Leaning back into my pillow against the headboard, I tried to calm my breathing the best I can. It took 10 minutes for the pain to go away.

How much longer do I have to handle with this pain? It keeps coming back, but stronger and more frequent. I turned my tank off and placed it and the mask back into the draw. I closed my book and placed it back next to the lamp.

Turning the lamp off, I lay down in bed, bringing the covers up close to my neck and tried to fall asleep. The last thing on my mind before I fell asleep was wishing myself a Happy 23rd Birthday.