How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

4- Happy Endings

Anthony

It's been a few days since Clara moved in and things have been running smoothly. She's gotten comfortable and really helps out around here. I'm most defiantly not the cleanest person in the world but she's got this place looking nice. She doesn't really leave all that much, just stays inside and reads whatever Farrah brings her. I don't blame her for staying in here, the world is a cruel place out there.

So we've been kind of hanging out in the apartment when we can, just watching movies or something. I almost got the spare all taken care of I just needed a few more things to make her feel comfortable. There was no time limit as to how long she was able to stay here. It could be weeks or it could be years, whatever she needs to feel like she is wanted here on this earth, because I can promise you, she is.

I wake up early one morning to get a drink so I head into the kitchen. But I stop when I smell food and coffee and get confused for a second. Then I remember Clara is here and that's probably just her, she loves to cook.

I walk out and see her in nothing but one of my shirts and a pair of underwear and her hair thrown up on top of her head. Her long legs bare and out for the world to see as she walked around the kitchen. My eyes open wide once I realized what I just walked in to. I wanted to walk back into my room and give her some space but I couldn't. I was frozen as I watched her cook breakfast.

She had two cups and two plates out on the island as she fills them with food. I look around and the place was spotless and I had to admit, I could get used to this.

I clear my throat and she quickly turns around. As soon as she realized she was wearing nothing but my one of my shirts she starts to blush and it was really cute.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think you would get up this early" she admits. 

"I couldn't go back to sleep" I explain and she nods. "Where did you find that shirt" I ask and she starts to laugh.

"It was wedged between the cushions on the couch" she claims and I smile. "Farrah gave me some incredibly cute clothes, but I can't sleep in them. Did you want it back" she asks pulling at the material making it lift a little showing her white underwear. I swallow hard as I try my hardest not to stare.

"No. It looks better on you" I claim and she blushes again. "And you didn't have to make me a plate" I say pointing to the food.

"Maybe they're both for me" she jokes and I laugh.

"Where could you possibly fit all of that in your body" I question.

"I'm like a vacuum" she claims.

"I'll believe it when I see it" I insist.

"Well I'm going to finish up getting food made then get changed then we can enjoy some breakfast" she says and I nod.

"That sounds wonderful" I admit.

I closely watch her as she finishes up making the food. Her long wavy brown hair in a bun on top of her head and a little to the side so it doesn't rest on her wound. The material of my shirt hung loosely on her body not showing off much, but still leaves me wondering what she looks like under that shirt. But I let her be because I know she just got out of a really bad relationship and I needed to help her heal.

She eventually changes and comes back in jean shorts and a Cubs tank top. I smile as she bares arms and legs, she usually didn't. But something seemed different about her today. She had this glow and a little bit of a pep in her step.

"Thanks for making breakfast, this is amazing" I admit before stuffing my face with another fork full of food. I haven't had a breakfast that didn't come from a brown paper bag or a box in so long.

"It was my pleasure. I'm glad you like it" she admits.

"So what's your plans for today" I wonder.

"I'm not sure" she admits. " I don't think I have any unless I need to baby sit for Jon and Farrah."

"When are you going to start working again" I wonder.

"Well I haven't had any contact with anyone for a little over a week now so I'm not sure. Plus I have no supplies" she explains.

"Yeah, we should get you a phone at least" I insist.

"I don't think I want a phone" she claims and I look at her weird. It's 2015, who doesn't want a phone?

"Why not" I ask.

"I don't want to risk him finding me" she whispers and my heart sinks. I hate that he's so in her head.

"He won't. I'll put in my number and Farrah and Jon's in there. Don't call their house phone or get on social media and it'll be impossible for him to find you" I explain. "I leave tonight for our first away series and I would really like if you had a phone so if you need anything or had any questions that you could easily reach me."

"I guess that could work" she says and I nod.

"Perfect. Are you going to come with me" I ask and she sighs.

"I'm not sure" she admits. "I don't do that great out there" she claims as she fiddles with her hands sitting on the island.

"I don't think that's true" I insist. "You're a wonderful person. Staying in here is a waste of a life. And you said it yourself, no one should be wasting time here on earth" I say and she smiles.

"Nice to know you listen to me" she teases and I laugh.

"When it comes to you I'm all ears."

Eventually we get up to go out and find her a phone, nothing too fancy, no social media apps and it's super hard to track. With her ex being a policeman I'm sure it would be easy for him to find her if she got a smart phone. So she chooses the one that gets the job done and it's the one she wanted. I told her she didn't have to find a cheaper one but she insisted that she wasn't all that good with technology anyway.

About halfway through getting her set up I thought I lost her but I quickly find her a few isles down of the Target we were at. She was staring at a bunch of art supplies and canvases and other painting things. She was wearing a smile big enough to light up the whole store.

"Do you want those" I ask as she studies them.

"I wouldn't even know where to start" she admits.

"What did your other art studio look like" I ask and she turns to me.

"It was bright. So much light surrounded by such darkness" she explains. "It was my happy place. A little room where nothing could ever hurt me, I wouldn't let it. It's where my imagination could run wild and I could draw up whatever it was that was inspiring me at the time" she explains.

"What's your favorite thing to paint" I wonder.

"Alternate endings" she claims.

"What do you mean" I ask.

"I paint what would happen if things ended differently. You know, the what if's, I give them a reality" she says and I smile.

"That's really cool" I admit.

"It's inspiring" she claims before looking me into my eyes. "To have the power to give someone a happy ending."

"What would be your happy ending" I ask.

"I'm not sure yet. I haven't thought about my happy ending" she admits.

"Well I guess we need to get you some supplies so we can find out" I say and she smiles big. For the first time it was a real smile, and not a scared one. You could see dimples in her cheeks and it was actually really cute.

"I guess so."