The Widow's Journey

Chapter 2

Today was the first day I had off from work, but I was still so used to waking up at 6 in the morning so naturally I did just like every morning from now on. I still hadn't gotten a letter from Chris, but I was willing myself not to worry about it- He was probably busy or something... At least, that's what I told myself. Here I was laying in my bed at what seemed like the crack of dawn just staring up at the ceiling with my arms behind my head, making up scenerios in my head of what I could do today. I really didn't have much of a life, but during my last phone call with my mum she had told me that I needed to "get out and see the world", so I decided that going for a coffee and maybe some breakfast would suffice just fine as "seeing the world". 

When I had convinced my body to roll out of bed I went straight to the bathroom for a shower. The cold air after my hot shower was like the coldest thing ever as the air stuck to my wet body, so I made sure that I quickly dried off and then went to dress myself for whatever I had planned for the day- which so far was just coffee. I was dressed and out the door by 7:10, and the drive to the coffee shop was a short ten minute drive. The aroma of coffee beans and something vanilla aroused my taste buds as soon as I entered the coffee shop. I had only been here once when I was about fifteen, and my mum had brought my sister and I for breakfast muffins. I smiled at the memory as I looked around the place before going up to the counter where there were only two people ahead of me. 

I was off in my own little world when the cashier was trying to get my attention. "Kid, do you plan to order something?" The older woman asked, and I nodded, a blush filling my cheeks. I was so caught up thinking about things that I had completely forgotten I was standing in a public coffee shop. Making sure I didn't waste any more of the poor woman's time I ordered my choice of drink, some fancy name for coffee and it involved vanilla and cream, so I took that, and I also ordered myself a blueberry muffin. I stepped aside while whoever worked in the back got my order, and the woman soon handed me a small bag for my muffin, and my cup, then I exchanged that for the money. I gave her a small smile and a 'thank you' before heading over to a table near a large window and sat down to have my breakfast. It seemed like no matter where I was or what I was doing my mind went back to Chris, and I felt like I should be worried. Then a sarcastic member in my brain says 'Oh no Harry, don't worry about him, he's just fighting in a war right now. No biggie.' I sighed deeply as I watched the city start lighting up a bit more. I've lived in Cheshire my whole life just about and ever since I can remember the city didn't start brightening up until about 8 AM. It wasn't a black hole until 8, it just looked really early and gentle outside, peaceful is more the word actually. I've always dreamed of moving somewhere different, possibly London, that's a huge city where all the big shots go. Chris always said we wouldn't make it there, so we stayed in the boring town of Cheshire no matter how hard I had always tried to convince my husband that it was time for a move. Married for a year so far and I still haven't warmed up to his stubborn ways, but hey that's marriage for you, right? 

When I finished my business at the coffee shop I threw my trash away and was out the door. I told my mum that I would come see her soon the last phone call we had, so I decided 'soon' would be today since as of now I had no other plans. My mum's house was a good half hour away from the coffee shop, so I really hoped she was awake and the drive was worth it. When I got there and rung the doorbell I half expected my mum to answer with a mug of coffee in her hand, still wearing her morning robe, but my older sister Gemma answered, and she instantly wrapped my in a hug which I gladly returned. 

"Fancy seeing you here, Gem. Where's mum?" I asked, smiling at my sister when she let go of me and let me inside. Gemma raised her eyebrow and looked up at me before she reached up to start feeling my forehead, apparently checking my temperature.  I looked at her, laughing quietly. "You know, I worry about you." I shook my head at her.