Ivory Shadow

Chapter Seven: la lune

I woke up to the moonlight covering my room in a dreamy sliver color. I had night sweats and took in a long dragged breathe realizing I had been holding it since I woke up. My headache seemed to find it's way back, so I dragged my feet into the bathroom and turned on the faucet to the bathtub. There was a set of old shabby French doors off of this second bathroom that was considered mine since my mom has her own bathroom in her room. The doors faced our backyard that overlooked the tall pine trees leading into the dense forest. I opened the doors, unafraid of anyone seeing me without clothes, I had done this a million times. I climbed into the tub, and sunk into the hot bubbly water. 

Would I be able to handle this I thought to myself? First a date, then a job? My life was changing, and for once I was feeling almost hopeful. I picked up my phone, and turned on some calming music. The brisk night air flowed through the room, melting away my anxious thoughts. I was suddenly floating, and I saw Rowan walking towards me. I was reaching for him but I couldn't touch him. I awoke with panic realizing I fell asleep in the tub. I looked at my phone again and saw it was 4 in the morning. I got out of the tub and walked into my room air drying my way back into bed. I knew it was probably pointless to try and fall back asleep but I thought maybe I should try anyways, especially since I was meeting up with Rowan tomorrow. Well technically later today. But the longer I stared at my ceiling I knew it just wasn't happening. I opened my window again, the breeze causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. I uncovered the project under my sheet, and sat down on the stool, and started where I left off. I let my mind wander to the dream I had, and thought maybe I was being obsessive, and I suddenly feeling very self conscience I took the canvas off the easel and sat it in my closet. I sat on my floor and groaned out of frustration at myself. 

Eventually a warm light lit across my face, I must of dozed off on my floor, I found myself wrapped in random clothes, dazed and slightly confused. I panicked as I didn't know what time it was. I threw my hands around searching for my phone and finally found it. It was 10:42. Not long before I was supposed to meet Rowan. Mom had already left for work hours ago. I groaned loudly running franticly around my room, trying to find decent, clean clothes to wear, while simultaneously yanking a brush through my ratty tangled hair. I decided to put on my only pair of high waisted jeans with no holes, and baggy black shirt, I didn't have many dresses or fancy outfits. I tucked in my shirt, and smoothed out my hair as best I could. I grabbed my army green rain coat and my boots then sloshed through the rain to my car. 

Thankfully the coffee loft isn't far from where we live, I could walk but decided I didn't want to look like a drowned rat. The rain slowed to a slight drizzle as I made my way inside. There was a few people sitting at tables and the bar, and then I spotted the table right in front of the big window facing the street. It was small round table, with two mismatched chairs and a small petite sign that read "Reserved ".  There was two large mugs and small plates with blueberry scones, as promised by mom. I felt a surge of overwhelming gratitude towards my mom once again, she had gone above and beyond for me. I sat down in the seat facing the front entrance. Feeling too anxious to sit around and wait, I brought out my sketch pad and went back to an older piece of mine, one of my mom taking a break one afternoon, she sat at the bar while there was a slow minute and closed her eyes for just a moment. My mother, unlike I, had blonde shoulder length hair, bright blue eyes and hidden freckles that appeared on sunny days. I was shading in some of her freckles on her cheek, when I looked up and saw Rowan walk in. 

My heart fluttered. He met my eyes and smiled bright then waved at me. I waved back and motioned for him to come sit. He wore a lose fitting grey t-shirt, and jeans his black locks curled in every direction. "Hey stranger" he said as he pulled his chair out. "Hey stranger" I repeated back shyly. "This is such a cool place! Do you come here a lot?" "As a matter of fact..." "Hey Ivory sweetie! I have a new pot brewing now. And is this... Rowan?" she said slowly, with a confused look on her face. My mom sat some silverware down and waited for my reply. Boy would I hear it when I got home I was sure. "Mom, this is Rowan, Rowan this is my mother Sherry. I figured what with me meeting you're mom yesterday.." "Of course! Mrs. Garland it's nice to meet you, This is a beautiful place by the way."  he said excitedly. "It's nice to meet you too Rowan!" she said as they shook hands. "And thank you, I'm only the manager but I run a tight ship. Would you like a coffee as well Rowan?" "Most definitely thank you." My mom slowly walked away with the two mugs she set out, and a slight smile playing on her lips. "Your mom seems sweet. So are we drawing again?" he motioned towards my drawing. I had almost forgotten I was holding it. "Just working on some unfinished projects." I said while closing the page I was on. He reached across the table to stop me. "Wait can I see first? I didn't get to take a look at everything yesterday." he said playfully. "Oh I suppose.." I pretended to sigh. He chuckled and took the sketch pad from me. He studied the picture carefully. "This is you're mom then? It's incredible." he said with a hint of awe in his tone. "It is, and thank you, It made me see a different side of her that day, I really wanted to catch the moment. I saw a hardworking single mom who despite acting like wonder woman, is a real person." "That's a beautiful sentiment." We sat for a moment, staring at each other. My mother returned with our coffee and respectfully gave us privacy, which I didn't really deserve considering I didn't tell her this would be a date.