When Stuff Happens

Chapter Seven

In a typical romance as soon as the damsel knocked on the door of her love and cried for help, she received it. This was not a fairytale because even in her obvious distressed state Ezra declined to allow her to stay in his home.

"I would if I could, but I can't but come in." His words scrambled in his mouth a sign he was put off by the situation. Should've known better than to look weak in front of man. They just coward at the sight of emotions.

Amor, however, took what she could get and walked inside bracing herself for the hideous décor instead she saw beige. The walls that were once decorated with tacky paintings by Sue Ellen were brimmed with a beige color by the smell of it that was a fresh coat of paint.

Ezra walked in front of her and reached out to touch her face, but she backed herself into a corner. "Um look thanks for the temporary safety but I really need to catch my bearings, so can I use your restroom?" She mumbled under her breath still attempting to gather herself after the ordeal.

He nodded silently and vigorously and pointed upstairs, "Down the hall first door on your left." He informed her and she walked upstairs.

Amor was cursing herself for putting herself in this position. Of course, Ezra did not respond well to the thought of her staying in his home. After all they only knew each other for a month and knew little to nothing about each other. The only things she knew about him were his name, his mother, his sister and his address. That's about it. Not exactly the close-knit bond to guarantee her safe passage in his home. Once she made to the bathroom, she reached to open the door, but it swung open for her. There on the other side was Sue Ellen in statuesque beauty with paint splattered on her face as well. Her expression proved that Amor's presence was a surprise.

"Amor what are doing? It is late. Shouldn't you and Ezra study at a better-." Her voice cut off as her eyes landed across Amor's face. "Oh, honey what happened? Does your aunt know-."

"I just want wash up please." Amor's tone strained but her eyes pleaded on her behalf for silence and solitude.

Sue Ellen nodded her expression softening with enough compassion to make Amor look away, "Okay I'll give you a minute but later we have to talk okay?" She persisted Amor who nodded in agreement sliding past the woman to finally enter the bathroom.

Amor steadied herself by grabbing the sink unsure if she was going to cry more or vomit. Her stomach was knotted in ways she did not was possible it made her feel sick and scared. Scared that someone she hardly knew was capable to turning from a stable, confident person to a mess of a being in a few minutes. But Flora had done just that to Amor turned her into this sobbing, sweating mess that was facing her in the mirror. Amor splashed water on her face hoping to regain the look of her former self. She patted it dry with what she hoped was a clean then sat on the toilet.

Finally, after what felt like hours she cried again. Not caring if Ezra or Sue Ellen would hear her, she sobbed between her legs. She felt her breathing becoming more ragged and her throat aching from crying. She dug her nails in her head in frustration. For the first time in a long time she felt raw and vulnerable.

'Stop crying! Stop! Stop it!' She chastised herself and eventually the sobbing was reduced to small hiccups. She went back to the sink and washed her face once more. Once she was satisfied with her clean but red face, she opened the door to another surprise, Emma. There standing in the hallway with a bucket filled with brushes and paint supplies was little Emma in a sparkling tutu. Gosh the last thing this little needed was to be traumatized by Amor's bruised face.

"Hi Emma um what are you doing?" She tried slowly to slip past the child while holding her hand close but not on her cheek. Emma was relentless with whatever mission she was on.