Before us...

Chapter Ten

James had often said that Milo was incapable of being in the moment. That he was always thinking ahead to the next one, never fully appreciating the present moment often imploring that he would regret that one day. That thought had smashed into his mind as soon as he accepted his new house keys from Kyle and added them to his key chain to join the keys to his car. It was why, with James's philosophy on his mind, that he decided to enter the house slowly, taking it in room by room instead of unloading his car and building the furniture that awaited him as quickly as he could.

He waited for Kyle to leave, surprised that he had been there when he arrived and watched as he drove away before he steadily slipped the biggest key into the front door.

The door was sturdy as he pushed it open and out into the entry way of his new home. Walking to the left he could see the nicely sized living room was providing a temporary home for the furniture that would soon take up residence in various spaces of the house, ready to be assembled and assigned their rooms by their new owner. His small couch that Kyle had helpfully signed for (along with everything else) sat with its back facing him, pointed towards the fireplace that would provide a warmth for his home and a comfort he sought for himself. There were no curtains or blinds that hung over the wide window that occupied the same wall as the front door, allowing a spray of beautiful bright light to sweep into the room, bouncing off the sweet eggshell walls bringing life to the room and allowing the dark wood floors to heat. Milo pulled out a pocket-sized notebook from his jacket pocket and began a list of things to buy. First; curtains. Second; rug.

There was a small portion of wall that acted as a ledge sitting next to the front door, separating it from the living area where he placed his keys for the time being as he began to move onto the dining area.

Milo passed through an arch that portioned off the front and back rooms of the house and into the dining room. He thought that the table he bought would fit nicely in here and his books and DVD's would sit nicely on the many shelves of the built-in bookcases that were embedded into the left-hand side wall. There was a fake fireplace in this room, in between the bookcases, with a black wall above it. Milo added 'Mirror' to his list. Held within the confines of the back wall sat a strong set of French doors that welcomed the same warmth as the living room window. He ran back through to the front door and grabbed his keys eager to see the outside.

The doors were shoved open once they were unlocked and Milo stood outside on top of the short porch, looking out at his garden. It was very well kempt. Due to the winter rolling in, the growing of the grass had staggered and remained at a respectable length, slightly damp from the early morning moisture, glistening in the light of the lowering sun. Enclosing the garden, were two brick walls, each standing at about 4ft separating him from his one neighbour and the sea of forest that flowed from the right-hand side and around to the back where it continued all the way down the rows of houses. Behind the trees lay the road which he had driven down an hour ago. He stepped of the porch onto the grass and saw that at the foot of each wall was a small patch of soil that stretched from one end of the wall to the other where the previous owner must have been growing something. Milo thought that he may also grow something once the weather heats up again. He made note to investigate the small shed that sat at the back of the garden when that time came.

For now, he turns back into the house, removing his now wet shoes at the door as he closes them behind him, and moves around the counters that form a short barrier line between the dining area and the kitchen. The area was small and square and provided him with everything he needed. Except a microwave and most forms of cutlery which he had completely forgotten to purchase. They were added to his growing list. There was a pristine cooker that sat in the middle of the kitchen, a counter on either side of it with a brand-new refrigerator on the right, laying against a small section of wall that was a part of yet another arch. On the other side of the kitchen was a small window that added some colour into the rather grim coloured room forcing Milo to add paint to his list of things to do and a round shaped sink sat below that. There were various cabinets, both above and below, which would have to wait to be filled as Milo had forgotten almost everything relevant for a kitchen. Including food. He made a note to buy that later today.