A Simple Life: Chapter 175

In the apartment sat on the floor between my bed and the wall I hug my knees tight to my chest and shrink as small as I could possibly make myself. I could still feel Jack’s arm around my shoulders. The slap he’d given my shoulder still tingled. All over my skin crawled as my insides twisted. I’d somehow convinced myself that I’d be rid of him after going to the police and that scene down on the street had been one hell of a coming back to Earth. Jack wasn’t going to disappear that easy. As he said, this was a small island.

My eyes closed I escape. I think of nature. Far, far away from anyone. So far that I would never be found. The mountain. The forest. The ocean beyond. The pretty birds and flowers. The fresh green smells. I imagine myself out amongst it all. For the first time…there is someone there with me. Sitting at my side on the warm boulder. She is eating wild strawberries. I smile.

Reminding myself we were only half related I lock the hurt away in the space that I reserved for Jack and open my eyes. I take a deep breath and give myself a strong hug. Standing up I raise my chin. “Hahhh.”

And with that I continue on with my day. The first thing I do is get showered, shaved and changed into some fresh clothes. Those work clothes from yesterday had been on for WAY too long. Not quite brave enough to face the outside world again I instead bring the laundry inside and do it in the familiar comfort of the building. I could have done it for free at Amos and Cher’s place but after Jack I just hadn’t the social reserves to face Winona’s mother today. There might be questions and judgment and who knows what else with her.

As I wait for the laundry I do a bit of light tidying for the game tonight and quickly discover there wasn’t much to do. That’s a surprise! Either Brayden had actually picked up after himself or he hadn’t been home long enough to make a mess. My eyes are drawn to his regular dent on the sofa. Was it me or was that divot a little shallower today? It made me wonder how things were going with him and that goth gal and for some reason that makes me giggle.

After cleaning up I begin to pack. Not in a serious sort of way just yet but in a suitcase I gather up some clothes and in a box I place some photography gear along with a few odds and ends. Right on top I place the framed photo of Grandpa and me fishing. My backpack I fill some toileteries and other necessities, leaving enough space on top for the special outfit I was bringing with me.

By eleven o’clock he laundry is washed, dried and folded, the place clean, and everything I was packing packed. On the first load I ferry down I bring the laundry basket and the suitcase. As I open the SUV I pause as I catch sight of the giant cardboard box in the back. Without looking at it I carry on as if it wasn’t there. The car is loaded and soon I am on my way. Along the way I get a wonderful surprise as I see Joshua’s big box truck coming the opposite way. I catch his eyes by waving like crazy. When he spots me he grins and shoots a super cool and casual trucker wave back at me. Sitting up taller to match my lifted mood I carry on.

My first destination was the shoe store. I could have called or texted Brayden but we had more than a couple of things to talk about. When I notice the store looking dead I pull in.

When I enter the store I find the place empty and completely silent beyond the chime triggered by me entering. After a few seconds I hear through the curtains leading to the rear of the store a door slam and my roomie call out. “I’m here!” Another second later he comes bursting through the curtain straightening his tie and smoothing his hair at the same time. When sees who it is he lets out a puff of relief. “Avery! It’s you.”

“Hey.” I giggle. “Where were y-you?”

He glances over his shoulder with a grin “We had no customers so Onyx and I were just chatting.”

“Onyx?” I say. “The p-pet store…?”

“Uh huh.” He nods, his grin growing.

“He he he!”

“Duuude! She’s so cool!”

“Oh?”

“She likes to game. We smoke the same kind of weed. She’s a total bad ass. She likes to fuck. She’s a bit rough with it but… Gah! Dude, I think…”

“You’re in love!?”

“No!” He scoffs. “Pff! In love? Me!? Ha! Ain’t no bitch chaining me down.”

I bite my lips to hide my smile. “Mm?”

“Nah. But I do think that I found the one actually COOL chick on this whole damned island.” He says. “Your friends excluded of course.”

“Of course.” I say. “I’m glad you t-two are hitting it off.”

“Yeah. It’s kinda cool, ya know?”

“I know.”

“You and Winnie?”

I show him my ring, quietly preparing myself for some barbs at how effete it was. To my surprise none come. “Is that what I think it is!? DUDE!”

I shake my head. “No. It’s a p-promise ring.”

“Oh.” He lets out a huff. “I thought you were hitching up.”

“Not yet.” I smile. “But, um…w-we are moving in t-together.”

“Aw, Jesus dude. She’s moving in with us?”

I shake my head.

“You’re kickin me out!?”

I chuckle and shake my head. “I’m moving out.”

“When?”

I motion toward Amos’ car. “I already started.”

“No way!”

“I’m not l-leaving all the way r-right away.” I assure him. “I’m not l-leaving you hanging.”

“Oh.” He blinks. “Cool.” There’s a long awkward silence before he finally says. “That’s awesome, Avery. I’m happy for ya.”

“Thank you.”

Whether he meant them to or not his eyes drift toward the direction of the pet store. “Gonna have the place all to myself, huh?”

“Not for a little. I won’t b-be around much b-but I won’t be gone either. We’ve got a game tonight.”

“Ha! Cool.” His eyes light up. “Can I invite Onyx to watch?”

“Pff! You want to w-watch us?”

“Yeah! You guys are hilarious!”

“You think she’ll even w-want to?”

“I told her about last game and she was laughing.” He smiles. “She’s got a really cool laugh.”

I chuckle. “I think it’ll b-be cool.” As far as I knew the running assumption among the group was that Brayden would be there. It was his place too after all. And besides, nobody minded him there last time. I think some of them actually enjoyed the audience.

“Cool!”

“Tonight is c-costume night though.”

“What?”

“You g-gotta show up in costume. We all are. We d-dressing as our characters.”

“Kayla as Horny Fucker?” His eyes widen. “Oh fuck! Bunbun!”

“Careful. Cain’ll be there.”

“So will Onyx. Doesn’t mean I can’t look.”

“Hey! N-No lewding on my friends!”

“I’ll be good.” He crosses his heart then claps hands. “Ha! Now I GOTTA see this. We’ll be there! Costumes and all.”

“He he he!” Suddenly we had a whole party going on. “Okay, but d-don’t be distracting. W-Winona works real hard on her adventures.”

“We’ll be quiet. I swear.” After a moment his expression goes grim. “Hey, uh, you talk to Jack yet?”

“Yeah. He w-w-was at the apartment this m-morning.”

“Yeah. He’s been looking for you.”

“I th-think things will be okay for a little.”

“The cops.”

I give him a sad shake of my head.

“Shit.”

“Thank you, Brayden.” I say. “Thank f-for being there f-for me.”

“Anytime buddy.” Buddy? This was new. He sighs. “It’s probably gonna buy me an ass-kicking but it was worth it.”

“No!”

“Snitches and stitches and all that shit.” He raises a hand. “I’ll be okay. I am so fucking done with Jack and those fuck heads anyway. An ass-kicking is a small price to pay.” With a smirk he quips. “Whatever they do to me can’t be as bad as Onyx. That girl is WILD! Ha ha!”

“No. He w-won’t hurt y-y-you.”

“Avery.” He pats my arm. “It’s cool, man. It’s not your fault.”

Just then the chime goes off as a loud talking middle aged couple enters the store. Brayden gives me one last smile then turns on the salesman charm. “Sir! Madam! Welcome to the finest quality shoe store on the Pacific.”

I wished I could have said more to him or somehow assure him that Jack would leave him alone. But even had the customers not shown up I don’t know what I would have said. I give my roommate and friend a nod goodbye and fade from the store.

Back in the car I sit and ponder a few minutes. Seeing the grill in the rear view gave me hope that Jack would be assuaged at least for a little. I take a deep breath and make myself focus on the good. It really lifted my heart hearing about Brayden totally ‘not’ falling in love with Onyx. And I found myself quite curious as to what costumes they might show up in tonight. Tonight was going to be fun! But right now I had a lunch date to get to with my favoritest man in the world.

Looking to the passenger seat I smile as I see the plastic bag holding the funny gift that I got him. It was all wrapped up in newspaper so as not to tear the bag. I couldn’t wait for him to unwrap it. I already knew that he’d love it. Beside it was my backpack which I pull closer. Opening it I peer down at the soft pastel green of my sundress. The dress I’d chosen special to show Grandpa my girl side. As I feel the soft fabric against my fingertips I feel so grateful that fate had turned me away from the ‘fashion show’ last night. As the person who helped me embrace my inner baby girl it was only proper that Winona was the first to see. But after her there was only one who could ever be number two.

Chapter 176