Chapter 8 New Beginnings

The next morning, I woke up to bright sun shining through the cracks in an unfamiliar room. I blink my eyes at the blue flower print curtains in confusion. They are pretty, but I don’t recognize them. Where am I? And why am I here? I’m pretty sure I’m not in a hospital, or I think I’d be in more pain. At the moment, I only have a few aches and pains in my muscles…

I look over to the little lamp with the same flower print near the tiny table. This is not my home. It’s too peaceful and quiet. I look at the little fridge confused. Why do I need a fridge? My mind spins in circles, trying to put together the clues until my eyes land on my bag.

It takes me a few moments to remember where I am. Then slowly, the memories come flooding back to me in overwhelming clarity. And my chest starts to hurt. There has been no stopping the emotions of the last few weeks now that I’m able to think clearly.

I remember coming out of the doctors office, finding out I was six weeks pregnant, and I was so excited to tell my husband. It had been the happiest moment since I couldn’t even remember when. I was finally going to mean something to someone. I remember Chris and Michelle naked on my couch when I came home. His face was livid when he saw me. That look practically broke me. I remember Chris hitting me, Michelle’s pity, and then her dread when I spoke to her. I remember packing my bags and leaving the house for the last time. I remember telling Chris he was going to be a father right before I took off… And I remember the heartbreak of losing my baby.

Was that really all in one day? And then John pulled over to ask if I was okay… There was the doctor telling me what I already knew… Paperwork filed at the courthouse… My confinement for a week… And then I left.

Tears roll down my cheeks unrestrained as all the distress and agony play out in my mind. It hurt so badly to leave the only place I had ever known… But how could I stay there? All my memories were tainted with pain… Then the only thing keeping me there were my memories of Violet. But she’d left me years ago. She would’ve wanted me to leave, right? She would’ve wanted me to be happy and start over somewhere new.

I drove all day yesterday, and I finally came to a small town… Taylorsville. Everyone seems so nice here. No one knows who I am here. No one knows why everyone seemed to hate me back home. I’m in a little motel, and I met a nice lady last night who gave me a job… I’ll finally get my own money again, and I won’t have to share it with that devil. And she told me…

I jump up and rush to the bathroom. My heart is pounding in my chest in anticipation of the new day and new opportunities this new home has to offer me. I can’t waste it! I have too much to do this morning to lay around in bed!

I take a quick shower and put on clean clothes. I don’t have a lot, so I just throw on a pair of jeans and a pink top that fits me snuggly. I don’t have any food, since I didn’t have time to go shopping last night and I have nothing in my car. I’ll have to find something quick while I’m out. I grab my wallet and keys, and I’m out the door.

I hurry down the stairs when my eye catches the vending machine. Wow! I totally forgot about those. Thank the Lord above, I may have something to eat after all. They have bagels and cream cheese and orange juice! Perfect.

I grab my quick breakfast and head to my car. I sit in my car chewing on my bagel while I think hard, trying to remember the instructions she’d given me last night. Marge said to go down… Jericho again and find Day Lily Drive… That’s a pretty name for a street. Actually, the street names have all been pretty here.

I take a sip of my OJ and look out over the blue sky. I love springtime. It feels like a new life. New beginnings. New hope… Which is exactly what I need right now. I have been given a new opportunity to get my life together after all the hell I’ve been through. I smile at the thought.

I finish my breakfast after a couple of minutes and pull out onto the road. I make my way back to Jericho and go up. Only a couple blocks there is a street named Day Lily Drive. I smile, and this will be really close if I can make it work.

I go down a few more blocks, and there on the right is Fox Hollow Apartments. They look nice… A little like college dorms, but I can live with that. They actually look really busy with people coming in and out of the parking lot and in and out of their rooms. There is a cheerful vibe around here that I like. This is exactly what I was looking for!

I found a spot to park in front of the office. The door is open, and I am met with a twenty something guy playing on his phone. As I enter, he stares and stares up at me before he smiles. He’s cute! His hair is all messy brown waves, and he has sparkling hazel eyes. I blush instantly.

“Hey, I’m Josh. How can I help you?” He asks politely, putting his phone on the desk and giving me his undivided attention.

“Umm.. Hi, I’m Ivy… And Marge said you may have student housing here?” I ask quietly. I am so embarrassed. Why can’t I talk right in front of a boy? Has it been so long since one was nice to me? I guess the answer is yes, because I can’t control my blush.

“Actually, yeah. We have a couple of rooms available if you are interested. Do you have a roommate, or is it just you?” He asks, a small smirk playing on his lips.

“Um.. It’s just me,” I blush deeper. I’m sure my cheeks are clashing terribly with the color of my hair by now! Maybe I should dye my hair black…

“No problem. The single rooms are $700 a month, if that’s good for you?” He smiles brightly, making my heart skip a beat. I wish he wouldn’t do that…

Then I think about what he actually said. I think I can do $700 if I keep things simple. I still have close to $4000 in my account right now, and with my new job… I think I can make this happen.

“Sounds good,” I smile back, having made my decision, and the weight of the stress from being homeless dissolves in a sigh of relief.

“Great! The rooms are ready to move in. Are you planning on moving in today? We can get you some help with packing…” He smiles as I hand over my card.

“Actually I don’t have a lot. I basically have a backpack, and I was hoping I could move in tomorrow?” I ask. Why am I asking? Do I need his permission to wait for a day before I bring my backpack here?

“Sure. Sounds good! Tomorrow’s Saturday. There will be a lot of students hanging around if you need anything,” he smiles, handing me back my card. “So, your new home is room 121. If you’d like to go, take a look?” He says, standing up with my key.

“Yes, that would be wonderful,” I giggle. I can’t believe it! I’ve got my own place, and no one will kick me out! I am so happy right now! I am finally doing something just for me!

“Let’s go!” Josh chuckles leading the way. “So, Ivy, where are you from? I haven’t seen you around here?” He asks casually, walking by my side.

“Oh, well, I just moved from Oklahoma. I needed a new start,” I say vaguely.

Josh nods his head. “Yeah, I had to leave my parents back in Georgia. I needed a new start, too. This is a great place full of fun and friendly people. You should fit right in,” he smiles at me, and I could swear his cheeks are turning pink.

Just down the row of apartments, we come to room 121 and he inserts the key, swinging the door open, flicks on the light and waving with his right arm, “Well, welcome to your new home Ivy. I hope you like it here,” he says with a wink.