*
I woke up Monday morning on my sister’s couch. My head throbbed and my mouth had grown a field of cotton overnight. A part of me wished it was from a hangover, but it wasn’t. I had cried too much the day before. I’d said I wouldn’t cry, but I couldn’t hold back the hurt. When you didn’t know the entire truth of what was going on, it didn’t hurt so badly. But when the truth spilled its guts all over the floor at your feet, it was like a fucking knife wound to the heart.
Having no time to whine about my head, I sauntered to the bathroom and hopped into the shower. I knew Quinn, my sister’s roommate, would be up in a matter of minutes so I didn’t take my time like I wanted to. I wanted to wash away the last day as if it didn’t exist or drown myself in misery, but it wasn’t in the cards for the day. I never considered myself to be one of those women who moped for days or weeks over a breakup, and I didn’t want to start being that person.
When I was done with my shower, my skin red from the hot water I’d let pour over my body, I got dressed. I made myself at home in the kitchen and brewed a pot of coffee. It was just after seven, so I had no time to stop and get coffee on the way to class. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was supposed to go, so I wanted to be there early enough to find the room.
I’d just poured the nourishing liquid into a mug when Melanie walked into the kitchen in a white robe, her wet auburn hair hanging down to her shoulders. Most people didn’t realize we were sisters because we looked nothing alike except for the color of our hair. She was tall and thin with brown eyes, taking after our dad, where I was petite and curvy with hazel eyes like our mom.
“Good morning,” she said with a soft smile.
“Morning.” I smiled back.
She walked to the counter and opened the cabinet over the coffee pot to get a mug. “I hope you slept okay on that couch,” she offered while she poured. “We’ll get a blowup bed and we can fit it in my room so you don’t have to sleep there.”
I shook my head. “Don’t do all that. The couch is fine. I just need to see if I can find a place I can afford and I’ll be out of your hair.” I was talking out of my ass. I didn’t make enough to afford a place on my own. “Or maybe I can find a roommate. I make really good tips at Costello’s.”
“Whatever. Em, I’m not going to make you sleep on the couch and there is no rush for you to leave. If you can find something, that’s great, but if not, that’s okay, too. Just pitch in on rent and utilities and we’ll be good.”
I set my mug down and reached over to give her a hug. “You’re too good to me, Mel,” I said as my eyes brimmed with tears.
She pulled back and looked at me. “I couldn’t let my family live on the street, Em. Now, enough of that,” she commanded, pointing to my eyes. “There is no more crying allowed. Today, you’ll wear your big girl panties and head to your first day of law school.” She smiled brightly at me then grabbed her mug and headed toward her room. “Now, go finish getting ready and we’ll walk to the subway together,” she stated, making a face.
I laughed as she walked out and then closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. You can do this.
Grabbing my coffee, I headed into the living room. I loved that the wall with two windows was all brick. It brought so much character into the living space, and the oversized windows didn’t take away from it, either. They had a great view of the city, one I could stare at all day.
Walking to the far right corner, I looked through the box which held most of my bathroom stuff. I’d have to find a place to store all of my things until I could figure out what I was going to do. I couldn’t keep everything there. Mel’s closet was already busting at its seams, so none of my clothes would fit in there.
Finding my makeup bag, I made my way over to the mirror hanging in the foyer. Quinn was still in the bathroom, and I didn’t want to rush her out so I could finish getting ready.
After applying my makeup, I brushed through my hair and pulled it over my left shoulder to give myself a side braid. Once I was done, I was ready to go. I would make the best of the day. I had to make the best of the day. I was nervous as hell, but it was what I’d been working so hard toward. I’d have to put everything else behind me and just look forward. It was the only thing I could do. Everything would turn out the way it was supposed to.
*