Starting Over Part 1

I sit on my bed and look around my new bedroom. It reminds me of my bedroom back home when I was a teenager. Simple, plain. Just as I am. I lay back, reminiscing about my childhood, until a knock on the door startles me out of my daydreams.

My heart nearly jumps out of my chest, my breath becoming shallow as I walk toward the front door. He couldn't have found me already. No way.

"Wh-who's there?" I stutter, trying to sound intimidating but utterly failing.

"My name's Ella, I'm your neighbor. I'm sorry, I can come back! I'll leave this pie on your table out here. Just... don't forget to grab it."

I rush over to open the door for my kindly neighbor, checking out of the peephole just to make sure it's safe.

"No, please-" I throw open the door and I became breathless at the sight of Ella. I have never seen someone so beautiful. Her heart-shaped face and bobbed golden haircut that perfectly frames it. Those big, bright sea-green eyes are the most mesmerizing thing I have ever looked into.

"Please, come in," I say as I take the pie from Ella's hands. The pie was still hot and smelled freshly baked. Cherry crumble. My favorite.

"I'm Rio," I say as Ella walks through the door, closing it behind her. I reach over her and lock it quickly. She smells like coconuts; my favorite scent. I back away, realizing she might not appreciate me being in her space.

"Sorry," I mumble, blushing from embarrassment.

"It's okay," she chuckles. So adorable. I lead her into the kitchen and I set the pie down on the table.

"So, where did you move from? And how did you come to be in our small-town?" Ella asked, sitting down in a chair, making herself comfortable. I love her confidence. I wasn't sure if I should divulge my entire story to this beautiful stranger and scare off a potential friend. I couldn't remember the last time I had a friend. He never allowed it.

"I'm all you need," he would say. I shake the thought from my head.

"I had to leave my hometown because of my abusive husband," I say. I guess I'm telling the beautiful stranger everything.

"Oh. I'm glad you got out. Everything must be so terrifying for you right now," Ella says softly, sincerely.

"Yes. They are." I say, trying to slow my racing heart. I got out. I am safe.

We talk for a few hours, telling each other our favorite things. Same favorite pie, but her favorite scent is lavender.

"Wow! What a coincidence," she says, "I hope it's comforting for you!"

I have never felt so comfortable in my entire life. I realize we have been talking for hours and I failed to offer any beverages or utensils for pie.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so rude. Let me make some coffee or tea, and get stuff for us to have pie. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I begin scrambling around for everything I need only everything I need is packed away and so I'm just pacing back-and-forth in the kitchen. My heart starts racing, I start rubbing my arms. Up and down my hands go. I can't stop them. My head starts spinning. No one is going to hit me. No one is going to hit me. I got out. I am safe. I got out. I am safe. No one is going to hit me. I think it over and over again. Am I mumbling these things out loud?

"Yeah, you got out. Yeah, you are safe," she has the voice of an angel. So soft and warm and comforting.

"Breathe with me?" Ella whispers. I nod my head and close my eyes, allowing my tears to fall. We breathe in and out slowly for several minutes. Ella starts squeezing my hands gently in hers. She starts squeezing my fingers individually, doing the same thing my therapist has been showing me to calm my nervous system. My body is shaking less, my heart is starting to slow. Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. Something smells fruity. And minty? Her breath is blowing in my face.

"Your breath smells nice," I decided I liked it.

"Thanks," she whispers still. She's so courteous.

"It's this awful tasting mouthwash my mom gave me. I love pomegranates and so my mom saw this mouthwash at the store and apparently thought I would love to give it a try," she scoffs. I smile slightly and a small chuckle bubbles out of me.

"But it's good to know it smells nice. I could have been walking around with rank breath and not even realized," she says. I start laughing, really laughing. It feels so good to really laugh. I open my eyes and find this golden-haired angel staring at me with her sea-green eyes. Her full lips smiling at me warmly.

"You okay?" She asks and I nod. She guides me back to the kitchen table and we sit down, still holding hands.

"I see the box labeled utensils over there in the corner and the one on the bottom is labeled plates and bowls. Let's start there," she says slowly. She lets go of my hand, stands up and walks over to the box, setting it down on the counter and she begins to unpack. I watch her for a minute before getting up and unpacking the other box. I pull out all of the plates and bowls and set them on the table. I will deal with them later. I grab two small plates and set them down on the table. She finishes unpacking the box and grabs two forks and sets them down on the table. She smiles at me and I frown at her.

"What's wrong?"

"I just realized all of my other kitchen things are in storage," I put my head in my hands.

"Hey, it's alright. If you need help getting your stuff from storage, I can help you. My friend will lend me his truck. We can even get him to lift the heavy stuff if you're okay with that..?" she asks. So kind.

"You'll be with me the whole time?"

"Of course," she says, putting her hand over mine where it rests on the table. How is it possible to immediately feel so comfortable with a person after what I've gone through?

"Thank you for coming by today," I say, "it really means a lot to me."

"Good," she smiles, "I'm glad I came over too. Maybe we can have pie at least once a week. I love to bake."

"I would love to help you bake. If you'd have me."

"Oh that sounds so fun! Tea and pie! I love it!" she slaps her thighs lightly, standing up.

"I better get out of here, it's getting late and I wouldn't want to keep you up," she says as she walks toward the front door. I don't want her to leave. I don't want to be alone again.

"I'll come back tomorrow," she turns, taking my hands in hers. It's like she read my mind and she smiles at me with such gentleness it makes me want to cry.

"I can walk you back to my place and we can have coffee?" she asks.

"That sounds wonderful," I tell her.

Suddenly I am anxious for a whole new, good reason.

____________________________________________________

This is the first part in a series I am working on. Thank you for reading and look out for more!