Starting Over Part 2

Be advised, this piece includes some graphic descriptions of abuse.

Ella has lived in this small town for 5 years now. In those 5 years she made 2 friends. Charlie was the one neighbor to greet her and bring her a pie on the day she moved in. Ella nearly cried at the gesture, she thought it was so sweet and neighborly. Charlie was the one and only friend she had until their partner beat them to death. At Charlie's funeral, Ella met David. David and Charlie were childhood friends; he had just moved back into town the day before Charlie died. He hadn't even gotten to see Charlie before their death. He was devastated and often sought out Ella for a shoulder to cry on. They quickly became best friends in the months following Charlie's death. Ella could see herself settling down with David; it would be so easy. But ever since Ella was in middle school, she knew she was a lesbian. David figured, but still tried to give it a shot and kiss her one night anyway after too many vodka cranberries.

"David, I'm gay," she whispers onto his lips.

He groaned, "I figured. I thought I'd try anyway. You never know."

They laughed for a few minutes about how offensive she thought that line was, snuggled back up together and continued their movie. To Wong Foo, Charlie's favorite.

So when Ella discovered she had a new neighbor across the street from her, she wanted to continue Charlie's kind gesture of taking a pie to them. Ella made cherry crumble, Charlie's favorite pie, the pie they brought to Ella when she first moved in.

When Ella took sight of petite Rio, her hair pixie-short and very dark black hair with pale skin and dark circles under her eyes, her too skinny body. An exhausted-looking Snow White, she thought. Ella knew immediately this poor woman has escaped something. Ella asked Rio how she came here to the small town. Rio was quiet for a moment, contemplating, Ella thought.

"I had to leave my hometown because of my abusive husband," she mutters, barely loud enough for Ella to hear. Ella wished so much that Charlie could have escaped, it made her heart sink. She felt proud of this young woman for her ability to escape her situation and start over. Ella felt relief Rio found herself in this place specifically. She didn't believe in any deity, but something seemed at work here.

They talked for hours, Ella being as kind and gentle as she could so Rio would know she is safe. Safer now with Ella as her friend. She would not allow what happened to Charlie happen again. Not to this beautiful small person. This person she felt so connected to, had so much in common with. Rio had a lot in common with Charlie as well. All three of them loved cherry crumble pie. Ella couldn't help but notice the tells of an abused person now watching Rio. So many red flags she missed when Charlie was still alive but suffering. It broke Ella's heart to see Rio almost crumble with fear in front of her, whispering to herself "I got out. I am safe." Ella held her hands and breathed with her to help her calm down. It caught her off guard when Rio told her that her breath smelled nice. But she remembered that disgusting mouthwash her mother gave her and told her the story. It helped a little; Rio laughed.

Ella tried to remember the strategies her therapist taught her when she was anxious. This led to Ella helping Rio unpack some of her boxes for the kitchen and offering hers and David's help to retrieve the rest of Rio's belongings.

"You'll be with me the whole time?" Rio asked her, fear lacing her tone. Ella knew David would never hurt anyone. Not after what their friend went through. They would tell Rio the story together. On one of their pie nights perhaps. Ella was excited to have someone else to bake with. Charlie loved to bake with her. David not as much, but he loved to be a taste tester.

As Ella was leaving she saw the fear in Rio's eyes; fear of being alone. Ella held Rio's hands for what she thought was the millionth time and told her she will be back in the morning. They will have coffee. Or tea. Whatever Rio preferred. They could eat breakfast, bake a pie together. Maybe invite David over if Rio is comfortable with that. Ella's heart felt full again. Full of love and purpose. She had a new friend, someone she can help keep safe this time.

Ella tossed and turned that night. Remembering the look in Rio's eyes as Ella was leaving. The same look Charlie would have as she left their place, she realized. Left them alone with that monster. Charlie's eyes were so desperate and pleading. How could Ella have missed that? How many nights did she leave Charlie to be beaten? Ella's guilt ate at her every day and every night for months after Charlie's death. Her sobs shaking her entire body, her heart tearing itself apart bit by bit. David took her to therapy where the therapist told her it was not her fault she didn't know, wasn't her fault, wasn't her fault, wasn't her fault. This mantra repeated day by day until she started to believe it. Except on the nights when she couldn't. Nights like tonight where her nightmares paralyzed and silenced her; where she's looking through Charlie's window watching them be beat. Bloodied and crawling toward her as if she could do anything. All she could do was watch. She would wake up screaming Charlie's name, her voice hoarse the rest of the day, no tea or hot drink soothing it away as if to keep reminding her of her failures. But she wouldn't fail again. She couldn't fail again.

The next morning, as promised she walked across the street to retrieve Rio and walk her back over to Ella's house. Ella saw the curtains move slightly and just as she walked up to the door, Rio swung it open. The smell of coconut and vanilla brushing past her face.

"You look like you didn't sleep well either," Ella tells her as she notices the dark circles under her eyes. Darker today.

"Why didn't you sleep well?" Rio asks. Unsure if she should tell her, Ella pauses a moment. But Rio would understand, she knew.

"Paralyzing nightmares." Ella states. Rio looks at her with sad eyes. Ella takes Rio's hand in hers and guides her to her house.

"Would you like to bake a pie with me today?" Rio asks her. Ella stares at Rio and gives her a sad smile. She sees Charlie standing before her, smiling that wide-toothed smile. And then she blinked. And Rio was smiling at her with raised eyebrows.

"I would love to bake a pie today with you today," Ella breathes. They smile at each other and continue across the street to Ella's house, starting over together.

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Stay tuned for more of Rio, Ella and David's stories! Thank you for reading!!