Chapter 14
1583 Words
“It’s nice, right?” the man that was taking me around the place with two bedroom and a small kitchen was smiling all over his face when I didn’t answer, just walking around the empty place that was what I needed. A fresh start for me and my girl, that was already due to be born; maybe she knew what was coming and had changed her mind; I wouldn’t blame her.
“I don’t hate it…” I said it back cautiously; I still didn’t like to speak to strangers, and that’s why this was so hard; being alone and trying to talk to someone about getting a place, even going to the store to get food, and still, I was doing it.
“Yeah, I know it’s not top-notch or anything, I’m on the renovations, but I’m on my own, and I just bought this place, but it would be a good start for you and….” The guy was staring at my belly like he was afraid to call me pregnant, to my smirk, really? I was due any second, and he was scared to ask; that was kind of cute.
“It’s fine; I know it takes time; my dad’s a contractor...” I hated that I sounded hurt thinking of Dad just leaving me. However, still, I didn’t hate him for just taking off, he was drowning being back home, and all he and Mom ever did was fight; I would have run sooner if I wasn’t so f****d up….
“Yes, yeah, I know of him, Thompson, right?” I nodded, unsure if I liked that my potential future landlord knew my dad; I just wanted some damn air and not to be smothered by... everything that had been around me for the last year.
“Yes, that’s him….” I got silent when we were still standing in the empty place, trying to avoid eye contact suddenly, not wanting to talk about my dad more; it was stupid, to begin with…
I cursed myself when the guy cleared his throat, feeling the tension from the topic; I hated that I was still hurt over my dad’s abandonment. I was an adult by now and should know better why it didn’t work out.
“Yes, well, I’m more of a hands-on kind of guy, so I’m probably going to come around, and if there is anything, you can just call me, okay?” He gave me a friendly smile that I nodded at; I guess it wouldn’t get better than this, and it wasn’t that bad of a place; it just needed some… cleaning and paint.
“That’s great…” I wasn’t sure what to say more than just sign the damn contract and start figuring out how I was supposed to get my stuff over here when I wasn’t on speaking terms with… anyone…. I sighed when the man went out, and I followed, wanting to just rest; I hated that my life had come to this, alone and helpless, just like always.
“Hey, I don’t mean to pry or anything like that, but aren’t you that girl that’s married to Dylan Hopper?” I had just signed my name on the lease, seeing that I still had to sign Hopper before the divorce was over, closing my eyes before answering; he just had to ask, hadn’t he? Like he didn’t know that already? My name was right there on the damn paper!
“Yes, that’s me.” He must have seen my eyes go dark when I leaned back up and stared right back; what?? Didn’t he want me as a tenant because of Dylan? Was that it??
“Yeah, I heard he got locked up and...” I grunted at his stupidity; why didn’t he ask me what he wanted? If I was crazy and had ruined Dylan’s life forever, marrying him and almost being raped by one of his friends?!!
“Yes, that is also right, and everything else you have heard. That I’m crazy and desperate! You don’t think I know what people are saying about me??” I couldn’t take one more person staring and judging me, I didn’t make anything up, but people around here still blamed me!
I was still panting from being upset, ready to walk out the door; screw that guy and this apartment; I would find someone else that didn’t ask questions about my past! Maybe I could find someone that had been living below ground the last year, who knew!?
“Hey, wait… I don’t even know what happened; I just heard some gossip you married some bad guy that f****d around a lot; I didn’t mean to offend you, really….” I stopped hearing the confused and slightly annoyed guy named Travis, and I hadn’t cared to learn it since he would not be a part of my life more than give him money to live somewhere.
“Oh….” I didn’t know what to say anymore; maybe he didn’t give a s**t about me and just wanted my money; that would be great if it was like that.
“Yeah, don't worry, I don't care, I'm not from around here; I bought this house on auction through my phone and wanted to start over..." he stopped when I nodded, sure. I could get that, wanting to start over, even if it was in f*****g Perryville, of all places.
"Okay... just... don't ask me questions, and I won't ask you, alright?" I had picked up my phone, not really knowing what to do, so I had a place, but I wanted my stuff; I was so not wanting to start buying all the things I needed all over again for the fifth time since I got pregnant!
"Hey, Travis..." I said his name hesitantly; he was my age, I think; maybe I should have just said Mr. Palmer, but he didn't look like one, and I wanted to try to be more... friendly to people... since I sucked at it.
"If you have the time, could you help me get some of my stuff over? I can pay you, of course!" I regret saying it the second it was out, seeing the guy's face like he really hadn't expected me to ask him that, yeah. I felt just as stupid as I looked.
"Sure, p*****t in advance, and I can pick your stuff up; if we need a trail, you are paying for that too..." He smiled when I was still unsure if he was serious or not, really? He would do that for me, a stranger? Then again, I was paying him... I guess it wasn't that strange...
"Great, I kind of need it... like right now..." I was more embarrassed; I had nothing, no car, no furniture, or even a bed to sleep in when I was standing inside the new home I had rented from my incarcerated husband, soon-to-be ex.
"Oh, right now? Yeah, that's not going to work out; I'm sorry, I got other stuff to take care of..." he was giving me an apologetic face when I felt terrible again, trying to not start to cry before the man that I didn't know, great work Jen, just as always thinking people would just drop everything for you.
"It's fine, I understand..." I wouldn't give in to the tears, feeling sorry for myself; that wasn't what I wanted to be anymore, not when I was on my own for the first time, and my baby was being born; God help me.
"Look, it's not like I don't get it, but I can't just stop my day to pick up your stuff; you get that, don't you?" Travis looked like he regretted signing me on when I nodded, feeling the first tears start to fall, goddammit... I turned around, not wanting to show him how pathetic I was. No more pity; I couldn't stand it.
"You know what? I can get my spare bed, but I don't have my stuff either; I'm still waiting to get shipped over here..." he said, sighing when I turned back, my nose running. Wanting to just thank him for taking pity on me and still not wanting anyone else in the world to ever look at me again, I was complicated.
"Thanks... really... thank you... Mr. Palmer..." I was saying the last name; maybe it was for the best, I didn't want to have another relationship, and so far, by now, I wasn't doing so good handling anyone of the guys that I had been dating.... ish.... s**t.
"Call me Travis, okay?" he looked nicer again when I smiled back, okay... Travis, it was...
"You going to have to wait until tomorrow, but I can get you the spare bed before tonight; sound good?" He gave me another smile when I felt better; that would be great.
"Thanks again, and Travis... I'm sorry for acting like this...." I said back, trying to smirk, but it just came out sad, making me feel worse every second. I guess it wasn't a secret that I was messed up; I was just happy to have somewhere to stay that wasn't my homestead or Dylan's place that was killing me with memories I didn't need to have; we were over. Love or not.
"It's fine, you have a good one, alright, Jennifer..." he smiled when I nodded back, seeing him leave me in an empty apartment; yeah, sure...
- Writer
