Learning to Heal

by Cole, R. D.

  My sister promised the movers would be here yesterday to move out the last of her non-essential things from my small one-bedroom apartment.

  Surprise, the movers never showed or worse she never scheduled them to come.

  As a single 24 year old female, I don’t need much living space; I do however prefer things have their place in my little world and these boxes do not deserve a spot here.

  My apartment is indeed small. It’s really all I need for me. I have everything decorated the way I want it and my place is cozy. It has a modern flare to it with my wall décor, curtains, and the few pieces I have scattered around. The furnishings are a slightly used leather couch and chair in the living room which makes it extra comfy and a giant sleigh bed in the bedroom. The place comes together quite well, except for the cardboard boxes I want out.

  I don’t know why I even bother getting angry. I love my sister, I do, but her lack of consideration for others amazes me sometimes.

  Chloe is my older sister, the one I always cover when she can't figure a way out of a jam. Chloe is older than me by two years, but I always thought I was the more responsible sibling.

  Ugh, to hell with her. I’m not going to dwell on the drama, at least not for the next five seconds. Then the pain of my toe smacks me in the brain, "Ouch!"

  Chloe got an amazing job, the chance of a lifetime for her. Since the offer, she has relocated herself across the country from Boston to Los Angeles. She can pursue her dream career as a sports analyst for ESPN and to be honest, I’m proud of her.

  In addition to these damn boxes, Chloe also left a wee bit of man drama here to keep in line. His name is Derrick Peters, and he is madly in love with my sister. Chloe and Derrick have been dating since they were in eleventh grade. I know that one day they will find themselves back together and get married, but for this moment he is once again waiting for her.

  This isn’t the first time these two have attempted a long distance relationship.

  I remember the day our mom and dad took my sister to New York University (NYU). I thought he was going to lose his mind. Derrick sat on the front porch as the car pulled out of the driveway and didn’t move for the remainder of the night. He was a hot mess that I couldn’t stand. Derrick was Chloe's problem to take care of, not mine.

  Here we are, six years later facing the same Chloe and Derrick drama. The wonderful kid sister I am to Chloe and best friend to Derrick, I keep him occupied and make sure he doesn't get into trouble.

  "Dude, where’s the hammer?" Derrick asks as I walk in the front door.

  "Well, hello to you too Derrick." I answer in a cocky tone.

  Even though Derrick and I met a few weeks ago, we’ve built a bond of friendship as though we’ve known each another longer.

  "I sure as hell don't know what you’re talking about. Aren't you using the hammer dude, its right there? Besides take a break from being Mr. Fix-It and grab some of this shit so it goes in the right spots this time.”

  “I’m just trying to finish off a couple of things Chloe and I had planned when we bought this house. Now since she has picked up and moved straight cross country, I have to finish what we started.” Derrick says in a pissed off tone.

  Damn Derrick, what the hell was this guy doing to his house? He’s been a real mess since I met him a few weeks ago. I moved here to avoid drama, not live with it again. After my parent’s death and my sister’s refusal to talk to me, I don't see a need to surround myself with people who are crazy.

  I busted my ass for six years after college helping dad build up the contracting business. We were damn good too. It’s amazing how one week and a bastard for a brother-in-law can ruin your life; taking hard work and dreams away.

  The abrupt decision to move from North Carolina to Massachusetts may have been a dumb idea. With no family left and losing my job I figured hell why not. After all, I’m a huge Red Sox fan.

  Thank god I was lucky when I came up to visit the city of Boston a few weeks ago. I met with Derrick after seeing an ad on Craig's List for a roommate. He had a place to live that cost little in rent, allows me to keep my dog and is in a small town not too far from the city limits. It was a perfect fit to start my new life.

  So I moved in a few days ago.

  Without a real plan or career direction, I packed up my loft apartment, loaded up the Durango, and hit the road with Manny my bulldog.

  After Derrick and I bring the bags into the house, I start to put shit away. Now that everything is in its place, I decide to help Derrick find the tools he needs for the latest house project.

  Derrick appears to be a smart man. He’s a junior partner at a prestigious law firm, but to be honest I don't know how handy he is in the home renovation department. From what I gather, he is trying to upgrade his new house little by little. Good thing he has a craftsman and building contractor living under the same roof.

  After we found the tools Derrick was looking for, I decide to take a seat on the couch. I watch as he attempts to hang a set of shelves next to the TV. The man doesn't seem to be struggling, so I figure why bother offering my help.

  I ignore him and the offbeat hammering, kick up my feet, scratch Manny behind the ears, and turn on the tube. The Red Sox are playing the Phillies, not a chance in hell the team will lose this game. Come to think of it, I need to get my ass to Fenway to watch the team play in person. Hell yea, adding that to my Boston to-do bucket list.

  The decision to move was good; a change of scenery was what I need. Derrick and I mesh well; we’re two peas in a pod. The house gives enough room to have privacy when needed and Manny is happy to have a huge backyard to run and be a dog.

  Things were starting to work out. Life is good...for now.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements