Andy's Nightmare

3. Packing up to leave

It was a beautiful spring day as Andy packed her car with the last-minute necessities for her trip. She still wasn't up to facing all the rumors that would be going around once people noticed the weight. She didn't need the rumors or the ridicule on top of everything else.

She told her friends and former coworkers that she was going to be going back to school to work on an art degree to go along with her journalism and management degrees. They knew this was something that she had been wanting to do, but that she was trying to save money to go back. This attack was the perfect excuse. They didn't need to know about the baby.

She finished packing her car and went back to her bedroom for one last look around to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything. She felt guilty about leaving without saying goodbye to Charlie since she was already at work, but they’d said their goodbyes at the party last night. She remained in her room this morning when she heard Charlie getting ready for work. She didn't want a tearful goodbye and didn't want to make Charlie late for work.

Andy had gotten a storage unit when her apartment was cleared out by the movers. They were told what items to throw away. She wanted nothing from the living room, and nothing that had been splattered with blood that was in the kitchen. She was thankful that the attack only took place in those two rooms and not in her bedroom. Janice had left her bedroom furnishings when she got married, so Andy didn't need hers, so she had them put her bedroom furnishings in storage as well. All she had to bring was her clothing and toiletries. Everything else went into storage.

Charlie had surprised Andy with an intimate dinner party with her mother and a couple of close friends the night before. Just an intimate gathering.

Her mother, of course, still wanted Andy to stop by before leaving for a private mom-daughter goodbye. Julia also claimed that she had something special to give her before she left.

When Andy arrived at her mother’s house shortly before 9 in the morning, Julia was already in the kitchen cleaning up. There was a fresh pot of coffee brewing and a brightly wrapped box in the middle of the table.

Julia heard her daughter come in and was already pouring 2 cups of coffee before she reached the kitchen. She placed them on the table and hugged her daughter before sitting and motioning for her to open the box on the table. “This is just something that I thought you'd like.” she paused then when Andy didn't make a move to take it, she simply said “Go ahead, Andy, open it.” Julia acted more excited than Andy about the gift.

Andy picked up the box hesitantly, not knowing what to think. Then as she started opening the gift, she saw that it was a small plexiglass box with red roses and 2 purple butterflies hovering above them. Julia turned it over and wound it up. It started playing a song that sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.

“This was returned to me when my mother, your grandmother, passed away before you were born. It plays ‘Rose Garden’, a song my mom used to listen to as I was growing up. And I would listen to it when you were young, and I was going through tough times. Or when I missed my own mom. It’s a reminder that just because there are thorns or problems in life, something beautiful can still survive. You’ve always looked for the good in people and things in the past until this happened. I’m sure you’ll find that again. I thought that this music box would remind you of that. I had given it to my mother and received it back when she died. And now I’m passing it on to you.”

Andy started tearing up at the thoughtfulness of her mother’s gift, thinking that her mother was right. She remembered playing with the box as a child, growing up. Andy had always been an optimist and wanted to find the good in people and things, but this man even took that from her. Would she ever be that person again? Or was she destined to question everyone that tried to get near her? Would she fear every man because of one?

Julia noticed her daughter’s reaction and went over and put her hand on her shoulder. “You know my feelings about things, sweetheart. However, I also realize that you need to do what is best for yourself and that you are looking out for this baby. Go and meet this couple. I hope they are as good as their profile and that they can love and cherish this baby as their own. I will respect your decision on this, and you have my support.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you too. I appreciate your support,” Andy says as she stands to hug her mom goodbye before things can get any more emotional. She left the keys to her storage unit with her mother before leaving.

Her mother had told her on more than a couple of occasions when she met other possible couples, that she wished Andy would let her adopt the baby so that she would be able to see her grandchild. It was her first and possibly her only grandchild, and she’d never thought Andy would give her a grandchild because, although she was only 24, she was too wrapped up in school and her management career to think about guys.

Andy had been an assistant manager at the local grocery store for the past three years, since she was 21. Sometimes putting in 60 or more hours per week. Plus, she was taking online management courses to advance even further. She was friendly and everyone loved her. Some customers would refer to her smile as infectious. But when it came to boys in school or men who came into the store, she didn’t show any interest.

And after the r**e, she couldn’t even offer them her trademark smile that she had been known for. She started avoiding the front of the store and stayed in the office working on paperwork so that she wouldn’t have to deal with the questions and looks. Most of her customers were sympathetic because they knew what had happened in January, but it was still uncomfortable.

Andy’s first job was at the grocery store, and she worked her way up to management very quickly because of her commitment and work ethic. It really wasn’t her first love, but she enjoyed it. She even took management as her double major to go along with journalism so she could be promoted even further in the company.

She used to write poetry and short stories and articles for the school paper. Maybe she could try her hand at writing for an online paper and put her journalism degree to use.

On her long drive she had time to think.

Since the assault, even her management career had suffered.

They were patient during the trial because they knew it was a strain. She tried to come back to work but froze any time a man would get too close. Even the guys from work that she’d known for years made her uncomfortable. She froze around customers who had questions or complaints. When there were deliveries, she didn’t want to be anywhere near the back of the store.

When she could no longer fulfill her duties, they had no choice but to let her go. She had been trying to put money aside ever since she started working as a teenager, so she had some money set aside for a few months, if she was careful. Maybe she will now do something with her degree.

Her teachers had always told her not to waste her writing talent, but she still had never done much writing since she had already had a management job and thought it would be a lifelong commitment. Would she be able to pick up the pieces of her life again?